Electrics under floor heating

[jaylockwood1978]

Hi, please forgive my lack of knowledge! Went for a second viewing of a propert we love yesterday. Switching things on and off, we saw a control panel and a fuse switch on the wall outside the bathroom. Flicked it on and it tripped the electrics. Turns out its for the underfloor heating in the bathroom. The current tenant has never used it. Should we be worried its tripping the electric? My concern is if its faulty, having to take up the tiles floor and freestanding bath. And obviously the cost of then replacing?
As far as I understand a buildings survey doesn't cover an electric check? Also the extractor hood has never been wired in, would this likely be a costly job?

Thank you very much for your answers and patience in advance

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

If the energising the UFH trips a safety device, then there is an issue somewhere and it is highly likely to be with the UFH, the nature of UFH means remedial work and the removal of tiles cannot be ruled out.
Is this a dry or wet system?

You mentioned tenant, so are you hoping to become a landlord, tenant or homeowner?

 

[ericmark]

In the main under floor heating is useless fitted electric underfloor heating to my mothers wet room and it is never used so just isolate supply and don't worry about it.

As to cooker hood it depends on the cooker. My electric induction cooker produces very little moisture and cooker hood is not required. Father-in-law uses gas and it is required to remove all the moisture made when gas burns. However when you come to look so many hoods are not plumbed in all they have is a carbon filter and they don't pump any moisture outside.

On change of occupant you should have a EICR done as to when is clearly up to you but if you have already found faults you must expect to fine more. Paying only to then not buy is a waste so you have to ask myself will the report reduce what I need to pay or mean that I will not buy house? If so then before contracts are exchanged however if you would still buy if whole re-wire required and no chance of getting reduction in price then do it after.

Only you can decide what to spend out before you buy.

 

[jaylockwood1978]

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, really appreciate it. I'm not fussed by underfloor heating but its annoying that's it's a 'feature' on the description but is faulty. And it's a blessing we tried it as it could uncover more electrical problems in the long run.
Is a re wire a messy job, ie cutting out plaster etc? If needed then it would have to come off the sale price.

Thanks again for your help

 

[SimonH2]

Is a re wire a messy job ...

Depends on the property and what you want doing.

As an absolute minimum (assuming suitable backboxes where you want them, and cables run in conduit so they are easy to change) it will mean floorboards up etc which is a real nuisance in an occupied house with furniture in the way. And open holes in floors are especially "fun" if you have young inquisitive children and animals or elderly and infirm people in the house. I wonder if anyone had put the boards back down, only to hear a quiet "meow" from underneath

At the other extreme it means lots of plaster chasing, lots of mess, lots of disruption - and it usually won't be easy (without a lot of extra work/expense) to leave you with a "working" house each night.

And then add in things like taking the opportunity to add additional sockets and lights etc, and you can see that if you have the opportunity to do it in an empty house then that is the time to do it !

 

[xr4x4]

I disagree on the underfloor heating, I've fitted loads of electric, in bathrooms and conservatorys and it's great.

As long as its installed correctly with insulation under where possible, it works very well.

They don't draw that much power for the size (800-1500watts) they heat a mass, I.e the tiles or the floor.

I'm told by my customers that they are more efficient then a normal heater alone to heat the room.

My 2p.

 

[jaylockwood1978]

All 2p's are helpful to me the main issue is its tripping the electrics so Theresa a fault somewhere. Just don't want it to be a floor up jobbie thinking in terms of putting an offer in. I mean there are 7 cracked tiles in the bathroom anyway so guessing its not been laid on a totally flat surface which is a pain in the rear end as that needs sorting too!!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

It would be hard to diagnose the fault without carrying out tests, do you know which device trips, is it a MCB, RCD/RCCB or a RCBO. These could help to reason why it trips.
Rewire generally very disruptive and messy.
I suggest you ask the vendor if they are willing to contribute towards an electrical installation condition report being made of the existing installation, then you will have a more informed outlook on whether there any minor or major issues that require resolving.
Also are aware how old the UFH system is and if there is a warranty left on it?

 

[Taylortwocities]

If there is a fault in the untertile wiring (sounds like it) then you will have to pull up some tiles to sort it out. Generally this means breaking the tiles.
I hope there are some spares???

Generally puilling up the tiles damages the underfloor heating further. Repairing underfloor heating is possible, but you'd need a manufaturer's kit to do it. And its tricky.


My 2p worth.

 

[knowall]

I disagree on the underfloor heating, I've fitted loads of electric, in bathrooms and conservatorys and it's great.

As long as its installed correctly with insulation under where possible, it works very well.

They don't draw that much power for the size (800-1500watts) they heat a mass, I.e the tiles or the floor.

I'm told by my customers that they are more efficient then a normal heater alone to heat the room.

My 2p.

I would agree. I have it installed and it is very efficient

 

[xr4x4]

I have installed a few under tile wire types before and I can't remember if the actual wire element is earthed?

I mean If the actual wire element has an earth in it.

 

[knowall]

The system I have has an earth running within the heating mat.

 

[xr4x4]

The system I have has an earth running within the heating mat.

Yeah, but mats are installed under wood flooring etc, the wire type are for tiles etc.

 

[knowall]

The system I have is a mesh mat and is designed for under tile.


KA

 

[xr4x4]

The system I have is a mesh mat and is designed for under tile.


KA

ah those ones....