Tiling Over Underfloor Heating
Explore the use of screeds levelling compounds uncoupling mats adhesive and grout.
Tiling over underfloor heating. When tiling over an electric underfloor heating element you must take care to use a full bed of adhesive for each tile. Heated floors cause fluctuations in temperature which makes the screed adhesive and tiles expand and contract. Turning on the system too soon will cause the adhesive to dry up too quickly which will make it weak.
However cracking associated with underfloor heating is a common cause of problems in rigid tiled flooring. Spreading of adhesive should be done with a plastic rather than metal trowel to avoid nicking the cable. When fixing floor tiles over electric under floor heating flexible adhesive and grout should be used as they will absorb the minute changes in movement which occurs as the underfloor heating heats and cools.
This ensures that all of the heating element is contained within the adhesive and the heat can dissipate from the cable into the floor and up into the room. This is because the adhesive needs to be allowed to cure. Prior to commencing tiling the following must be met.
All underfloor pre formed panels must be secured firmly to the substrate and be sound and solid free from movement. It is recommended that the underfloor heating is installed as per the instructions of the heating manufacturer. Tiling with underfloor heating or under tile warming skip to main content.
Bre has investigated many cases where stone or ceramic tiles have been laid on screed only for cracks to appear in the tiles and along grouted joints within weeks of the heating system being operated. Another issue with tiling directly over underfloor heating is the weakening of grout and adhesive if the underfloor heating system is turned on too soon. Installing floors and tiling over underfloor heating underfloor heating in screeds underfloor heating systems are normally installed within the screed especially in new builds.
The underfloor heating must be fully commissioned and pressure tested before tiles are installed to ensure there are no.