Tips from the Pros: How to Plan & Install a Floor Heating System

Hello everyone. Thank you for joining us. My name is Lyn, and I am a customer service representative here at WarmlyYours. Today, I am joined by Scott from WarmlyYours. How convenient that we're both from the same company! Today's your lucky day—who would have guessed? We’re going to be discussing some tips from the pros, which includes insights from us and some of our experienced installers who have worked extensively with our products. We will focus on planning and installing your floor heating system. If you have any questions, feel free to type them in either the sidebar chat or the "Ask a Question" module at the bottom of the screen. We will address them, if not immediately, then by the end of the presentation.

Scott, can you tell us a little bit about what we’ll be covering today?

Absolutely, Lyn. We are not only sharing our expertise but also insights from those who have installed our products multiple times and achieved successful installations. Our main focus will be on electric floor heating, specifically our TempZone product. This product originally started as a tile heater, but with the evolution of flooring options, we now offer various installation methods for tile, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), and laminate. Essentially, we utilize either loose cable on a spool or wire attached to mesh to heat the floor or create a heated subfloor for other flooring types. Today, we will discuss how to determine the right amount needed for your space, installation tips, and general best practices. We aim to make the process as straightforward as possible, so if you're new to this, lean on us for support. All we need is a sketch of your space, and we’ll guide you through the rest.

Great! One of the first things we recommend is to measure the space you want to heat as if you were measuring for cabinets, not flooring. For example, if you’re installing flooring in a kitchen, you typically wouldn’t want to heat under appliances like refrigerators, ovens, or cabinets. Therefore, it’s crucial to provide us with measurements for the areas you actually want heated. Don’t just say it’s a 50 square foot room; specify that you want to heat a 4-foot by 10-foot area within that space. Remember, we don’t heat under anything permanent, so if you have a 40 square foot room, you might only be heating about 80% of it. This is why we emphasize the importance of sending us a detailed drawing.

So how can they submit a drawing to us, Lyn?

There are several ways to send us your drawing. You can email it to sales@warmlyyours.com, or if you've been working with a representative here, you can reach out to them directly. Additionally, our website has various options for uploading layouts, allowing you to design your own layout and send it in for a quote. You can also fax it to us or give us a call, and we’ll be happy to assist you with the submission process.

When measuring, it’s also important to note any air vents in the floor. Many people forget to mark these on their plans, but we cannot place heating cable over an air vent. The air vent effectively reduces the available square footage you can heat. For instance, if a homeowner wants to install a large tub in a space they initially described as 15 square feet, but they later realize it’s actually 20 square feet, this discrepancy can lead to issues. If you send us a drawing indicating 20 square feet available and then make changes that reduce that area, you may need to revise your installation plan. It’s crucial to provide accurate measurements from the start because once the heating wire is cut, it cannot be altered or returned.

Now, let’s discuss how to properly measure for an installation plan.

The first step is to verify the dimensions after you receive the SmartPlan from us. It’s essential to check that the measurements match because if you discover discrepancies—like a room that has shrunk by five feet—you’ll face significant issues during installation. If you start the installation without verifying the dimensions and find that the room is smaller than expected, you’ll be left with excess product that cannot be returned. If you find that the area has changed and the product we sent you is too small, we can take it back without a restocking fee, as long as it hasn’t been cut or installed.

When measuring, be sure to account for any fixtures in the room, such as vanities or toilets. You should measure around these items because you won’t be putting heat under them. For example, maintain at least four inches of clearance from the wax ring under the toilet. After taking your measurements, you’ll also need to determine where the thermostat will go. The thermostat is typically placed near a door, but if you have a specific location in mind, let us know so we can adjust the installation plan accordingly.

We also offer a range of products related to showers. If you’re planning a shower installation, we have specific pans and heating mats designed for various shower sizes, along with waterproofing solutions and curbs. Just let us know what you need, and we’ll provide a quote.

Another important aspect of installation is using an Ohmmeter and a circuit check. Can you elaborate on their importance, Scott?

Certainly! I conduct a webinar specifically about problem-free installations every Tuesday at 4 PM Central Time. To ensure a correct installation, it’s crucial to have both of these tools. A digital ohmmeter is essential for taking ohm readings of the product when you receive it, after laying it out on the floor, and again after covering it with tile or other materials. You should document these readings in the owner's manual. It’s important to choose a meter with a 200 range and an adjustable knob on the front. Avoid using an analog meter, as they are not suitable for this application. You can find an inexpensive meter for under $20 at any big box store.

The circuit check is another vital tool. It attaches to the wire and continuously monitors the circuit inside. If there’s a short or an open circuit—such as if you accidentally cut the wire—the circuit check will alert you. This tool is invaluable during installation because it helps you identify any issues before you cover the heating wire with tile.

When testing the product, it’s best to do so the day you receive it. If something goes wrong during shipping, it’s better to know about it early so we can send you a replacement. Don’t wait until installation day to test the product, as this could lead to delays and complications.

As you begin your project, ensure that the floor is level. If necessary, use a self-leveling compound before installing the heating system and the flooring. The integrity of your heating system is directly related to the quality of the subfloor. This is particularly important in older homes or those with basements, where settling may have caused uneven flooring.

We often receive calls from homeowners in older houses who notice that the center of their room feels colder than the edges. This is typically due to improper installation, where the heating product was placed directly on an uneven subfloor. The heat radiates only about an inch and a half around the wire, so if the wire is too far from the surface, the center of the room will feel cooler. Therefore, it’s essential to level the floor before installing the heating system.

Moving on to our next tip, when applying thinset over your electric floor heating, always use a modified thinset, either latex or polymer-modified. It’s crucial to apply the thinset using a rubber or plastic trowel to minimize the risk of damaging the heating cable. Using a metal trowel can lead to nicks or cuts in the wire, which can cause issues down the line.

We often get questions about the one-step versus two-step installation process. A one-step installation is suitable for experienced tilers who can lay out the product, apply thinset, and set the tile all in one go. However, for those who are less experienced, we recommend a two-step process. In this method, you first lay out the product and apply a quarter-inch layer of thinset to encapsulate the wire. After that, you return to back butter the tile and set it down. This approach allows for better quality control and reduces the risk of lippage.

When using Prodesso, the blue mat, it’s important to note that you cannot simply put the mat down, lay the cable, and cover it with thinset all at once. Instead, you need to install the tile one at a time, ensuring that the thinset fills the divots in the mat. This method allows for a quicker installation and helps maintain the integrity of the heating system.

Another tip comes from Santino Electric, emphasizing that two sensors are better than one. All of our thermostats come with a floor sensor that you place into the heat mat or between cables during installation. This sensor allows you to control the floor temperature accurately, which is especially important for flooring materials like LVT or hardwood that can be sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

If you add a second sensor, it serves as a backup in case the first one fails. While sensor failures are rare, having a second one coiled up in the thermostat box can save you from having to pull up tiles later. Just remember that the floor sensor wire cannot run in the same conduit as your high-voltage leads; they must be separated to comply with electrical codes.

If someone forgets to install the floor sensor during the initial installation, they will need to find a way to retrofit it. This involves routing out a grout line to place a small retrofit sensor, ensuring it is positioned between the heating wires to avoid short cycling. Using a thermal camera can help identify where the heating wires are located, allowing for precise placement of the sensor.

Now, let’s discuss uncoupling membranes, such as our Prodesso membrane. This plastic membrane is designed to prevent tile and grout from cracking over time by isolating the tile from minor movements in the subfloor. When installing Prodesso, it’s crucial to follow the installation manual closely, as different subfloors require specific types of thinset for proper adhesion.

For those using loose cable in Prodesso, a rubber or plastic grout float is recommended to avoid damaging the wire. This tool will help you push down the grout without risking cuts to the heating cable, making the installation process smoother and less painful.

If a tile with electric floor heating underneath cracks or needs to be replaced, it’s important to isolate that tile from the surrounding area. Start by scoring the grout line around the tile and carefully breaking it into smaller pieces. Before beginning this process, attach a circuit check to the non-heating lead of the thermostat to monitor for any issues during the removal process.

When replacing the tile, it’s also essential to remove some of the existing thinset to ensure a proper bond with the new tile. Using a thermal camera can help you locate the heating wires and avoid damaging them while chiseling away the old thinset.

Managing the paths for the cold leads is another critical aspect of installation. Ensure that all tradespeople working in the area are aware of the location of the cold leads to prevent accidental damage during their work.

We’ve also received questions about transition strips between tile and LVT floors. It’s best to use a non-screwed transition strip to avoid damaging the heating wires. We recommend keeping the heating away from doorways to prevent potential issues with nailing into the wires.

In conclusion, following these expert tips can lead to a problem-free installation. We appreciate the questions you’ve submitted, and we encourage you to continue asking as they help us provide valuable information.

Our next webinar will be on November 11th, focusing on getting your home winter-ready with heating luxury vinyl tiles. We look forward to seeing you there! Thank you for joining us today, and remember to stay warm and be radiant!