Dry Pack question.

nibs

Have to do the shower soon, was looking at dry pack, which is new to us.
We have the pex zip tied to 4 inch wire grid, laying on insulating foam, will not attempt to raise the wire grid. Need a depth of mud about 2 to 3 inches. Can I dry pack directly onto the styrofoam, or should I pour wet cement to cover the pex, then drypack next day to give drypack a firm base? Have lots of exp with wet mud, and do not fear doing the pan with high strength fiber entrained cement.
Advice please.

Zman

Is the pan structural, sitting on earth, or just to create slope?
Not sure why you wouldn't pour it wet with sand mix, mixed just stiff enough so it wont self level. You could then pull the tubing and mesh up for stronger pan and better radiation.

nibs

@Zman Thanks, that is what we are gonna do, the cement is in the mixer, will leave screeds inplace until the mud is self supporting.
Lots of experience with wet cement, but none with drypack.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

Did you water test the pan?

Any pictures?

nibs

@Alan(CaliforniaRadiant)Forbes Not yet, still going to hit it with steel trowel later this evening. Will wet it down tomorrow as part of the curing process.
This far North cement takes a while.