Concrete Floors and UFH

Paul Kiernan

Is it true that large concrete floors will usually develop cracks over time and if this is the case will that not cause leaks in UFH pipes embedded in the floor?

Carlosthejakal

I have concrete floors and UFH. Had dug down 150mm insulation, then pipes, then liquid screed. No worries re cracking

Calahonda52

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

Is it true that large concrete floors will usually develop cracks over time and if this is the case will that not cause leaks in UFH pipes embedded in the floor?

You need to distinguish between the concrete floor under the insulation and the covering above the insulation containing the pipework.
Which one are you talking about?

Paul Kiernan

Calahonda52 wrote: »

You need to distinguish between the concrete floor under the insulation and the covering above the insulation containing the pipework.
Which one are you talking about?

There is no concrete floor under the insulation. The Floor makeup is stone, sand, radon barrier, insulation and finally concrete with UFH pipes embedded in it. As in the cover photo and also Figure 8 in this Kingspan brochure -

http://www.kingspaninsulation.ie/getattachment/b9b1aa6b-1f43-451c-913c-2a2530c6bff7/Kooltherm-K3-Floorboard.aspx

JonathonS

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

Is it true that large concrete floors will usually develop cracks over time

Not if the job is professionally designed, specified and installed, but that's easier said than done. I was in the award-winning new Roscommon Co Co offices a few weeks ago and was surprised at the cracking on the new concrete floors. If you use an architect or engineer who is experienced in concrete floors they will specify the mix, depth, type of reinforcement, location of expansion joints, drying time, etc etc, which will greatly reduce the chances of unplanned cracking.

tvisdead

We are building now, I am going to be doing UFH with a 75mm concrete pour.
Gnd floor we have stone, sand, radon barrier 150mm concrete, insulation 165mm and finally concrete with UFH pipes embedded in it power floated.

Calahonda52

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

There is no concrete floor under the insulation. The Floor makeup is stone, sand, radon barrier, insulation and finally concrete with UFH pipes embedded in it. As in the cover photo and also Figure 8 in this Kingspan brochure -

http://www.kingspaninsulation.ie/getattachment/b9b1aa6b-1f43-451c-913c-2a2530c6bff7/Kooltherm-K3-Floorboard.aspx

You are misreading this stuff