Mounting a spiral staircase on a concrete floor with underfloor heating coils?
Hello!
I'm planning to install a spiral staircase to a loft and I've never done this before. Like so many other things.
The floor is currently raw concrete (haven't laid the inner floor yet) with water-carrying underfloor heating coils.
Can anyone advise me on how to attach the spindle (i.e., the central post) to the floor without using long bolts that might damage the underfloor heating coils?
Wondering Builder
p.s. hiring someone else for the job is not an option. If I've built an entire house, I should manage to set up a staircase.
I'm planning to install a spiral staircase to a loft and I've never done this before. Like so many other things.
The floor is currently raw concrete (haven't laid the inner floor yet) with water-carrying underfloor heating coils.
Can anyone advise me on how to attach the spindle (i.e., the central post) to the floor without using long bolts that might damage the underfloor heating coils?
Wondering Builder
p.s. hiring someone else for the job is not an option. If I've built an entire house, I should manage to set up a staircase.
I understand from your response that my question was too brief. Yes, a thermal camera is an option I hadn't considered.
But how long bolts do I need and what should I keep in mind when installing them (I have never really done this before)? What speaks against attaching to a cast pedestal? How high would a pedestal need to be in that case? What should I consider when reinforcing it - how do the forces from the spindle act; so the concrete doesn't crack? Or would it be better (and perhaps more aesthetically pleasing) to build a pedestal from masonry?
But how long bolts do I need and what should I keep in mind when installing them (I have never really done this before)? What speaks against attaching to a cast pedestal? How high would a pedestal need to be in that case? What should I consider when reinforcing it - how do the forces from the spindle act; so the concrete doesn't crack? Or would it be better (and perhaps more aesthetically pleasing) to build a pedestal from masonry?
If you don't know where the loops are, you can't do anything to the floor; you'll have to cast a heel, but whether it will stay in place is questionable. I would locate the loops and then maybe use a 70mm concrete expansion bolt.
Do you need to fasten it due to lateral forces?
Otherwise, it's the weight of the stairs that loads the floor.
Isn't it enough to set it in suitably strong glue to avoid drilling holes?
If you must reinforce or drill for a bolt, it's just as bad - you might risk damaging the heating coil.
Otherwise, I agree with Stefan, a thermal camera can locate the coils, but it might show that a coil runs exactly where you need a bolt. What do you do then? In that case, the glue alternative might work.
Otherwise, it's the weight of the stairs that loads the floor.
Isn't it enough to set it in suitably strong glue to avoid drilling holes?
If you must reinforce or drill for a bolt, it's just as bad - you might risk damaging the heating coil.
Otherwise, I agree with Stefan, a thermal camera can locate the coils, but it might show that a coil runs exactly where you need a bolt. What do you do then? In that case, the glue alternative might work.
There are certainly no especially large forces in the spindle, you might even be able to glue it if the contact surface is fairly large. The staircase manufacturer surely has recommendations.
Otherwise, you drill holes (100 mm deep is more than enough) and insert expansion bolts, washers, and neat dome nuts. Alternatively, you can use regular threaded rod that is glued in the holes with chemical anchors.
Edit: Roland beat me.
Otherwise, you drill holes (100 mm deep is more than enough) and insert expansion bolts, washers, and neat dome nuts. Alternatively, you can use regular threaded rod that is glued in the holes with chemical anchors.
Edit: Roland beat me.
What does the spider's foot look like?
If... i.e., if you don't want to drill, can't you place the stairs on a metal plate that is glued down?
The force should go straight down, and the stairs are anchored at the top?
Note, just thinking out loud ; )
Otherwise, a thermal camera is a convenient alternative to locate the coils. Concrete slab is a little trickier than in a wooden joist floor, depending on how closely the pipes are placed and the surface level in the concrete etc. (heat distribution), but if you rent a camera and cool down the room and maximize the floor heating, you should get a good result.
The force should go straight down, and the stairs are anchored at the top?
Note, just thinking out loud ; )
Otherwise, a thermal camera is a convenient alternative to locate the coils. Concrete slab is a little trickier than in a wooden joist floor, depending on how closely the pipes are placed and the surface level in the concrete etc. (heat distribution), but if you rent a camera and cool down the room and maximize the floor heating, you should get a good result.
But thank you so much everyone! I don't know what the spindel looks like, I haven't bought the staircase yet and am just in the planning stage. Now I have a bit more knowledge and ideas to move forward with. Eventually, there will be a report on how it went on the construction blog (see the link under the message). Just need to update it... which usually takes a hell... eeehhh.... quite a long time.
But it sounds like it's doable and that I won't have to build a long staircase that takes up a quarter of the room.
But it sounds like it's doable and that I won't have to build a long staircase that takes up a quarter of the room.
Yes, the question is entirely about which forces the attachment should handle. If it's mainly about preventing it from "sliding sideways," then a solution with glue might work. It's just important to have the right type of glue (I guess you should have one that is somewhat flexible).
It's absolutely brilliant! Advertising is good. I've even considered having that particular Weland staircase; it could be kind of cool (if I put wood on top of the steps...) if I paint it in some color... hm... light brick-red hammer paint?
I've even considered having that particular Weland staircase; it could be kind of cool (if I put wood on top of the steps...) if I paint it in some color... hm... light brick-red hammer paint?