Last winter, a floor heating loop froze in the basement floor. I have now removed all the tiles on the third that is damaged. By reading here, I have concluded that I should NOT cut channels for the hose in my cast floor due to smoke and a lot of work. I will lay a new loop directly on the concrete floor and either mix concrete or use self-leveling compound over it. The area is about 15 m2. So now the question is whether I should use self-leveling compound or regular concrete? The hose will be 20 mm. I was thinking about a thickness of 22-27 mm. I will secure the hose to the floor with clamps that I will screw directly into the old floor with plugs.
The self-leveling compound costs about 4300 SEK at Byggmax. If I mix my own concrete, it might cost around 500 SEK. I already have sand and gravel.
The floor is 2 years old and completely level.
But what do you think?
The self-leveling compound costs about 4300 SEK at Byggmax. If I mix my own concrete, it might cost around 500 SEK. I already have sand and gravel.
The floor is 2 years old and completely level.
But what do you think?
It is commonly said that the hose should be covered with at least 30 mm of concrete or float, including tiles, so that the heat in the floor is distributed properly and the floor does not feel striped. That's how I've understood it anyway. If you do it that way, it will be very expensive with leveling compound. My tip is to use concrete, even if you have to wait a month before laying the floor. But there must be someone else here who knows this better than I do 
Jeppeknaster is completely right.
Which means you lose a lot of ceiling height, so I vote for repairing. There are approved repair joints.
But can't you locate the leak to less than 5 m2? In that case, break up, you probably don't need to saw, it gets so infernally dusty (sticky if you water).
You're not "lucky" enough that you cast the previous loop as shallow?, then you just need to tap with a (sledge)hammer along the loop trace.
If you insist on laying new, then 12mm hose is an option? It will be two loops, but the overlay decreases to 15mm, then you end up close to your intended building dimensions.
Which means you lose a lot of ceiling height, so I vote for repairing. There are approved repair joints.
But can't you locate the leak to less than 5 m2? In that case, break up, you probably don't need to saw, it gets so infernally dusty (sticky if you water).
You're not "lucky" enough that you cast the previous loop as shallow?, then you just need to tap with a (sledge)hammer along the loop trace.
If you insist on laying new, then 12mm hose is an option? It will be two loops, but the overlay decreases to 15mm, then you end up close to your intended building dimensions.
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The original loop lies at the bottom under the concrete directly on the insulation. The insurance company has tried to locate the leak but has not found it. They agree to pay for my water damages, which are 0 in this case. They do not want to pay for the actual repair. Since it's the basement, I don't care much if the heating is unevenly distributed. I think it will be concrete with about 25 mm height. Then tiles will be added. I still have 2.25 meters in ceiling height in the basement.
Ok, but you're using a 12mm hose then, right?
I have embedded both 12 and 16mm tubing in self-leveling compound, but with only 15 and 20 mm total thickness, then tiles on top. No problems at all, the heat spreads nicely, and in your case, it's just to get a surface to lay tiles on.
15m2 might be on the borderline for 12mm, but it can be laid with smaller cc measurement (15cm) than the 20mm tubing.
Concrete seems too cumbersome to get smooth.
15m2 might be on the borderline for 12mm, but it can be laid with smaller cc measurement (15cm) than the 20mm tubing.
Concrete seems too cumbersome to get smooth.
It will not be good with a 20mm hose and so little overlay, the heat becomes very striped and it feels uncomfortable. Worse than having no heat at all in the floor, I think. Why don't you want a 12mm hose? Lay two 12 loops and it will be good.....?
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