Log In
Home
6 Oct ’15
Offline
I know this has been talked about before...I apologize if this thread upsets anyone.
Most of you probably know I am frugal..and don't want to spend money that I don't need to.
Here I go...I am on the fence about putting PEX in the slab poor...the idea is that it would be there if we ever wanted to hook it up and have a thermostatically controlled heating system for some reason down the road.
Our main heat is coal/wood stove, then a couple of electric Infared back up heaters.
My concerns about PEX
1) if/when slab cracks that could rip the PEX (not likely but 'they' all tell me it has happened)..how much of a concern is this really? I don't know.
2) do I really need a heated floor? I don't think K and Speed have any complaints?.
3) I really want to 'cut' the slab to look like 2x2 tiles (for looks and to give the slab an easier place to 'crack')...I know that placement of the PEX in the slab and how deep I cut are critical and a mistake is ugly expense.
4) I am thinking of putting in (or at least making provisions for) a couple of through the wall vented propane fired heaters with thermostats...would be less than a full boiler for a PEX system...but again...this option does not heat the floor...again is the heated floor needed for this type of build?
5) if I don't do PEX then I don't need wire mesh to attach it to...saves me money...and set up time before pour ( I will use the reinforcing fibers in the concrete mix when I pour the slab)
So...is the floor going to be reasonably warm and comfortable enough to not put PEX in???
15 Feb ’12
Offline
Yes pex can fail, you will be jackhammering up your floor if that happens, but the new stuff is pretty durable, when we installed it I was told it could expand to 10 times its size without rupture, don't know how true that is but we have never had a split tube with frozen pipes in the business.
Our floor is reasonably warm, but one word of warning with cement floors especially if you have animals, dust, dust everywhere. It is a constant battle.
I would skip the pex and think about carpet.
6 Oct ’15
Offline
K, you have Pex in the bunker?...or something else?
I know we will have area rugs here and there 10*12 or such.
We will have some critters too...I know with our current house with hard wood floors we have some mean dust bunnies that grow from the all the hair shedding.
There is no way...repeat no way...she will ever do wall to wall.
so K, you do okay with the bare concrete floors and slippers this time of the year? If you tell me "yes"...the pex is out!
...BTW...I have been telling my wife 'that's what K told me'...kind of throwing you under the bus a bit...lol.
15 Feb ’12
Offline
no, we have pex in one part of our business, to be honest I don't like it, it is either too cold or too hot, it's really difficult to find a good balance but we are also dealing with hood systems, make up air units, etc.
Yes, concrete and slippers are fine, I usually walk around with socks or barefoot though.
Well thanks!
The following users say thank you to K for this useful post:
Gravel Road6 Oct ’15
Offline
Okay then, looks like:
1) no Pex (about a 1k in savings on material and fittings right of the bat)
2) no insulation under slab of garage (about 900 on 2 inch under garage slab)
....A $ 1,900 decision in my favor...now if I can do this 10 more times...
15 Feb ’12
Offline
Does your wife really need kitchen cabinets?
6 Oct ’15
Offline
KVR said
Does your wife really need kitchen cabinets?
Ya know...I am pretty basic...I tried to sell her on me setting up a 'camp' kitchen...frame up the base's with 2x4s, 1 plywood shelf, plywood top with sealer and then cover the base with curtains....that didn't go too well...I was even going to let her pick the pattern for the curtains (mossy oak or real tree).
Seriously...I would do this in a heart beat if she would go for it.
...I think we (me) are going to build a Shaker style cabinet and rely on the Kreg Jig.
Most Users Ever Online: 698
Currently Online:
113 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
easytapper: 2149
DangerDuke: 2030
groinkick: 1667
PorkChopsMmm: 1515
Gravel Road: 1455
Newest Members:
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 12
Topics: 11482
Posts: 58640
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 2
Members: 19842
Moderators: 0
Admins: 1
Administrators: K
