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Installing PEX tubing in concrete slabs
Pex tubing is made up of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). The cross linking process in PEX tubing is such that it makes it stronger to tolerate high pressure and high heat. This type of tubing is set in the concrete slab and it circulates the hot water which heats the room. This type of tubing also has its use in greenhouses so that the plants can be kept warm. Pex is quite flexible form of tubing and can easily be joined to special fittings. When used for radiant heating this tubing is placed under concrete slab which are placed in the form of coils like snake. Thickness of the typical concrete slab is 4-6"thick.- Instructions for using the PEX tubing in a concrete slab are as follows:
- 1) PEX tubing layout: The layout of the PEX tubing is the key to do the good radiant heating system. This will also help to determine the tubing and loops requirements. For laying a well scaled tubing layout, one should have the complete information about the wall, partitions or any other area that does not require heating.
- 2) All the electrical and the plumbing requirements need to be verified and installed before the tubing is done.
- 3) The base of the slab should be leveled and well compacted so that the thickness and the stability of the slab are assured.
- 4) The vapor barrier needs to be installed so that it prevents the concrete to absorb the moisture. The vapor barrier should be overlapped over the edges of the slab to ensure zero vapor permeability.
- 5) The next step is to install the radiant insulation.
- 6) Reinforcement needs to be installed so that the long life and stability can be assured. Reinforcement can be done with welded wire or rebar and it depends on the thickness and the size of the concrete slab.
- 7) By using the tubing layout and spray paint one can draw PEX circuits according to the scale.
- 8) The following step is to install radiant manifolds at the designated locations.
- 9) This step involves the installation of the PEX tubing. For PEX tubing, one needs to select the circuit to be installed and to determine the coil of PEX tubing. One should remember that the length of the coil is longer by at least 15 to 20 Ft than selected circuit. For securing the PEX tubing, use wire ties, mesh clips, staples, form boards or any method approved by the manufacturer.
- 10) After this step one can test the pressure of the system. Many suppliers also supply the test kit with radiant manifold.
- 11) One needs to make sure that the system is under pressure while pouring the cement and make sure to cover the tubing completely.
PEX Tubing, Radiant Heat Manifolds, Taco Circulator Pumps, Takagi Water Heaters