Concrete flooring with UFH - is this reasonable??!!!

[Newkidontheblock]

Hi All,

I'm new to all this,just bought my first house. Some help would be much appreciated!

We currently have the following:-

Sand
Dpm
Insulation
Underfloor heating pipes

We are in the process of obtaining quotes for concrete to go over the pipes. We were told by a builder that we would require about 5 cubic metres and this would be completed in a day. This will cover the whole ground floor of a 3 bed terrace. The quote comes in at £1,400.... Reasonable??? He will lay in total a thickness of 5 inches.

Any ideas or thoughts would be great.

Many thanks guys

 

[pinenot]

Need a lot more information on the contract before answering that one. Sand, DPM, insulation, underfloor heating pipes??? what all is the builder doing?...pinenot

 

[Newkidontheblock]

We already have in place the sand dpm insulation & heating pipes.

The builder would just be laying the concrete with a self levelling compound in. He suggests 5inch depth of concrete. Too much?

Does the quote for laying 5 cubic metres sound reasonable?

Thanks
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[pinenot]

Confused! are you saying the under floor heating pipes are to buried underneath 5" of concrete, that's not right. Or are you saying that there's a 5" screed going on top and where then does the self leveling come in???

Have a look at this link, as I think theres a lot of cross purpose communication going on here - http://www.ukunderfloorheating.co.uk/technical/floor_construction/

You only need concern yourself with the solid floor section and the drawing therein shows a concise view of how your floor should be...pinenot

 

[Newkidontheblock]

I refer you to your website link

Look at the diagram:-
"
Underfloor heating in a concrete floor

Concrete floor/structural floors are very similar to a screed floor, its built up from the DPC with the insulation on top. Underfloor heating pipes are then laid and concrete is poured on top to the finished floor level, this way you only lay screed/concrete once unlike the screed floors

"
I believe this is what we are having done. So we can place the concrete mix with the self leveling compound on top of this. However I'm worried whether 5 inches is too thick.

Thanks

 

[pinenot]

Yeh I understand the principle behind the heating pipes buried under the concrete, don't like it, but understand it, and posted this site to enable you to clarify exactly what the builder is doing for this price? still awaiting the answer to this.
Now if the concrete is put down with a finished top there would be no need for a screed, apart from that you couldn't apply this in the same day as laying the concrete anyway, you need three days setting and curing before you could apply a screed. Ditto with any self leveling (compound, I presume this is what you were referring to?) Finally if for any reason you have a leak in the buried concrete covered pipes, whatever thickness you finally decide on, that's how much concrete you'll have to burst up to get to the leak(s) As this is a domestic, I wouldn't consider that if it were me.
Now let's go back, you ask if the price sounds ok for the concrete work envisaged, ready mixed concrete costs on average £100/cube delivered, you say you need 5 cubes so that's £500, what's the builder doing for £900? how many man hours are we talking about (men x hours worked) Is the builder supplying the concrete/screed/self leveling compound???...pinenot

 

[Newkidontheblock]

The builder will be supplying the concrete in a truck (5 cubic metres). He will have 4 guys on site and all of the floor will be down in a day.

What thickness would you suggest on top of the UFH pipes?

Thanks

 

[pinenot]

I doubt if you'll get a definitive answer to the cost question, let's just say it's not what I'd call a rip off. As to the depth for the pipes, that's a question best answered by the manufacturer, or supplier if they are specialists. Can you possibly get the manufacturers rep to call and review the situation, and advise accordingly?...pinenot

 

[pinenot]

Why are you asking the same basic question on two different sectors???
You already have "pred & deluks" answering the same questions, that's not allowed in the rules and could be construed as bad manners ...pinenot

 

[Newkidontheblock]

I didn't realise there were rules about obtaining more than 1 opinion. As you pointed out in the website you directed me to , there are numerous methods so I wanted a range of input from various different people.

The more opinions the better. It is a building and flooring question so I posted it in both.

Rude....I wouldn't be offended if someone posted a question in 2 areas that are relevant. They are just wanting some opinions and it's the whole point of a DIY forum

 

[Newkidontheblock]

I think you like Einstein quotes....

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning.”

I will keep questioning until I'm happy with an answer or understand the situation.