DIY: Underfloor Heating in the UK
- 1). Make a drawing of your floor, including the layout and orientation of the floor heating cable or mat. Calculate the area of the space in which you plan to install underfloor heating. You will not install underfloor heating beneath such fixed objects as kitchen units, baths and toilets, so deduct the area of these objects from your total floor space.
- 2). Clean the floor thoroughly, making sure that you remove all loose particles of dust and debris.
- 3). Apply floor primer to the floor if the surface of the floor is not level. Follow this by applying cement or self-levelling compound. Spread the cement or self-levelling compound with a serrated mastic trowel and apply firm, even pressure to a floor leveller to work the material into corners and around fixed objects.
- 4). Cut the heating cable or mat to the desired size. In the case of heating mats, cut the fibreglass mesh and not the heating elements themselves.
- 5). Lay the heating cable or mat out on the floor in accordance with your drawing and fix it to the floor with tape. Cover the cable or mat with levelling compound or adhesive, making sure that the heating element is completely encapsulated. If you plan to tile the floor, apply adhesive directly to the heating cable or mat.
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