DIY Network

Floor Heating System From "Bathroom Renovations" episode DBTR-407

The team gets started on laying cement board along the subfloor. The floor warming system is then laid over the cement board. It's then time to dry fit the tiles to their exact location.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

Materials:

Cement Board and Floor Heating System

cement board
1-5/8" corrosion-resistant screws
screw gun
electric fault indicator
ohmeter
floor heat mats
acrylic or modified latex thinset
bucket
drill with whip attachment
safety glasses
face mask
1/4" square notched trowel
rubber float
rubber gloves
probe
electrical tape

Tile Layout and Installation

tile
tile spacers
chalk line
tape measurer
marker
1/4" square notch trowel
thinset

Cement Board and Floor Heating System

1. Cut cement board to size. Place cement board on subfloor.

2. Use screw gun to drive screws into cement board every 8" (figure A).

3. Set an ohmeter. Connect wires from floor mat to sensors. Reading should be within 5-10% of factory reading (28) (figure B).

4. Dry fit mat. Move to critical areas where heat is desired (figure C).

5. Mark outside of mat with pencil line to use as a guide so the thinset doesn't extend beyond the mat.

6. Mix thinset. Add thinset mix to water. Mix until it's of soupy consistency.

7. Scoop thinset out of bucket with trowel. Spread thinset with notched trowel in pre-marked areas (figure D).

8. Lay mat over thinset. Smooth out with rubber float. Make sure to apply enough pressure to secure the mat to the floor (figure E).

9. Apply probe 1'-2' off end of mat, near electrical connection, between two hot wires on the mat.

10. Tape down the probe with electrical tape (figure F).

11. Dry fit floor tile. Lay out tiles to determine how to cut them. Keep full tiles in the most visible areas. Measure one tile width plus 1/4" for the first row.

12. Snap a line as the guide.

13. Apply thinset to the back of each and lay tile on mat (figure G).

RESOURCES :

Floor Warming Mat, Programmable Thermostat
Website: www.nuheat.com

Imperial White Honed Marble, Bright Ice White 6x6 Wall Tile
and Bright Ice White 6x6 Wall Bullnose Trim
Website: www.rubbletile.com

Water Heater
Website: www.hotwater.com