Replies

1. 
   Ted W. | Apr 03, 2009 10:02pm | #1

   You can find the center by measuring 3" from the little guiser. No, just kidding.

   Maybe you could carefull cut only to the depth of the flooring with a Multi-Master type tool. Of course, if there is a tube there it would have to be patched, but then you'll know where the tubbing is and you can go from there. You're going to have to charge that customer extra for ignorance. =)

   ~ Ted W ~

   Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.net
   See my work - TedsCarpentry.com

2. 
   EricPaulson | Apr 03, 2009 11:15pm | #2

   Short of having accurate photos of the original install, I would think that an infrared camera would locate the tubing.

   If you can locate the joists you should be able to fairl accurately locate the tubing layout.

    

3. 
   sapwood | Apr 04, 2009 12:05am | #3

   I would have thought the IR thermometer would have worked. They do on concrete floors. But here's a crackpot idea..... how about a stud finder? Or rather, not-a-stud finder. Something that measures the density of the flooring. It'll be different over the tube than next to it.

   Another idea, since I'm full of em today... Try a stethoscope. Maybe you, or your kid who probably still has good ears, can hear the water running through the tube.

1. 
   Ted W. | Apr 04, 2009 02:05am | #4

   Thinking about it, he should hire a really good flooring guy to remove a few boards so you can do your work, then piece the boards back in. The extra cost is the price of not planning ahead.

   Another option, if the floor is accessable from underneath, is to carefully cut out a piece of subfloor to expose the backside (foil plate reflector thingy), which will tell you where the tubing is.~ Ted W ~

   Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com

4. 
   IMERC | Apr 04, 2009 03:13am | #5

   this will do it...

   http://www.boschtools.com/Products/MeasuringAndLayout/Pages/BoschProductCategory.aspx?catid=578

   sold here...

   http://www.boschtools.com/WheretoBuy/OnlinePartners/Pages/default.aspx

    

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!! What a Ride!

   
   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

    

   "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

5. 
   Marson | Apr 04, 2009 03:16am | #6

   A good IR camera would work.

   Is this a regular nail-down floor? If it is, I'd guess your tubes go crossways to the flooring? Otherwise, how did you miss them when you nailed it? I'd remove a piece of flooring or two. Just set your skilsaw to cut exactly the thickness of the flooring, even a little less than that. Then rip a piece lengthwise down the center. Then monster it out of there with a chisel. You have to cut the back of the groove off and face nail the replacement.

1. 
   bigman | Apr 09, 2009 02:38pm | #7

   Thanks for the ideas, the GC looked into the IR camera and decided its cheaper to remove a couple of boards so they can check it and mark the layout/spacing for future reference.

   Dave

1. 
   danski0224 | Apr 09, 2009 02:42pm | #8

   Cheaper as long as the layout doesn't change :)