Any tile guys out there?

Dave Gulbranson

I have a job where the HO wants to remove a fin-tube basebaord in a bathromm (65sq. ft.)with a low temp radiant floor. This is an overpour on an existing basement slab. The old bb will have to be replaced with about 5' of pex (3/4" od)to keep the loop intact for the rest of the basement. I want to bury the splice in the new overpour. Will the mud set of 1" to 1 1/4" and tile be able to handle the heat for that high temp splice. I dont think the floor height will allow insulating it.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Have laid quite a lot of tile, but not in that exact situation.

To me it seems VERY difficult to imagine any possible problem with the installation with such a small amount of heat when there's that big heat sink of the slab just below plus the nice thick overpour. The tile surface right near that pipe will get quite warm--even hot.

Dave Gulbranson

Thanks Mike, Since the HO is also the tile installer he may try to insulate the BB splice with a small 'sleeper' of ridgid insulation to keep the heat from migrating across the slab. Im not as concerned about the hot floor (its right next to the outside wall)in that area as I am with cracks or loose tile. Since we plan on doing this job soon maybe the floor will have enough time to cure over the summer.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

If you add much insulation to the pipe, the pour around it gets thinner and you might have a problem with cracking. Probably best just to run the PEX inside of a very slightly oversized sleeve--just like when you run up through a slab.