Homeowner installed radiant tubing

Constantin

... if ripping out the floor madness and doing a gypcrete pour is still an option.

Paul Rohrs_4

WWBRSD- What Would Biggerstaff Radiant Solutions Do?

The homeowner installed his own tubing on this job. The interesting part is that he is a Concrete Contractor. (Slab-on-grade infloor heat anyone?)

For some reason, he thought he would pour the slab first and then install tubing this way.....

Would any of you tackle this job? It is a very tight ICF home with R40 walls and good low-E windows.

Concrete slab, wire mesh with tubing attached at 12-18" OC, then furring strips give a 1" air-space, covered by a layer of OSB and a layer of concrete backer board. It is scheduled to receive tile and some carpeting.



Regards,

PR

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Unknown

Wow, what a waste with all that nice concrete right there.

So, you've got something like a half output suspended tube system that is guaranteed to stripe.

I'd start discussing what he's going to do for primary heat in the space, Vs his willingness to pull up the OSB and cement board for either a cap pour or plate installation.

Weezbo

Paul, *~/:)

did he take the time to insulate Under the slab?

i dont like the way the tubing is tied in the corners and the screws look somewhat disadvantageously arranged....perhaps one could test the tubing,determine its lengths,pour some gypcrete in each sleeper bay to make a sandwich type slab.... or as it is known in nautical circles:) a :"One Off" construction. not saying do it just a maybe....

hr

I'd worry about

how tightly he has that tube tied to the mesh! Sure looks like a potential wear through issue That's not orange rubber tube by chance??

Did anyone run the loads yet? You may be surprised to see sq. ft. loads in the 10 or under range with construction like that. Although it does look "glass-ish" That concrete may in fact give up enought BTUs to handle some or all rooms. The carpet areas would worry me.

What is plan B? Does it have an HVAC system also? If you take the plunge be sure to have a good understanding backed up with load calcs and in writing.

hot rod

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Mark Hunt

I guess


I'd start by asking what he expects you to do with his...ahem.....installation.

If he expects you to make that work.....I'd pass.

If he is willing to 1) accept the fact that he made some serious mistakes and 2) follow your direction to the letter (and dollar sign), then get it in writing and as someone else said, make a cake out of horse manure.

Mark H PE

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Paul Pollets

Disclaimers

I'd have the owner sign a disclaimer for any warranty surrounding the RF installation. Very cheesy.

The loads may work, but the tubing install will develop problems.


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Kevin O. Pulver

Paul Remember

that job waaay up North at Long Pine where I fixed the leaks on the ancient, green-stripe, first generation Wirsbo tubing?
That was a job very similiar to this one. Concrete slab with firring strips and hardwood. They seemed to be happy with the way it had been working. What a shame this guy didn't call you first... Kevin

Paul Rohrs_5

Kevin,

> that job waaay up North at Long Pine where I

> fixed the leaks on the ancient, green-stripe,

> first generation Wirsbo tubing? That was a job

> very similiar to this one. Concrete slab with

> firring strips and hardwood. They seemed to be

> happy with the way it had been working. What a

> shame this guy didn't call you first... Kevin





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Paul Rohrs_5

Kevin,

> that job waaay up North at Long Pine where I

> fixed the leaks on the ancient, green-stripe,

> first generation Wirsbo tubing? That was a job

> very similiar to this one. Concrete slab with

> firring strips and hardwood. They seemed to be

> happy with the way it had been working. What a

> shame this guy didn't call you first... Kevin





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Paul Rohrs_5

Kevin,

Good to hear from you. I have finished your book on Solar. Are you going to be in Lincoln anytime soon? It may be the reason for us to get together and have breakfast somewhere.

I'll let you all know what happens with this job. I am going to make a push for a gypcrete overpour, we'll see what the budget allows. Think of all the money the HO wasted in OSB, backerboard, and labor.

If they don't, I will have signatures stating what our system will do and won't do.

Thanks for the input all.

regards,

PR

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Boston

this guy needs an architect, not a heating contractor

Mike C_3

sounds like

he falls into the MMTB catagory

More
Money
Than
Brains!

ScottMP

Paul

I have nothing to add except what others have said " what a shame ".

But, it MAY work, with all that mass. It just will never be as effecient as it could be. But who am I telling

YA, I'd get it in writting.

Scott


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bobbyg_2

Paul,
I'm with Hot Rod - do the heat load first. Floor coverings could make/break situation and/or expectations. If they only want conditioned space and not warm, fuzzy feeling floors it may work out. Still a shame..........

Kevin O. Pulver,
What book do you have out on solar? Where can I purchase one?

Unknown

paul,,,

Who was the "heating expert" on this job? Checked out a really screwed up radiant floor heating job almost like yours, I asked the homeower if he willing to give up the " 5 thousand dollars " light chandlier to correct the heating system and comfort? He say nope and wanted me to fix it realllly cheap... Got paid in cash for being there and walked away from the job.. If I were u, get paid for ur time there and let the so called heating expert to finish the job...

Paul Rohrs_4

Bobby,

I borrowed a book from Kevin. Solar Hot Water Systems by Tom Lane. (Lessons learned from 1977 to Today) I am feeling the "heat" to incorporate solar.

If Kevin wrote a book, it would NOT be on "LADDER SAFETY"! A few weeks ago, Kevin fell from a ladder and it could have been very bad, but I understand he is Okay. Kevin lives about 1½-2 hrs from me, but he is like my "brother from another mother" to this day.

Regards,

PR

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bobbyg_2

I feel for him if he has to put up with you ;-)

Is that a decent book to learn from? I need to find a "Modern Hydronic Heating"-like book for solar water heating.

I've got a job where a contractor wants me to set-up a system with solar (electric back-up) in his getaway 1/2 pole barn 1/2 cabin. I'll start a new thread to discuss.

Hope all is well!

Paul Rohrs_5

Bobby,

The book by Tom Lane was full of good information, but seemed to jump around with topics. I would honestly like to find some other supplemental information and see if the RPA has any dedicated source material to establish a "base-line" of Do's and Dont's.

Paul

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Kevin O. Pulver

Yes Paul,

$$$$ wasted in OSB, labor, and in a sense, even the gyp would be wasted money. Because though it IS needed now, it shouldn't have been. I need to come to Lincoln to see Rick Rohrs the antique engine maven. (I make it a point that all my experts have the same last name)I'll give you a call when I'm coming. BTW, I was thinking of reprinting that solar book and naming myself as the author. Do you think there would be any copyright infringements? LOL
Kevin