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Radiant Heat Materials Quote and Loop CAD Design

 

 What are the different types of installation?
Slab On or Below Grade
Cap Pour Over Existing Slab
Poured Underlayment on a Suspended Wood Subfloor
Quik Trak Over a Wood Subfloor
Quik Trak Over an Existing Concrete Slab
Joist Heating Using Wirsbo PEX Clips
Joist Heating Using Joist Trak Panels
   

 Slab On or Below Grade
       In this installation method the PEX Tubing may be either tied to a wire mesh or rebar using wire or zip ties. If under-slab in being used, the PEX Tubing may be stapled to the under-slab insulation. Edge Insulation should be used in this application around the perimeter of the slab. Under-slab insulation should be used when there is a high water table or the soil is moist, bedrock is present, floor covering values exceed 2.0, or the linear feet of the perimeter is high in comparison to the gross feet area.

       To install the tubing without under-slab insulation, first place the wire mesh or rebar on the compacted base material. Using wire or zip ties secure the tubing to the rebar or wire mesh. Space the ties every three feet along straight runs. When making 180-degree turns, tie the tubing at the top of the arc and once on each side, 12 inches from the top of the arc. This prevents the tubing from floating up into the pour. The tubing should be pressure tested to 60psi.

       To install the tubing when there is under-slab insulation, you can use PEX Staples to secure the tubing to the insulation. Staples should be placed every 3 feet along straight runs, and when making 180-degree turns it should be treated similar to wire mesh installation.

 Cap Pour Over Existing Slab
       This application is used in residential retrofit situations. An example of this is finishing an existing basement. Under-slab insulation should be used in this application, and the pour should be at least 1-1/2" thick. The pour should be ¾" over the top of the tubing, so if 1" tubing is used, the pour should be greater than an 1-1/2" thick. In this application tubing is secured to a wire mesh or rebar in the same way manner as a slab installation. An alternative would be to staple the tubing to the under-slab insulation. However, when making 180-degree turns, a tie or staple should be placed at the top of the arc and 6" from the top of the arc (one on each side). Tubing should be pressure tested to a minimum of 60psi.

       Cap pours are possible in different applications situations. Pours may be made over a pre-cast plank, steel decking, a suspended wood floor, or a suspended wood floor with sleepers. While these are not as popular as an over slab pour, they are still possible.

 Quik Trak Over a Wood Subfloor or Existing Slab
       Quik Trak panels are plywood panels that have an aluminum underside. The panels have a built in groove for tubing to be placed in. This application is in residential construction as an alternative to joist heating and over-pours. A minimum of R-19 insulation should be used between the floor joists beneath the floor. An air space should be left between the insulation and the floor. When installing a radiant heat system using Quik Trak, 5/16" hePEX Tubing must be used. The maximum loop length for 5/16" Tubing is 250'. Other sizes of PEX Tubing will not fit into the Quik Trak Panels.

       To install Quik Trak panels, first lay the panels down on top of the wood sub-floor. The panels should be placed perpendicular to the floor joists. The seams of the Quik Trak should be staggered. After the panels are laid, the grooves of the panels should be vacuumed to remove debris. Next, a thin bead of Quik Trak Sealant should be placed throughout the length of each of the grooves. The sealant acts an adhesive and promotes good heat transfer from the tubing to the panel.

       To install the tubing walk or step the tubing into the panel grooves. You may need to use a rubber hammer to snap the tubing into the groove. To secure the panels to the sub-floor use 1-1/4" screws or 1" staples. Start from the middle of the panel and work to the ends, alternating from side to side. If the panels are being installed over an existing slab a layer of 5/8" or ¾" plywood should be placed over the slab before installing the Quik Trak. In this application 1" screws or staples should be used.

       Different floor covering types are possible using Quik Trak. However, the most efficient are hardwood, tile, and linoleum. Carpet floor covering installations will not be as efficient, but are possible.

 Joist Heating using Wirsbo PEX Clips
       This method is commonly used in new and retrofit installations. The installation is not recommended for open-web truss construction. A minimum of R-11 Insulation should be used even if the space below is heated. When the tubing is installed in a crawl space, a minimum of R-19 insulation is recommended. Standard insulation is adequate, foil faced insulation is not necessary. Install the insulation vertically to block the joist cavity beneath. A small air space (2"-3") should be left between the insulation and the sub-floor above. PEX Clips work with both ½" and 3/8" PEX tubing.

       To install PEX tubing using Wirsbo PEX Clips, drill holes 1-1/4" minimum side by side at the end of each joist cavity. The tubing should then be threaded in between the floor joists, moving from one joist to the other as needed. After installing tubing in the last joist bay, run the PEX straight back through the joist holes behind the first set of holes. Return this end to the manifold and connect it.

       Next screw the PEX Clips into the bottom of the sub-floor. The clips should be placed 8" on center in 16" joist bays, 6" on center in 12" joist bays. Install the loop farthest from the manifold first by pulling the loop the length of the bay. Slack from the loop hanging from the next bay can be borrowed. The clips should be placed every three feet along the joist bay. Attach the clips with screws. The screws should be no longer than ¾". Snap the tubing into the PEX Clips. This will suspend the tubing an inch below the subfloor. Continue the process until all of the loops are attached.

 Joist Heating Using Joist Trak Panels
       Joist Trak installations can be done for new work and retrofit applications. Joist Trak applications produce more heat with the same water temperature as compared to joist heating without the panels. Insulation should be installed snug against the panels. Tubing should be pressure tested to 60 psi. Joist Trak works with ½" and 3/8" PEX Tubing.

       To install a radiant heat system using Uponor Wirsbo Joist Trak, use ¾" drywall screws to attach the panels to the subfloor. Panels should be separated equidistant from the joists in 16" joist bay. Leave about a foot at the end of joists to allow for tubing turns. Leave an inch between the panels. Drill two holes at the end of the joist bay. Thread the PEX Tubing in between the joists, moving from one joist cavity to the other as necessary. After tubing is in the last bay, run PEX back through the joist holes behind the first set of holes. This end of the PEX will be connected to the manifold. Install the loop farthest away first, slack can be borrowed from the loop hanging from the next joist bay. Then snap the tubing into the panels. Continue this process until all the loops are installed.

**This information came from several books including the Uponor Wirsbo Complete Design Assistance Manual.

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