How to Install a Floor Heating Mechanism
Heating a floor, such as those found in a bathroom, will require installing a mechanism to heat the floor called underfloor heating. Underfloor heating consists of pads that sit under a tile floor that use electricity to heat coils that will in turn warm the floor tiles to a predetermined or set temperature. This type of heating system needs to be installed on a new floor or an existing sub-floor. You can install a floor heating mechanism by first determining how much of the floor to heat. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Utility knife
- Circular saw
- Power drill
- Drywall saw
- Mortar
- Trowel
- Floor tiles
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the length and width of the room with a tape measure to determine how much area you want to cover with the mats used for the floor heating mechanism.
-
2
Lay down cement backer board over the sub-floor as a base for the heating mechanism and the floor tiles. Attach the backer board to the sub-floor using screws and a power drill.
-
-
3
Cut a groove into the backer board 10x10 mm wide and about 1 foot long with a circular saw. Place the sensor for the heating mechanism in the groove.
-
4
Lay down or roll out the heat mat on top of the backer board. Cut the mesh backing to position the mat, but do not cut the electrical cable. You can use a pair of scissors or a utility knife to cut the mesh backing.
-
5
Cut a hole in the wall for the thermostat using a drywall saw.
-
6
Drill a hole in the baseboard of the wall to run the electrical wires for the thermostat with a power drill.
-
7
Run the electrical wires up to the hole in the wall, and connect the thermostat. Follow the instructions for the heating mechanism unit to properly connect the electrical wires.
-
8
Apply mortar over the top of the mats using a trowel. Make sure to use enough mortar to completely cover the heating mechanism. A thicker amount is needed to provide a cushion for the mats.
-
9
Use the grooved side of the trowel to place ridges in the mortar.
-
10
Place a piece of tile in the mortar, and press down on the tile so that it adheres to the mortar.
-
11
Repeat the previous three steps to finish tiling the floor.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Draw a diagram on a piece of paper to determine the layout for the heating mechanism before laying it on the backer board.
You may damage the heating mechanism if not enough mortar was used to provide a cushion for the mats.
