There's first time for everything....

[NozSpark]

Just been back to a customer who's place I wired (new build), it included a couple of UFH mats... one worked no problem, the other one however didn't

after testing I found that the mat is open circuit since the floor has been tiled, obviously I test out of the box and once installed with photo's etc.. (it was ok when I left!)

so it seems that the tiler has damaged this one :_| , so it seems that this is going to be avery expensive un heated floor:_| :_| :_|

 

[betty swollocks]

can be fixed,

i had a similar job last year, customer called the mat maker, im sure it was heatmat, and they sent out an engineer who 'used a tool waved over the floor'(apparently! lol) for finding the fault, found the break, smashed and lifted tile, made repair, tiler then laid new tile later...

 

[kme]

"warmup" do a similar service.........

The engineer comes out, locates fault, smashes tile, repairs damage, and replace tile (IF spare tile is on site!)

Had to use them when a tiler caught wire with notched trowel, and sliced it.......

KME

 

[NozSpark]

It was a Levante kit... will have to give them a ring in the morning.

Any idea of the cost of sorting this?

 

[initforthemoney]

A LOT

 

[a1spark]

A LOT

..FOR THE TILER ..

 

[NozSpark]

Well...

either the tiler or they are paying (if they decide they want it fixed that is)

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

There is a device for the tilers that uses crocodile clips to attach to the UFH mat tails and it monitors the loop, Any break and it bleeps and flashes. A tiler damaged a mat on a job of mine and he had to pay for Heatmats repair service & got sacked as the monitor was still in its box on the window sill.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Here's one, http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk/images/thermonet-heatmat-monitor-6010.jpg others availible

 

[tom1]

A LOT

i think warm up will come out for 1 free repair, might be befor the tiles are laid though

There is a device for the tilers that uses crocodile clips to attach to the UFH mat tails and it monitors the loop, Any break and it bleeps and flashes. A tiler damaged a mat on a job of mine and he had to pay for Heatmats repair service & got sacked as the monitor was still in its box on the window sill.

watchdog if i remeber correctly.

 

[Robin Spark]

If you already had one would a cable of fuse finder possibly work in this instance? Might be worth a try to keep the customer happy? Or what about a stud sensor that tells if a live wire is present and you just scan over the floor until it stops showing there arent any live wires?

Dunno if it will work, just a thought:good luck:

 

[kme]

It may do Robin, dependant on the depth of the UFH, was it screeded or self-levelled before install (not on this job, obviously, but generically). It would also depend on the type of UFH installed (mat, ribbon, wire etc). Further, I think you`d need to know the layout of the coil (esp. in the case of a loose wire), for this to be advantageous.

The odd thing is that, especially in the case of loose wire, it`s a resistive conductor with an earthed screen; so any damage theoretically creates a short to screen (CPC).

I used to leave a cheap multimeter with the tiler, pre-connected, with my resistance / continuity readings already written down before tiler arrived. Then I`d re-test during / after tiling done.

I believe warmup used to do free callout, once, but it was only before tiles laid - afterwards they charged. Guesstimating (about 5 years ago) it cost about

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

I tried to trace the fault with a sensitive volt stick, stud & cable finder and a BT toner all with no luck. I think all forms of UFH have to have the earthed screening which blocks the signal.

 

[NozSpark]

[No message]

 

[NozSpark]

just spoke to a guy who fixes ufh...

Said he'd come to North Wales and fix it for

 

[Andy™]

I tried to trace the fault with a sensitive volt stick, stud & cable finder and a BT toner all with no luck. I think all forms of UFH have to have the earthed screening which blocks the signal.

disconnect the earth?

 

[ianmacd]

Unlikely to help as you basically have a faradays cage. You could connect the earth to line.

Must be hard for the muppet to cut the cables when they are inside a screened cable.

 

[Andy™]

youd think it would be hard... but then we all know what tilers & plasterers are like

 

[tom1]

they should use plastic trowels.

it is tough stuff, have seen a big travertine tile stood on its edge on the wire befor

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

I have watched a tiler running a Stanley knife across the heating element whilst cutting the mesh, its not that tough. When i commented he taped up the cut I was not that bothered as it was not part of my job :^O