How It Works: Retrofitting Low Profile Underfloor Heating
Installation Instructions
The FLEXIRO low profile underfloor heating is a system kit that has been optimised for easily upgrading the existing heating system and for retrofitting in individual rooms such as bathrooms or kitchens. All required components are assembled in a complete kit. The use of a flexible 10mm polyethylene plastic pipe ensures a low construction height, even heat distribution and planning flexibility compared with conventional underfloor heating systems.
The retrofitting of underfloor heating is simplified by the use of plug-in connections and Kompa boxes for individual temperature control, so that FLEXIRO is equally suitable for professional installers and do-it-yourself enthusiasts. The following panels illustrate the installation steps in a test setup for the installation variant with clip rails.
SCOPE OF SUPPLY FLEXIRO-10 KIT UNDERFLOOR HEATING WITH CLIP RAILS
Please refer to the PDF installation guide for the kit components. You will also find further accessories and suitable tools in the FLEXIRO Shop.
NOTE:
The same also applies to the FLEXIRO thin-bed underfloor heating system: working on heating systems requires sufficient technical knowledge and skills. If necessary, have the installation carried out by a professional installer.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE STARTING THE INSTALLATION
Determine the arrangement of the heating circuits. The installation position of the Kompa Box should be chosen so that the heating pipes from all heating circuits can be routed directly to the Kompa Box without extending the heating pipes.
Note: Kit 2.5 m² = 1 heating circuit; 5.0 m² = 2 heating circuits; Kit 7.5 m² = 3 heating circuits and 10.0 m² = 4 heating circuits
The underfloor heating pipes can generally be shortened. However, it must be ensured that the differences in length between the individual connections are not too great (max. 15% differences in length).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE STARTING THE INSTALLATION
Avoid crossing pipes in order to take full advantage of the low construction height of thin-bed underfloor heating.
Always make sure that the plastic pipe is cut straight and burr-free. The pipe must not be squashed or kinked.
The installation of distributors and pipes does not require any special tools.
PREPARING THE INSTALLATION
The existing substrate must be level, clean, dry and load-bearing. Any primers can already be applied.
Before laying the pipes, determine the position of the connection distributors for the underfloor heating. The arrangement of the heating system and the positioning of the KOMPA boxes can be planned individually. Please ensure that the control valve can always be reached later. It must be possible to insert the pipe ends into the individual connections after assembling the manifolds. (Note the height from the floor)
INSTALLING THE KOMPA BOX SINGLE ROOM CONTROLLER
In order to provide efficient temperature control, the Kompa Box should be positioned in such a way that the thermostatic head can detect the temperature of the indoor air and the air can flow around it unhindered.
The separately enclosed installation and operating instructions must be observed.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE STARTING THE INSTALLATION
At the beginning of the work, edge insulating strip which is at least 20 mm wide should be laid around the area that will have floor heating. Columns and similar structures should also be edged with insulation strip to allow the entire floor structure to expand.
A permanently elastic joint sealant should then be subsequently applied to the edge insulating strip.
LAYING THE CLIP RAILS
When installing the clip rails, make sure that they are adequately fastened. It should no longer be possible to move them in a horizontal or vertical direction after they have been installed.
The clip rails should lie flat on the floor to ensure that the pipes are securely fixed.
LAYING THE HEATING PIPES
Cut out any kinks or damaged areas on the heating pipe. The pipe must be reconnected with a permanently tight coupling (plug-in connector). The coupling must be protected from direct contact with the casting compound by wrapping it in PE film. The position of the coupling must be marked. After this repair the pipes may have to be extended.
CONNECTING TO THE KOMPA BOX
The distributor arms are connected to the Kompa Box with a Eurocone screw connection. The Eurocone has a self-sealing effect while the metal screw connection has a purely safety-related function. Over-tightening should be avoided as this would compromise the safety of the heating system.
CONNECTING TO THE KOMPA BOX
The arrangement of the heating pipes in the Kompa Box is shown here. The heating pipes are connected to the distributor arms by means of a simple plug-in assembly. The heating pipes that have just been cut and possibly shortened are inserted directly into the plug-in connections of the distributor arms up to the stop.
CONNECTING TO THE HEATING SYSTEM
As a rule, you can integrate your FLEXIRO underfloor heating system into the existing heating system parallel to the other radiators or instead of a radiator.
Make sure that the supply and return lines are correctly connected in the KOMPA Box. Mixing up the supply and return lines in the KOMPA Box will disable the thermostatic valve and prevent the underfloor heating from functioning.
APPLYING THE FLOOR SURFACE
The underfloor heating must be turned off when applying the self-levelling underlayment (levelling compound)!
The minimum construction height is 12 mm if a ceramic floor surface is chosen.
With other floor surfaces, the self-levelling underlayment should provide an additional covering of at least 5 mm above the heating pipe. All floor coverings must be rated "suitable for underfloor heating".
COMMISSIONING (HEATING UP PROCESS)
After completion and once the surface covering has naturally dried, the heating-up process is carried out. If you have laid tiles, do not begin operating the underfloor heating system until the tile adhesive has completely hardened. The heating-up is usually carried out according to a heating-up protocol. It is essential that you follow the manufacturer's instructions in this regard.
Despite the simplified construction of underfloor heating, we must point out here that we as the manufacturer can only guarantee perfect factory delivery, but not installation and connection by third parties. Please also observe the currently valid standards and regulations for heating systems.
Installation Guide - DIY Underfloor Heating Kit with Clip Rails Comprehensive installation guidelines with all required infomation to retrofit a water underfloor heating system using clip rails.1,006 KB