Go BottomIn floor radiant heat systems - Help
 | Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 955 Central Iowa 
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2007-01-19 138934
Need a quick info. A house we are considering buying has the infloor (concrete) heat system in the basement. They put ceramic tile over the concrete floor. Can we put a layer of carpet and carpet pad over the cermaic tile and be ok with the heat system?
I say yes but the wife doesn't remember her thermodynamics from college. So those with knowledge, please help.
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 | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon 
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2007-01-20 138935
I've been doing some research into retrofitting radiant floor heat on our main floor. It seems that where there is carpet or thick rugs the pipe density is increased quite a bit. Here we have 3/4" oak on top of 1" subfloor. We have some real thick tibetan rugs with pads. In those areas with rugs we are doubling pipe density. There's probably no reason you couldn't install the carpet but it is likely to reduce heating effectiveness a fair amount. Sorry, I can't give you exact numbers. ....
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 | hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2007-01-20 138938
Iowa; Do the sellers have any information as to how much and of what material was used as insulation under the concrete? I'm not an engeneer or heating expert, but I'll give you my farm boy logic. Heat is going to move in the direction of least resistance. If the insulation under the concrete has more resistance to heat movement than what is above the concrete then logic says the heat will come up. The concrete, the ceramic tile, the carpet pad, and the rugs are all forms of mass that can absorb heat and pass it on till it finally is transfered to the air and other objects above the mass. The heat all has to go some where in time, so my thought is that you will get all the heat the heating system produces in time, maybe just in a delayed manner till the heat works it's way up thru the total mass. I could be all wet on this but anyway just my thoughts. Best of luck on whatever you buy. Frank. ....
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 | earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2007-01-20 138943
I have to think that it depends on what type of pad and carpet you're using.
What about condensation forming (i.e. mold and mildew)between the layers when the cold basement air meets the warmer floor? ....
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| kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2007-01-20 138949
The heat will take the path of least resistance. That may mean that it travels sideways and heats the areas that aren't carpeted (like under the walls or cabinets or toilet). Hmm, a heated toilet might be nice on those cold mornings :) ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2007-01-22 138997
I don't have a carpet on top of any, but I recall them saying it would be no problem, but the underpadding has to be a certain type, something about the cellular structure, in order for it to conduct the heat instead of insulating it.
The carpet padding normally used in a basement helps insulate the cold floor a lot, if you use that it won't work as well.
Ken, I have a heated toilet, and yes, it's very nice on cold mornings. ;)
Best of luck. ....
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| Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 955 Central Iowa
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2007-01-22 139042
Thanks guys. We decided not to go with that house. They did some things that we'd have to undo. Tragically, the new place is only 1 acre so I don't know how long I'll be able to keep the tractor. Sigh... ....
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