Last minute in floor questions

[mnwebb]

Hi all,

I have about a week before my floor gets poured and it's a 34x26' monolithic slab.

This forum has been very helpful, but there are a few details about the in-floor heat that I haven't figured out and need help with;

- Where the pex comes out of the floor you can either have a slab manifold (designed to sit on top of the insulation, wire mesh or rebar before you pour the concrete) or a wall mounted type. The floor one takes up a small amount of floorspace but protects from uv, are there any other benefits? Seems like you could easily cover the pex if it was going up the wall a bit so the tubing isn't exposed.

- Do most ppl just use a wall mounted thermostat or an in-floor sensor, or both? Can any brand of wall mounted be used?

-What type of things do I need to ask my local city about codes?

-There will be a set of stairs, I assume I should not put the pex under the floor in that area?

-The concrete person wants the pex to be stapled to the insulation, not tied to the rebar. I assume that works but not as well as tying it off? He also wants to use screed sticks through the VB, thus causing holes in the barrier. How bad it that?

Thanks so much for all your thoughts!
-Wilson

 

[mnwebb]

Where have all there gurus gone?

 

[finn]

Do a search.

 

[mnwebb]

Thanks so much Finn...wow...never considered that ��

 

[brewchief]

I would use a standard wall mount manifold, use a pvc electrical 90 where it turns up to give some protection at floor level.

More people use a standard wall mount thermostat but I would prep for a slab sensor, most of the time it's just a piece of pex that goes out into the floor that's capped at the end.

You will want to pressure test the tubing and keep pressure on it during the pour, this way if the concrete guys pierce a tube you will know it.

You don't need the pex under the stairs, if you are planning on a future lift then leave it out in that area as well and get good measurements so you know exactly where it is clear.

I prefer tieing to mesh instead of stapling but the staples will work.

 

[spudley]

Hi all,



He also wants to use screed sticks through the VB, thus causing holes in the barrier. How bad it that?

Thanks so much for all your thoughts!
-Wilson

I wouldn't want holes in the VB or insulation. It might take a little planning around the pex/rebar but he could free float screed boards without any punctures and move them as needed. Just did that on my pour (24' x 40') last week. We didn't poke one hole in the VB, and my guys are old farts and not
concrete pro's.

 

[finn]

Thanks so much Finn...wow...never considered that ��

Lots of threads on in floor heat, with lots of experiences, opinions, and recommendations in the archives.

No one size fits all answers, though.

You’re going to get more information doing a search than waiting for answers, in my opinion.

Interest in radiant heat peaks in the fall and early winter, and so does forum traffic.

This time of year everyone is thinking a/c, so that’s where the traffic is.

 

[mnwebb]

Thx guys! Spudley, I'm still trying to get my concrete guy to do a floating method but he's stuck in his ways!