The do-it-yourself (DIY) phenomenon that swept across the U.S. almost ten years ago shows no signs of dying out any time soon. Homeowners with a little skill and lots of help have been tackling all sorts of home renovations from laying new tile in the bathroom to building an entire addition. But one exception to the DIY fever seems to be in-floor radiant heating. Perhaps do-it-yourselfers are intimidated by the idea, but it's actually not hard if you have experience with the other processes involved.
If you're thinking about a do-it-yourself in-floor radiant heating project, you first need to check with your local building inspector. You may be allowed to do the whole job yourself, or you may need to hire a licensed contractor for parts of it. For example, if you were installing a water-based system you may be allowed to run the tubing, but a licensed installer may be necessary to do the boiler work. At the very least you'll probably need some permits and inspections along the way.
If your installation is really a modification of an existing system, such as converting cast iron radiators to an under floor system, you might want to seriously consider enlisting a professional. The calculations and planning for such a modification can be more challenging to get right than most people realize.
For completely new installations the work is pretty straight forward if you can follow directions. There are even dozens of companies across the country that can design and build a system according to the measurements that you supply. The system is shipped to your door with detailed instructions. Even live technical support is available with some suppliers.
While the installation of the system itself is not difficult, you really should have at least a fundamental understanding of the other elements involved. That means if your radiant floor heating will be installed in a concrete slab, you need to know the basics of working with concrete. For hydronic systems you need to know about plumbing, and electric systems require a basic understanding of how electricity works.
Regardless of the system you use, you should also familiarize yourself with the insulation in your home. Not that it has any direct impact on the heat system installation. Rather, you want to be sure your entire home is maximized for radiant floor heating so that you're not throwing your hard earned money away.
Finally, you should have a basic understanding of flooring materials and their ability to insulate. Heavy carpet tends to have a negative effect on in-floor radiant heat were ceramic tile does not. Your choice of flooring material will ultimately be one of the most important you'll make during the entire process.
Do-it-yourself in floor radiant heating can be a miracle from heaven if installed correctly or a never-ending nightmare if done incorrectly. If you decide to go for it, take your time, read and follow instructions, and never be ashamed to ask questions.