≡× MENU

• Interior
• Window
• Walls
• Projects
• The buildings

Correct installation of underfloor heating. Is it possible to install underfloor heating from central heating in an apartment? How to make a warm floor from heating with your own hands in an apartment

Providing underfloor heating during the construction of a private house is not an easy task, but it can be solved. It is much more difficult to make a water heated floor from existing heating country cottage or apartments. How to correctly install and connect heating circuits in such a situation with your own hands, read in this article.

Planning and selection of materials

To successfully integrate heated floors into an existing heating system, you must first resolve several serious issues:

1. Get permission to connect to the network central heating, if we are talking about an apartment in a multi-storey building.
2. Find out what height can be allocated for the “pie” of underfloor heating without raising the thresholds of interior doors.
3. Determine attachment points to existing system and rationally choose a scheme.
4. Prepare building materials, pipes and plumbing fixtures.

Each item preparatory plan proposed to be considered separately.

Is it possible to connect to the central heating system

You cannot simply embed heating circuits into common apartment risers. Underfloor heating will take away a significant portion of the heat from neighbors, who will file a complaint with management company, and you will receive a large fine for unauthorized interference in the network.

Advice. Do not connect to risers at your own risk. Try to complete the permit properly. If you receive a clear refusal, think about heating with electric heated floors.

When can we hope for a positive solution to the issue:

• in a new building with individual heating inputs from a common riser passing through the technical rooms;
• in a ground floor apartment with an upper coolant supply or a separate connection from the basement;
• in the home last floor with lower distribution of the supply line.

At vertical wiring approval can be obtained by the owner of the upper apartment when the coolant is supplied from below

The idea of ​​apartment connection is based on the fact that the batteries in your apartment are the last ones. Additional load on the riser in the form of heating circuits will not harm the neighbors. True, the organization that supplies heat energy has the right to demand installation individual node accounting and development project documentation. It is problematic for residents of other apartments to obtain permission.

Determining the thickness of the “pie”

The main problem when installing water underfloor heating in a residential building is the small distance from the base of the floor (floor slabs) to the bottom of the doorway. Usually this height is equal to the thickness of the screed and is 6-10 cm. The situation with wooden floors similar - the width of the lags where the covering boards are laid lies in the range of 50-150 mm.

Important point. Before installing a heated floor in a habitable apartment, the existing screed will have to be broken down to the ground, and wood flooring completely disassemble. Otherwise, the “pie” will not fit, and raising the door thresholds or making a step at the entrance is an unconstructive solution.

There is only one way to fit heating circuits into a thickness of 50 mm - use a flooring system with metal plates - heat distributors, shown in the diagram. The composition of the “pie” will look like this:

• layer of dense polymer insulation 30 mm;
• metal plates with grooves;
• heating pipes Ø16 mm;
• thin flooring - laminate or tile when it comes to the bathroom.

Reference. To lay heat distribution plates, special polystyrene foam mats with bosses or ready-made wooden modules are used.

Due to the high price of such systems, craftsmen often suggest installing plates between boards 2-2.5 cm thick, laid on a layer of 8-10 mm polyethylene foam (Penofol). We do not recommend implementing such solutions - a small thermal insulation layer will transmit the lion's share of the heat to the neighbors below or into the basement of a private house.

When the height of the thresholds is 10 cm, monolithic heated floors with screed are installed. Polystyrene slabs 30-40 mm thick are laid in the base, the remaining 6-7 cm are left for screed and finishing coating.

Scheme of the “pie” of heated floors with screed

Connection diagrams for heating circuits

One of the most important issues that must be resolved before starting work is how to connect a water-heated floor to an existing heating system. We offer the following options:

1. In an apartment with individual thermal input - according to the classical scheme with mixing unit installed in the hallway. The cabinet with the collector is neatly sealed inside the wall.
2. In a private house, it is advisable to connect directly from a gas or other boiler, using a distribution comb and a mixing unit.
3. In apartments with two-pipe risers, connect the circuit of each room directly to the network near the heating radiators. Temperature regulation is carried out by thermal heads of the RTL type.
4. IN apartment buildings With single-pipe risers you cannot do without installing mixing units with a circulation pump.

Connection diagram for apartment-to-apartment heat distribution

Note. Connecting heated floors to heating mains without a pump and mixing unit can be implemented in almost any two-pipe system. How to do this correctly, read below.

The coolant coming from the boiler or from the centralized heating network has a temperature of 50-90 ° C, which is unacceptable for heated floors. The temperature graph of the heating circuit lies in the range of 35-45 °C, maximum – 55 °C (if the pipes are embedded in a screed).

Scheme of connecting heated floors to the boiler through a two-way valve

To prepare water at the required temperature, mixing units with two or three way valve and a circulation pump pumping coolant through the circuits. In centralized heating systems, it is better to use a circuit with a two-way valve, in individual ones - with a three-way valve.

Reference. The quality of the coolant in central heating networks is too low - the water is saturated with rust and other impurities. The simpler and more reliable it is to select equipment, the longer it will last without problems.

Connection diagram underfloor heating to the boiler through a three-way valve

Separate connection of the circuits to two-pipe mains is made through thermal heads of the RTL type, which limit the reverse flow of coolant when the outlet water temperature exceeds the set value. Mixing units, manifolds and circulation pumps do not apply.

Branch connection diagram without additional pump

To connect a heated floor, it is enough to buy a ready-made block with a thermostatic tap and an RTL head placed inside a neat plastic box. Offers similar products famous brand Oventrop, name – RTL Unibox.

Connection diagram to a single-pipe vertical system

Available about various options An expert will tell you how to connect underfloor heating to an existing system in his video:

We select building materials and components

When you have chosen the correct connection diagram, calculate required quantity materials are quite simple. You need to find out the area of ​​the kitchen, bedroom and other rooms where you plan to install heated floors. Plus choose the laying scheme and distance between the pipes.

Also used when installing heated floors Consumables– damper tape (adhesive around the perimeter of the room), clips for attaching pipes and waterproofing film placed under the insulation. The screed is used with a ready-made construction mixture, the consumption of which is indicated on the packaging.

For “dry” type heating circuits, you will have to buy polystyrene plates with bosses and heat distribution plates (preferably made of aluminum). Modular sets made of wood will cost more. A budget option- place pipes between regular boards 20 mm thick, laid on the insulation with your own hands.

Advice. If the height difference between the base and doorways is 10-20 cm (for example, on a balcony, loggia), increase the thickness of the “pie” using insulation. That is, take thermal insulation boards not 30, but 50 or 100 mm. The result is increased energy efficiency of premises and heat savings.

Monolithic heated floor installation technology

After dismantling the floor structures - screeds or wooden logs– the base should be cleaned and leveled for laying thermal insulation boards. and fill the corners with mortar, knock down the bumps and sagging. Take out the trash and remove as much dust as possible (ideally with a special construction vacuum cleaner).

The step-by-step technology for installing heated floors in a residential apartment looks like this:

Note. Instead of waterproofing film It is allowed to use Penofol with a thickness of 4-5 mm, laying it with the foil up. The canvases are placed without overlap and taped with aluminum tape.

When using regulation using RTL thermal heads, the length of the pipeline in the circuit should not exceed 60 m, otherwise the room will heat up unevenly. Carry out a leak test with a working pressure of 3 bar country house and 6-7 Bar in the apartment with centralized heat supply. You are holding specified pressure in 24 hours.

After making sure that the connections are tight, proceed to pouring the screed without emptying the contours. Minimum thickness cement-sand monolith - 5 cm, maximum - 10 cm. In order not to make mistakes in the proportions during the preparation of the solution, it is recommended to work with a ready-made dry mixture for pouring floors containing a plasticizer.

Further work on connecting heated floors to the existing heating network is carried out after 20-28 days (the exact curing period is indicated on the bags construction mixture). The contours are attached according to the chosen scheme, after which the finishing coating is laid. The technology for installing underfloor heating is clearly shown in the video.

Underfloor heating device without screed

Using wooden modular system or mats equipped with bosses, it is not difficult to make warm floors. The difference from the previous technology is the absence of a cement screed and the laying of the finishing coating directly on the insulation or boards.

There is a simpler and cheap way accommodate water contours at a height difference of 5 cm:

1. Lay 50 mm thick extruded polystyrene foam boards with side connection locks on top of the waterproofing.
2. Mark the pipe laying routes on the insulation and cut grooves for them using a thermal knife or a sharp tool.
3. Install metal plates in the grooves and lay the pipelines.
4. Lay laminate or other thin covering.

The remaining work on testing and connecting the heated floor to the existing heating mains is carried out using the technology described in the previous section.

Conclusion

Before installing underfloor heating inside a habitable apartment with a working heating system, make sure technical feasibility connecting and laying pipes into the thickness of the floors. If the height difference between the base and the door opening does not reach 5 cm, there are 2 options left: raise the thresholds and door frames or abandon the idea. The decision depends on the desire to install a warm floor and the budget that you are willing to allocate for construction.

Design engineer with more than 8 years of experience in construction.
Graduated from the East Ukrainian National University. Vladimir Dal with a degree in Electronics Industry Equipment in 2011.

Related posts:

As a rule, floors are made of concrete. Therefore they are quite cold. This is felt in the morning or after taking a bath. That's why many people are looking for various ways so that the floors in their house are insulated. The way out of this situation is quite simple. Will fit harmoniously into a private house water floors that are connected from heating.

Why choose this type of heating?

1. Floors made in this way are considered the warmest in a private home and provide full heating. The peculiarity lies in the unusual location of the heating elements. They are hidden under the floor, and they, in turn, heat it.
2. By choosing this type of heating for a private home, a person benefits in many ways. Warm air rises from radiators and radiators, so the bottom of the room will be cold. As a result, energy will be wasted. In a house with heated floors, the entire room is heated.
3. Another plus is that thanks to infrared radiation and natural convection comfortable temperature will be at the level of human height. At the same time, your feet will be warm, which creates a comfortable feeling.

So, the main positive aspects can be considered:

• comfort;
• high room temperature;
• absence of allergic reactions;
• there will be no mold and mildew, even if the floors are wooden;
• normal level of humidity;
• there is no risk of burns, since there are no batteries on the walls;
• the room temperature can be adjusted automatically, regardless of the weather conditions outside;
• economical fuel consumption;
• You can constantly change the interior of the room.

How does a water heated floor work?

Heating using a water floor will provide heat to a room of any size. They design and install such heating in a private house using hot water. Therefore, this type of floor is considered the most in an accessible way heating.

The heating system is formed by pipes that are laid under the floor covering. Hot water flows through them. The coating heats up and the air in the room also becomes warm. Before laying pipes, a technical calculation is made. Several decisive factors are taken into account.

1. The material of the walls matters, and their thickness is also taken into account.
2. What power does the boiler cost?
3. What material are the pipes made of?
4. What is the base of the floor?
5. What is the area of ​​the heated room?
6. Room height.
7. The climate in the region where people live also matters.

To install a water floor in a private house, pipes made of plastic or metal-plastic are suitable. They are not expensive, and their service life can last for decades. The pipes must be connected to the boiler, which is used to heat the room. In order for the floor device to function correctly, a distribution unit is installed. It will contain the inlet and outlet of pipes, automation, devices with which you can set the desired room temperature and regulate the medium itself.

If there is no ceiling on the foundation of the house, then you need to do cement screed. Then pipes with waterproofing and thermal insulation are laid. And the floors are filled with concrete. The selected material will subsequently be laid on it: laminate, tile or parquet.

Efficient operation of a water floor

In order for the water floor to work effectively, it is necessary to carry out the installation with the help of professionals. They know the structure of such a heating system.

1. To increase the temperature in the room, pipes need to be laid more often, and then the floors will be warmer.
2. In the middle of the room, the pipes are not as densely spaced as at the edges.
3. There must be a certain distance between the pipes of no less than 10 and no more than 20 cm.
4. Warm floors are not recommended in small rooms, for example, on the stairs.

Where to start

Before installing underfloor heating, you need to pay attention to how level the base is. The room should already have windows and doors, the walls should be prepared, and places for sewerage and pipelines should be marked.

How to prepare a floor slab

In the case where the floor slab is the basis for a water floor, a layer of waterproofing is first laid. Coating or lining that contain bitumen. The edges of this material are attached to the walls using glue. This is done in order to protect the insulation from moisture. Since the slab is warm, the ground is cold.

Preparing the soil base

Sand-cement screed

Many people in a private house do not make a basement, so there will be no floor slab either. Then make several layers at least 10 cm high, alternately from sand and crushed stone. Each layer must be damp and compacted. After this you need to fill it with concrete mixture. The surface is checked for evenness building level. For greater reliability, you can reinforce the floors with reinforcing mesh.

To do direct installation water heating, you need to make the floors even. First, repair them from cracks and potholes. Damper tape is placed throughout the room. This will help the screed stay the same size without expanding. It will also retain heat on the sides of the walls. Determine the height difference. Since for a screed it should be no more than 7 cm. Set according to the level metal profiles and fix them. You can make a screed.

Why do you need insulation?

An important element in a water heated floor system is heat preservation using a special coating. With its help, access to income is blocked warm air to the basement, and direct heat into the room. Heating will be more economical if the thickness of the material is chosen correctly. Its choice depends on several data.

According to the technology, the thickness of the heat-insulating layer should be at least 30 mm

1. What wall material?
2. Climate in the region of residence.
3. If there is no floor slab, then the groundwater level must be taken into account.
4. The volume of the room where there will be a warm floor.

The insulation layer will be at least 50 mm if the screed is made above the basement. And above the floor slab this figure will be significantly less.

The insulation is usually polystyrene foam. With a huge choice building materials You can buy this type of insulation good quality. It is quickly installed and securely secured with locks. And you get a strong and even base. There are also linear markings along the edges of the slabs, which greatly facilitates their installation. Distribute them along the entire perimeter of the floor. This helps ensure that the screed is strong and the entire heating system is reliable.

Heating pipes

To properly install heated floor heating in a private home, you need to choose a pipe diameter from 10 to 32 mm. Depending on the type of installation, spiral, zigzag or snake, they are laid at a distance of 150 to 300 mm. Then they are secured to the reinforcing mesh. For this they use plastic clamps. Under no circumstances should there be kinks in the pipeline.

Second screed

Once the pipes are installed, the system needs to be checked. To do this, it is left on for several days. At the same time, the build quality is also assessed. If no problems arise, you can make a second screed.

Its thickness is 5 mm. After it dries, the system should operate at a lower temperature of 25 ºС. And only after a month you can use the water-heated floor heating at full capacity.

This is how floors are made in a private house. People who already enjoy their comfort and warmth can afford to winter evening walk on the floor barefoot. And families with children will definitely like this type of heating. Kids can freely be on the floor and not get sick. And this is a big advantage.

Today, installation of a heating hydraulic circuit in flooring, enjoys unprecedented popularity among our compatriots. The reason for this is the extremely unsatisfactory performance of classic radiator heating with a centralized coolant supply. The hype around the “warm floor” technology forces many “craftsmen” to agree to a direct ban from the authorities, arbitrarily installing heating in an apartment along the floor, thereby disturbing the thermal balance and increasing the hydraulic resistance in the heating system (CO) of the entire house.

There are legal ways to implement water heated floors in apartments in apartment buildings, and you can connect a heated floor system from central heating. This publication will consider several operating schemes that will not cause hydraulic and thermal imbalance in the CO.

Secondary ring diagram

This scheme can be implemented with a single-pipe CO system in an apartment. The primary ring is the central CO; secondary – the “warm floor” circuit.

• The connection to the central heating system is made only in the return line, at the outlet of the radiator.
• Installed on the circuit shut-off valves, and on the return of the “warm floor” ring there is also check valve, preventing the coolant from moving in the opposite direction.
• The water heated floor in the apartment is equipped with a mixing unit, which includes a pump and a three-way valve.

Despite its simplicity, this scheme is effective, but only if correct installation and a clear assembly sequence.

Advice: The problem is whether you can prove to utility companies that this scheme is workable and does not lead to an imbalance in the centralized system. As a rule, specialists from regulatory services refer to the prohibition of making any design changes to the heating system. Therefore, we strongly recommend that before creating a heated floor using this technology, you consult with a lawyer and a professional heating engineer.

100% of heating engineers will say that without breaking the law, you can create heated floors in an apartment with individual heating.

Despite the ban from public utilities on making any changes to the centralized heating system, experts came up with a scheme in which, when implemented, an autonomous heating system will be created, where the tank will act as a heat generator indirect heating (buffer capacity, heat accumulator), heat exchanger.

This system does not affect the design of the central CO in any way, does not change the pressure and does not increase hydrostatic resistance. The numbers indicate the following equipment:

• 1 Circulation pump
• 2 Three-way mixer
• 3 and 4 Ball valves
• 15 Heat exchanger piping group, which includes: check valve; ball valve with a mud man.

Any home craftsman can assemble a Warm floor from heating in an apartment with his own hands according to this scheme. For a clearer understanding of the assembly process, we recommend watching a video on the topic:

Points to remember

Warm floor or radiator: which is better for an apartment

Every day, a huge number of our compatriots wonder how to make a heated floor from heating, since they firmly believe that this design for heating an apartment is more effective than a classic radiator. Let's consider the economic feasibility of each CO.

1. The heated floor system is more economical. This issue is especially important for the owner of autonomous heating systems and the owner of apartments with heat meters. For this design, as the main heating system, it is necessary to reduce the heat loss of the home to a level of 40-50 W/m2. But with such low heat losses, radiator CO will be no less effective.
2. There is a common belief that when heating with radiators, “it’s hot at the top and cold near the floor.” As a rule, everything depends, again, on the insulation of the home. If it complies with European standards, then the difference in air temperature under the ceiling and near the floor, even with radiators, will be minimal, 1-2°C.
3. The level of comfort increases significantly if you install a “warm floor” system in all rooms of the apartment. Indeed, it is more pleasant to walk on such a floor, but answer yourself the question: are you ready to switch from carpet, linoleum and other floor coverings in favor of ceramic tiles with the best heat transfer?

And lastly: compare the costs of implementing a “water heated floor” project, including permits, a design with calculations, expensive installation and performance adjustment with high efficiency, which is a rather controversial point.

Advice: Competent calculation of a water heated floor is a complex process that requires experience and knowledge of many nuances. That is why, to carry them out, contact only professionals.

The installation of a heated floor with its connection to the central heating network is suitable for both individual house, and for an apartment. For underfloor heating devices in apartments connected to a single heating system of the entire building, mandatory approval for connection is required from the company operating the heating network.

Do-it-yourself heated floor heating will save the family budget

The main part of the water floor consists of pipes (polypropylene, metal-plastic, copper) through which hot water circulates, coming from the main heating system. To install pipework and connect it to the central network, it is not necessary to attract a highly paid specialist, because this is not an extremely complex job. By following all the stages of creating a floor strictly according to the instructions, each homeowner can complete it independently.

After laying the polyethylene/polymer film (waterproofing) and laying a damper tape around the perimeter of the room, heat-insulating material is laid out on the base of the floor, and then reinforcing mesh. If the heated floor is installed on a reinforced concrete floor, then the mesh is not laid, but the layout begins immediately heat-insulating materials. Heating pipes are laid either in a snake or in a spiral (shell). The pitch of the pipes depends on the selected diameter, and their total length should not be more than 90 m. The pipes are attached either to the mesh or with special clips to the base of the floor. The beginning and end of the pipeline are connected to the central heating risers. After checking the functionality of the heating pipeline, a screed is installed. After waiting for the drying period, proceed to installing the screed.

Diagram of a heated floor through a heating circuit

You can connect the pipe distribution of an apartment heated floor directly, that is, by cutting the “input” and “output” into the risers of the internal home heating or using an intermediate device - a heat exchanger. For direct insertion, a mud filter must be installed. This will protect the floor system from dirt and impurities present in the coolant. But even regular cleaning of the filter cannot guarantee that the underfloor heating pipeline will not become clogged with sludge and fail. Therefore, they often resort to the second connection option - through a heat exchanger. But this requires purchase and inclusion in the network additional equipment and control and safety units.

Combined heating system radiators and heated floors, insert diagrams

Connecting underfloor heating pipelines to the central heating network can be done according to one of two schemes:

• Scheme No. 1. Reconstruction of the existing heating system. In the existing heating network, one/several heating panels are dismantled and heating pipes are installed in the floor instead. Moreover, the coolant flow in this circuit is identical to the hot water flow in the dismantled appliances
• Scheme No. 2. Commercial connection. In this case, it is allowed to connect the floor pipeline for the coolant to the central heating network while maintaining all existing heating radiators. This connection diagram includes the mandatory installation of heat consumption meters. And the power potential of the main heating circuit should be enough not only to fully heat the house, but also to ensure such thermal regime in an additional insert without damage to the remaining apartments of the house

Connecting the heated floor in the apartment on the first floor to the return riser of the heating circuit will not cause discomfort to the residents of the upper apartments.

How to make a warm floor from heating. Device technology

The principle of creating a heated floor from heating is no different from creating a heated floor when it acts as the main heating. The difference between these sexes is only in connection to a heat source. In the first case, the heat source is the coolant coming from the central heating system, and in the second case, an individual heat source is used, for example, a boiler. If there is a limited supply of heat to an apartment building, install a heated floor in the apartment and connect its piping to the system central heating allows you to significantly improve the quality of heating an apartment, and at low-budget costs.

How to make a heated floor from heating video

What is a water heated floor? This is a capital liquid heating system, in which the air in the room is heated through the use of a floor structure with a system of pipes through which the coolant circulates. The heated floor system is connected to a local (gas boiler) or central system heating.

Water floor system heating can be used as the main heating of the house (an independent source of heating) or as an additional one. Depending on the design and heating method, there are different types underfloor heating: water and (cable, rod,).

Water-heated floor heating is a durable and economical heating system, but its installation is associated with significant difficulties and costs. Therefore, installation of underfloor heating systems is entrusted to professionals. For those who have decided to make a water heated floor with their own hands, we will tell you what stages this process consists of and pay attention to the main subtleties of design and installation.

Water heated floor - advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

• effective heat redistribution, ensuring uniform heating of the entire room;

• security natural circulation air;

• compatibility of heated floor with any type flooring(provided that it conducts heat well: tiles, laminate, natural stone);

• possibility to install autonomous system(individual heating) or connect to the central heating main;

• reduction in heating costs by 20-40% (compared to radiator);

• independence from power supply (and power outages);

• the ability to regulate the temperature in individual rooms and at any time of the day;

• minimal costs for self-installation;

• is improving appearance premises due to the absence of radiators and visible pipes of the heating system;

Minuses:

• inertia of the system. The heating time of the room is 4-6 hours (depending on the volume, area);

• design complexity in the case of using underfloor heating as the only source of room heating;

• high installation cost;

• difficult to regulate temperature regime in case of connection to the central heating main;

• reducing the height of the room by raising the floor by 100-120 mm;

• the use of floor coverings such as carpet, carpet or carpet is excluded;

• the possibility of leakage (in an apartment - flooding of neighbors below, in a private house - basement);

• low maintainability of the pipe system;

Water heated floor - DIY installation

Step-by-step instructions for installing water floor heating include four sequential steps:

1. Develop yourself, download a ready-made standard or order individual project warm water floor. At this stage, it is recommended to involve a specialist to eliminate errors.
2. Select equipment and building materials.
3. Install the underfloor heating system correctly.
4. Check and launch the water heated floor for the first time.
5. Finishing, laying flooring (tiles, laminate, linoleum).

Stage 1 - designing a heated floor

Before you begin drawing up a project, you need to make sure that there are no unavoidable obstacles to installing the system indoors. These may include:

• room height. The thickness of the water-heated floor (installed system) is 100-120 mm. This results in the floor being raised to the appropriate height;

• door installation location. Due to the installation of the system, the floor level rises. It is necessary to maintain the height of the doorway at 2200 mm ( standard door and installation gaps) or evaluate the possibility of increasing the doorway or estimate how much it will cost to make a door to order;

• window orientation. Windows located to the north or northwest, or oriented to the windy side, or having big size, can lead to the fact that the system power will need to be increased to compensate for heat loss through the external circuit and ensure the desired room temperature;

  Note. If the calculated heat losses are more than 100 W/m2. It is not practical to install a water heating system.

• load-bearing capacity of beams or floor slabs. Taking into account the weight of the concrete screed, the ability of the floor slabs or beams to support the weight of the water heated floor system should be assessed. Old floors are not yet a reason to abandon the system as a whole, but it is a reason to look into a water-based floor.

In view of the requirements listed above, water-heated floors in private houses have become more widespread than in apartments in high-rise buildings.

If there are no obstacles to the device, you can begin designing.

Calculation of water heated floor

Calculation in progress required quantity material depending on the parameters of the heated room and technical characteristics components of equipment and materials. The calculation of a warm water floor is made based on the following data:

• floor area and room height;
• material of walls and ceilings;
• degree and type of thermal insulation;
• type of flooring;
• pipe material and diameter;
• power of the heating element (boiler or central);
• desired temperature regime (see table).

Limit (maximum) temperature of the surface of a heated floor for premises for various purposes

After this, a sketch (diagram, drawing) is made, reflecting the installation location of the main equipment, the method and step of pipe placement.

How to make a water heated floor correctly

Be sure to pay attention (device features):

• install in furniture locations heating elements gender is not allowed, because this can cause them to overheat and dry out;

• It is not recommended to exceed the length of the circuit over 90 m (the limit value depends on the cross-section of the pipe);

Maximum length of a water-heated floor circuit (loop) depending on the pipe diameter used

The deviation is explained by the fact that hydraulic resistance (slowing down the movement of the coolant) and thermal load are directly dependent on the diameter of the pipe.

Craftsmen consider the optimal length of the circuit to be 50-60 m (with a pipe cross-section of 20 mm). If necessary, it is advisable to install two circuits of the same length. This is due to the fact that as it moves through the pipes, the hot water releases some of the thermal energy, and the floor temperature decreases. The use of short circuits will ensure uniform heating of the floor over the entire area.

Note. The length of the circuit is calculated from the point of exit from the collector, not only at the point of entry into the heated room.

• The pitch for laying underfloor heating pipes is 100-500 mm;

Note. When using a water heated floor as an additional (alternative) heating source, a pipe laying step of 300-500 mm is recommended. In the case of installation of a non-alternative (main) system, the pitch is reduced and amounts to 100-300 mm. If the laying step is exceeded, a “thermal zebra” effect appears, and the difference in the temperature of the floor surface is felt by the foot.

• installing thermostats will avoid overheating and reduce the cost of operating the system.

Water heated floor in the apartment from central heating

Important. Installing a heated floor system in an apartment is associated with a number of difficulties. In particular, it is necessary to submit the project to the housing office or the society of co-owners, as well as the district heating network. After approval of the project, obtain a conclusion on the possibility of installing the system. Typically, installation is permitted only in new houses where there is a separate riser for pumping out hot water (used in case of a breakthrough).

Installation of heated floors in the bathroom is allowed by connecting through the outlet to the coil from the heated towel rail. A permit is not required to heat a small area.

In addition to the component installation diagram, the type (type) of the underfloor heating system is selected at the design stage.

1. Concrete system. Involves filling pipes with concrete (arrangement of screed);
2. Laying system. Involves the use of wood or polystyrene flooring. In this case, there are no “wet” processes and the speed of work increases.

Stage 2 - components for heated floors

A water-heated floor is a complex system of pipes containing a coolant. Therefore, we list what is needed to install a heated floor (system components).

Boiler for warm water floor

The best and most common option in a private house (apartment) is to connect to gas boiler. If the apartment does not have individual heating, you can connect to the central heating main, but the autonomy of the project is lost.

It is also possible to use electric water floors. Their peculiarity is that the heating cable is laid inside the pipe, which guarantees uniform heating of the coolant (water, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol) along the entire length of the circuit. The undoubted advantage is the possibility of installation in apartment buildings (since they are not connected to the heating main, which means there is no risk of damage to the mounting unit). But there is also significant drawback- high cost of electricity, which is necessary to ensure the functioning (heating) of the system.

The design power of the boiler should be 15-20% higher than the total power of all floors in the room.

Circulation pump for heated floors

Necessary to ensure the movement of coolant in the system. The pump built into the boiler will not cope with the load if the area of ​​the house exceeds 100 square meters.

Pipes for warm water floors

• copper pipes according to experts are considered ideal option- durable, characterized by high heat transfer, but their cost will significantly increase the installation budget;

• metal-plastic pipes leading in terms of price/quality ratio. Their composition eliminates the occurrence of corrosion and accumulation, which leaves the diameter of the pipe flow section unchanged. Besides, metal-plastic pipes They are light in weight, bend easily and have a high temperature limit.

• polypropylene pipes They are attracted by the low price, but there is a high probability of buying a low-quality product.

• PEX pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene are reliable, but require rigid fastening, because when heated, they straighten. Users recommend reducing the mounting step of the holders when using PEX pipes by 2-3 times.

The optimal cross-section is 16-20 mm. Pipe consumption per 1 sq.m. 5-6 m.p. (with a step of 200 mm).

Note. According to reviews, users advise using the products only famous brands(Uponor, Rehau).

Insulation for warm water floors

The following materials can be used as thermal insulation:

• foil polyethylene (with a minimum design thickness of the heated floor);

• expanded polystyrene. Users recommend using ready-made thermal insulation mats that have protrusions for laying pipes with a pitch of 50x50 mm;

• mineral wool. Users speak poorly of wool when installing a concrete system due to the ability of mineral wool to absorb some of the moisture from the solution.

Advice. Thermal insulation layer (thickness of insulation for a heated floor) above the basement, in ground floor, on the ground floor in a private house, should be thicker. In addition, the higher the expected coolant temperature, the thicker the thermal insulation layer needs to be made.

Heat consumption meter

Installing a heat meter in an apartment is relevant when obtaining permission to install a water-heated floor in an apartment building.

Manifold cabinet

Installed for installation of adjusting elements and joining of circuit pipes with the heat supply main.

Reinforcing mesh for heated floors

Users have different opinions regarding the installation of reinforced stacks. In general, the reinforcement mesh will further strengthen concrete screed after laying the pipe system.

Components for the screed device

• concrete (cement, sand, water);
• damper tape 100-150 mm wide;
• fasteners for fixing pipes.

Stage 3 - installation of a warm water floor with your own hands

1. Installation of the manifold cabinet

Installation of the system begins with the installation of a manifold cabinet, mandatory elements which are (manifold unit): manifold, pump, vent valve and drain outlet. The dimensions of the collector depend on its configuration. It is recommended to install the collector at an equal distance from all circuits. If it is impossible to follow this recommendation, near the longest of the contours.

Important. When installing the collector, free space is provided for bending pipes. In this case, it is not allowed to install pipes from above, only from below. This will ensure normal coolant movement. Installing a shut-off valve between the piping system and the collector will simplify maintenance of the system if necessary (prevention, draining, repair).

2. Preparing the base for heated floors

The surface is cleared of debris, differences in floor heights (slopes, elevations) are eliminated.

Laying is carried out on the prepared surface thermal insulation material, reducing heat loss through the floor. Next, a waterproofing film is covered. Laying a damper tape eliminates the thermal expansion of the concrete screed.

Floors under water-heated floors must be leveled to ensure equal screed thickness (the key to uniform heat distribution over the surface)

3. Laying pipes for heated floors

Installation of water heated floor pipes can be performed using several methods (layout diagrams):

Snail

The pipes are laid around the perimeter of the room, tapering towards the center. It is necessary to lay pipes through a row to ensure the possibility of reverse flow of the coolant and more uniform heat transfer.

The method is used when in view complex configuration rooms need to shift the center of the pipe system, as well as in rooms with an area of ​​more than 40 square meters.

Snake (loop)

In this case, the pipe from the heater runs along the outer wall, then returns back in a wave-like manner. The scheme is suitable for small spaces.

Meander (double snake or combined pattern)

The loops of the snake are arranged in parallel and allow you to organize the movement of warm and cooled coolant through the pipes. This method is good because it allows you to compensate for the cooling of the pipes.

Material prepared for the website www.site

Advice. Masters advise starting installation from the outer or colder walls of the room.

To perform the layout correctly, it is recommended that a beginner first apply markings to the floor surface. At the time of installation of heated floors in subsequent rooms, installation will be done “by eye”. For installation, only solid pipes or reliable connections are used.

Pipe laying begins by connecting one end to the supply manifold.

You can organize insulation near external walls by changing the order of the pipes, as shown in the diagram.

After laying the pipe on the designated contour, it is fixed with a clamp. Alternatively, you can use dowels and tie the pipe to them using copper wire or lay a reinforcing mesh on the floor and tie the pipe to it, allowing for thermal expansion of the materials.

The work is simplified by a ribbed polystyrene substrate under a heated water floor, the use of which simultaneously allows for thermal insulation and laying pipes in even rows.

4. Connecting the underfloor heating manifold

After laying the circuit, the free end of the pipe is connected to the return manifold.

5. Pressure testing of water heated floors

Pipe crimping ( hydraulic test), this is the name given to the procedure for checking the quality of installation, because at this stage it is possible to make adjustments to the water heated floor heating system.

Pressure testing involves introducing water into the system under high pressure. The pressure recommended for testing exceeds the calculated operating pressure by 1.5-2 times (at least 0.6 MPa). In the first half hour of pressure testing, a pressure reduction of no more than 10% is permissible, in the next 2 - 15% of original value. The water temperature remains unchanged. The verification time is a day or more. If no violations are detected and the floor warms up evenly, you can continue work.

6. Screed for heated water floors

For screed can be used:

• any ready-made mixture, the mandatory characteristic of which is the ability to conduct heat well;

• classic concrete (with cement grade of at least M 300) with the addition of a plasticizer (3-5%).

The height of the screed varies in the range of 3-7 mm. The solution is poured when the system is full (filled with coolant) with the pressure specified during pressure testing. The complete hardening time of concrete is 28 days. For the mixture, the hardening time is determined by the manufacturer.

Note. On the surface of a large area (more than 40 square meters), expansion joints are provided.

Stage 4 - first launch of water-heated floor

After the floor screed has completely hardened (dried), the system is ready to start. It will reach the specified parameters within 2-3 days.

Stage 5 - finishing of the heated floor

The fully finished heated floor is covered finishing material. Today, the most popular flooring remains tile and laminate.

Water-based heated flooring under laminate has become widespread. However, the installation of laminate in this case is carried out with some nuances:

• The quality of the laminate must be confirmed by a certificate. After all, when it is heated, it will release into the room harmful substances. Typically, laminate flooring is labeled “Warm wasser”;

• the heat insulator does not fit under the laminate;

• Ventilation of the laminate floor is required. To do this, a gap of 10-15 mm thick is left around the perimeter, which is then covered with a plinth;

• Before laying, the laminate is placed in the room to set the floor temperature. In this case, packages with lamellas should be placed on the floor, and not stacked in one high stack.

As you can see, using laminate as a floor covering does not create any additional difficulties, but experts advise using a water-heated floor under the tiles. This is due to the fact that the laminate has low thermal conductivity (the thicker the lamella, the lower this indicator), and it also contains connectors whose evaporation does not in the best possible way may affect the health of the residents of the house.

How to make a water heated floor with your own hands - video

Water heated floors will last for a long time if you follow the recommendations for their use, which contain user reviews. The main requirements are as follows:

• a gradual increase in temperature is necessary. You cannot run the system at “maximum” after a period of inactivity (until the floor has completely cooled). Users recommend a stepwise increase - by 4-5 °C per day;

• the temperature of the incoming coolant should not exceed 45 °C;

• It is not recommended to turn the system on/off frequently. This will not result in additional savings;

• need to be provided optimal humidity in room. A balanced microclimate will have a beneficial effect on human health.

Conclusion

In addition to installing a warm water floor system inside the house, you can installation work outdoors, for example, to install a snow melting and anti-icing system (for heating pedestrian path, entrance area, porch, stairs, car parking, etc.).