Underfloor heating & wetroom / walk-in shower advise

Delorian

I'm in the process of constructing a bathroom from near scratch and have decided to try for a wetroom with underfloor heating throughout rather than squeezing in a whirlpool that would be rarely used. However I'm finding it difficult to find information on the installation. So I've a few questions I was hoping someone hear would be able to help with.

Wetroom:

• How much work is involved in sealing the floor below the tiles?
• Is there particular type of tiles you must use or are most standard types suitable?
• How easy / possible is maintenance? I suppose if anything needs to be sorted, most of the tiles need be taken up.

Underfloor heating:

• Should I be talking to the tiler, plumber, electrician or all of these about installing UFH?
• How well does UFH work? Is it worth the effort considering the cost of running it?
• Once again, how easy / possible is maintenance? Is the fact that it will be below a wetroom a risk?

Lastly, if you could suggest any suppliers or installation companies that I could discuss the work with, I'd be most grateful. Hope you can help.

CJhaughey

In my limited experience of our bathrooms , the floor is easy to seal, you must use a tanking system, ie either a membrane that is bonded to the floor that creates a waterproof layer or some form of paint on sealant that will stop water ingress.
There is a lot of work to make it right, you will need several coats of the paint on sealant to make it truly waterproof.
You will also need the special tape that is used at wall/wall or wall/floor junctions to bridge the gap.
Standard tiles are fine, we used porcelain because they were the colour we wanted.
Ripping anything up is a one time deal, the tile cement sets very strongly and bonds well to the tiles.

UFH
The simplest and most convenient method is to use electrically powered cables.
These have many suppliers but DEVI is a good brand and is well supported here.
There is a couple of different ways you can do it.
1, do what I did and chase a thin channel in the concrete floor chip it out and put the wire in and backfill with a cement mix and trowel off.
2, Use the ready made mats that are rolled over the floor and tiled on top off.
These are purpose made products designed with bathroom usage in mind and are very reliable.

Delorian

Thanks for that CJ, much appreciated. If anyone else has anything to add, that'd be great too.

lollipop08

Found this PDF on a Dublin bathroom web site. Maybe it will be of some help.

http://www.surface.ie/brochures/wetroom_3.pdf

It basically outlines the steps involved in doing a wet room.

Don't forget to slant the floor slightly towards the plug-hole, if you are not using a shower tray. Otherwise the water won't drain properly.

Delorian

Thanks for that lollipop, looks like it'll be a help.

Have been talking to my electrician and he's warning me against the cost of the UFH so seems like I'll be steering away from that. Basically he's saying, taking into account how long you have to heat before and how long you're in your bathroom, the cost is huge.

CJhaughey

The cost is not huge, the heating element is 30w and we run it on a thermostat so it is maintains the heat all the time.
Tiles are very cold if not heated, so cold that they become unpleasant to walk on especially in winter.
The cost of the element and associated temp probe/stat is small and the running cost is worth it.
The other advantage is that the floor dries very quickly.
I would recommend that you fit it and try it out if you don't like it you don't have to use it, if you do like it then all is good.
Too late if you decide that the tiles are cold and you want UFH.

Delorian

Thanks again CJ. I agree with what you're saying and have since been talking to the tiler who is also in agreement. It's going to involve a little drilling and probably a bit of chasing already plastered walls, but in the long run, I think you're right in what you say. Apparently it can be expensive to buy, but that's a once off cost. In actual fact, the tiler said he's done it in several bathrooms and has never heard a bad word, and he's raging he didn't do it in his place.

Devi

The Devimats are 100 & 150w/m2. If you had a 150w/m2 Devimat of 3m2 this would equate to aprox €0.07 per hour. If you insulate underneath it should take 20-30 min to take the sting off the floor.

L driver

Devi,
Can you explain more with regards to the heating cables CJH refers to, for living areas, bedrooms etc. Are they controlled by a timer or a stat?

ActingDanClark

i was apprehensive about tackling a wetroom myself and was recommended a guy by the company i bought the bathroom from. he did a quality job and i've since got him 2 jobs. happy to supply the name if you want to pm me. i've no connection with him btw!!;)

L driver

does he supply the heating cables? or just do the tanking etc

Devi

Hi L Driver, Devi no longer operate in Ireland since last summer 2009 therefore I’m not 100% sure this option is available to you anymore. AFAIK there are still some outlets that provide sales of devimats but the back-up service has become minimal. I know an ex-employee (not myself) of Devi that has set up an installation and repair service of Devi products here in Ireland, ill pm you his details.

ActingDanClark

i expect he could do everything in that dept. the website is a bit crappy but is photos of real work done-its the bathroom shop where i bought my own stuff and i've seen it. i didnt go for ufh, didnt think of it tbh-though with a wife and 2 daughters its prob 4 the best as its be on 24/7:D:D:D