Warmboard - Found nails under tubing

Brad White

Our install specification calls for a shop vac session immediately before the tubing is laid-in or immediately before silicone is used if the system calls for it. (Climate Panel does, not sure about Warmboard)

What is missing from your installation in my opinion is diligence. This in turn causes a loss of tube contact with the floor, not to mention pipe puncture potential (PPP). I just made up that acronym.

The other part is that any tubing 'proud' of the panel top will be set into the floor- in any way it can fit. This is not good for the tubing shape nor the surface in contact with, oh, let's just say a nail.

The tubing install wants to be the only show in town when it occurs- no other unnecessary trades. Usually just the tubing installer and assistant (to keep ahead cleaning the grooves, a decoiler and maybe the GC keeping a watchful eye. Where was your GC in this? There is some responsibility there.

I cannot speak to the need for a coupler and not sure if it can serve as a protectant. Others can render an opinion, I just do not know.

My $0.02

Brad

dblagent007_2

Not pleased with install

The contractor installed some of the radiant tubing in the warmboard in my home on Friday. I went over to look at it that night and there were a lot of bumps in the tubing. In some places, the tubing just needed to be pushed down into the groover. However, there were a couple of places where I couldn't push the tubing down. I pulled it up in those places and found a variety of things such as dirt, lumps of construction glue, wood, a small rock, etc. However, what really disturbs me is that I found three nails too.

Is this normal? I am ready to tell the radiant contractor to hit the road. I also have little confidence in their install.

By the way, how much damage can PAP take before I should use a coupler to replace a section? The reason I ask is that in those spots where I tried to push the tubing down onto the nails, rock, piece of glue, etc., it marred the underside but I don't think it made a hole. Should I put a coupler in those spots? Also, I accidently chipped one section tubing down to the aluminum while trying to remove a large chunk of construction glue off the floor. Do I need to replace that section as well?

Josh_10

No this is NOT normal. The tracks must be as clean as the kitchen table before feeding your mother-in-law!

We ONLY install tubing in WB on dry days when we can blow out the tracks with a 5HP leaf blower, then we painstakingly run a rag through EVERY track.

I wouldn't worry about small scratches in the tube, however if it seems like the inside diameter of the tube could have been warped I would install a coupling. Also large scratches deeper than 1/10th of the tube wall should be repaired.

Brad White

Josh-

You use a 5 HP leaf blower and a rag just before feeding your mother-in-law?

You are a mensch.

Josh_10

I don't say anything about my mother in law that I wouldn't say to her face. So I guess I won't say anything at all.. LOL