Replies

1. 
   calvin | Jul 28, 2006 01:09pm | #1

   Pro: In your case it gives you something to cable tie the wirsbo to.  Be sure to place the wire up on stands to keep it in the middle of the pour.

   A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

    

2. 
   andybuildz | Jul 28, 2006 02:09pm | #2

   Theres nothing negative about it unless you like cracks in which case don't use the wire.

   If Blodgett and Gunner say, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!

   TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]

3. 
   MikeHennessy | Jul 28, 2006 04:01pm | #3

   My Wirsbo radiant dealer specified laying 3" of foam over the gravel and stapling the Wirsbo directly to the foam. He rented me a stapler that shot plastic staples and could be used from a standing position. Takes all of 15 minutes per room to roll out and fasten the PEX to the foam. Then, pump it up with air to 60 lbs. and pour as usual. I used fiber reinforced concrete, but wire mesh will work as well. Just be careful when lifting it into the concrete so you don't pull up the PEX with it. (But, NBD if you do.) My dealer says the biggest thing to worry about is damaging the Oxy barrier on the tubing, so just be careful not to abrade it on the wire or with with the wheelbarrow if you use one for concrete delivery. My cement guy poured my slab yesterday and said this method was "sweeeet".

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

1. 
   NRTRob | Jul 28, 2006 04:50pm | #5

   foam staples are definitely the way to go. sooooo much faster!-------------------------------------
   -=Northeast Radiant Technology=-
   Radiant Design, Consultation, Parts Supply
   http://www.NRTradiant.com

4. 
   SamT | Jul 28, 2006 04:42pm | #4

   Pros	Cons
   Helps prevent shrinkage cracks from getting large enough to be noticable	Proper usage is greatly misunderstood
   Makes you feel good	Very hard to put at proper height in concrete
   	Impossible to see if at proper height
   	Very hard to keep at proper height during pour
   	Has little structural value

   SamT
5. 
   TomMGTC | Jul 28, 2006 07:06pm | #6

   Staple the radiant tubing to the foam using plastic staples and have the cement poured with fiber mesh. I just did this (first time) and it took my wife and I only two hours to install five 250' loops start to finish including layout and hookup to the manifolds. I rented the stapler (thanks NRTrob) and would highly recommend thsi method over tying to wire mesh.

   Tom

   Douglasville, GA

6. 
   Tim | Jul 28, 2006 09:48pm | #7

   I don't know if it (the welded wire mesh) is a good idea or a bad idea. I'm pouring a concrete drive right now and chose to have no WWM, but did go with a "6 bag" mix. Is good concrete better than poor concrete with steel reinformcement? I don't know, but IF you decide to use the WWM, put the tubing over the top of if, and get one of those automatic wire tie installers (like a Yankee drill with a hook on the end) and a bundle of the 6" wire ties with loops.