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Everything posted by Nickfromwales
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That pipe will last longer than us mate
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Spiral or serpentine UFH layout - which is better?
Nickfromwales replied to low_and_there's topic in Underfloor Heating
Yup. The caveat is that using up the depth of the floor joist means a diminishing space for a high-performance ( or indeed any other ) insulation under the pug screed. Needs a bit more thought Why not fill the depth of the joist space with the best possible insulation, atop the wool product, as a secondary higher ( highest ) performing insulation layer and THEN you can go for a 22mm P5 deck board minus the troughs. 6mm ply on that and you're sorted. -
You will still need to insulate if this is less than 300mm from the perimeter of the foundations. Rockwool plus 25mm wall pipe lagging will suffice. Exp foam is fine with MDPE btw Just spray a little water into the 110mm pipe before applying to help it cure / expand.
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The mention of "Landlord" suggests a rental? If so, raise these concerns with the property owner and allow the installer and the person who paid for the work to be do ne to discuss this between themselves would be the 'correct' path here. As far as the reasons for boarding, if this is a high / multiple occupancy building / flats over flats etc, then the boarding would ( could ) be a fire / smoke barrier and therefore it's installation would ( should then ) have been overseen / inspected by a BCO for correct execution and integrity. As for nails left sticking out to the point they are damaging the LVT flooring, that is just shite workmanship. If you're renting this is not really a matter for forum-folk, more for you to take up independently with the person you pay the rent to.
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Fan Coil Units for use with a (cooling) ASHP
Nickfromwales replied to ProDave's topic in Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
Not relevant, as this is heating which has always used circulation pumps. Gravity has been for feed and expansion only. -
I very rarely test a domestic system like that. District often has 100’s of m’s of pipe in a linear run so it’s part of the installation guidelines. For domestic a blast with the cold mains ( typically around 2-4bar average ) will be more than suffice. Domestic never sees north of 5bar tbh.
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Why test at 10bar? 1-3 is average, over 5-6 you’ll need a PRedV to drop it to 4. Just hook up to the cold mains and use that?
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Don't worry, we'll learn you good, Jethro
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Have you allowed for the restriction of the outlet that each pipe terminated into? VS what will come out of the end of the pipe? All completely academic imho, as larger pipes / higher dynamic flow rates etc are all arrested by the outlet and its governed output rate as set by the European standards for the max typical flow rates ( in line with water consumption regs ). The gross variables involved make this nigh-on incalculable afaic. The flow rates will all shift the second another outlet is opened elsewhere too, so further reducing the dynamic flow rates. For actual real world experiences, I have done multiple 10mm and 15mm radial whole of house installations, with pipe runs up to and beyond 30m, and there are no real world issues at all. Either install a HRC or just wait. As for filling a basin, you simply start shaving BEFORE the basin is full Simples!! Too much maths here, and I genuinely fear you're worry over nothing.
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32mm Waste Pipe in Metal Frame wall
Nickfromwales replied to MortarThePoint's topic in Waste & Sewerage
Don't panic about the fittings as Hep2o stuff is simply bombproof. Defo avoid doing that -
MVHR + FCU's. Scrap the idea of the 40mm pipe to outside, that's mental. Route as you say to the cloakroom waste and run it all in 21.5mm condensate pipe as there will be only a thimble full of water going down the pipe at worst. You can mount the pipe off the true vertical rise eg so any drip where the pipe goes from 1st floor horizontal to the vertical drop cannot give you a drip-drip noise, simply by installing it 2 pipe widths off vertical so the water droplets ( even though.......... ........is typically correct ) cannot fall the full length of the pipe, as you certainly would hear a drip of water falling 1 storey and hitting the pipe again where it returned to horizontal at the cloakroom.
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Airtight walls & fixing stuff to them
Nickfromwales replied to WWilts's topic in New House & Self Build Design
Was that to spray over the entire interior? -
Rationel Windows, recommended way to couple?
Nickfromwales replied to DukeOfTarp's topic in Windows & Glazing
They won’t negate a mechanical fix such as a screw. -
Rationel Windows, recommended way to couple?
Nickfromwales replied to DukeOfTarp's topic in Windows & Glazing
A simple resolve would be to get a cosmetic repair company ( such as Mr.Magic ) to fill and paint the screw holes. Agree a discount to the value of the repair. That will be the end of your problem re cosmetics* “Technically” they’ve done nothing “wrong“, just the fact that the screws weren’t put in on exactly recurring and matching centres is, absolutely, sloppy workmanship. *Closing the gaps for the AT test will be a challenge, but you can use clear CT1 and fill most voids that way. Use baby wipes to clean away excess, but use your finger with a wipe over it to force the excess into the joint vs just wiping it away. CT1 cleans off completely, so don’t worry about getting a bit of it on the face of the frames. Have some CT1 MultiSolve spray to hand for final spit ‘n polish. The installers should carry this out eg before you accept the job as complete, however I would do this myself for assurances that it had been done properly. For others who are due to receive their delivery and have an installation carried out; I am to soon take ( supervise ) delivery of a 5m long 3-panel slider on behalf of a client. After seeing the efforts ( lol ) of the first set of fitters the client and I decided the sliders needed premier installers, so I contacted Dovista ( who own Velfac and Rational ) and they gave me details of a very helpful and competent installation company to come and install. ( PM me for details if anyone wants them ). Regardless of their pedigree, I will be asking for a 30 minute meeting with the installers regarding their intended installation methods, down to every screw / fixing / finish / AT measures / weather resistance & final sealing etc. So, BEFORE they even take their tools out of the van, I will have asked for, and be familiar with, their intended methods / practices. I will be stating that screw holes, if so required, are indeed at recurring / matching / symmetrical intervals and will accept nothing less. Ask questions people, it’s your money and 100% your prerogative to do so. Expecting things to “go well” with such a significant program ( and cost ) is a little ambitious imho. Lack of a PM/PC is the usual culprit, or self builders who are running their own project with no understanding of each trade / associated disciplines. It seems it is more common for this to go wrong vs right. So you identified this and mitigated(?), which is exactly what should happen. Ask questions before, not after!! -
Tiling onto cement board with some flex
Nickfromwales replied to Moggaman's topic in Roofing, Tiling & Slating
The frames have a purpose installed metal rail where the pan tightens back to the wall covering. The idea being all of the compression happens there. The cement board should be against that if the studs have been installed correctly, and there should be, ideally, a small bead of Sikaflex adhesive bonding the cement board to the frame to marry the two together. 12mm cement board is bloody solid stuff, but that is a problem as much as an attribute, as it will hold off from the frame until you tile and fit the pan, and then, due to the high point pressure applied, the tiles will either crack on the day or a few weeks down the line. There should be zero movement, certainly none that a person could detect by physically pressing / pushing the board. Take it off, put a straight edge across the horizontal frame members and the studs at each side and locate the issue before moving on from here. You can install the pan bolts after the bonding has been done and the CB refitted, and use the nuts and washers to put this under compression whilst the adhesive goes off ( 24hrs ). If it moves after that, put the house up for sale. -
Yes, about 10oC higher would prob be ok. Just enough to start running the system and then you can check how the ASHP behaves, duration of heating on / off cycling etc, to decide if it needs tweaking. Most modern sealed cylinders have a fixed stat ‘pocket’, or two, so the location will be defined. Unless you buy an open vented cylinder with foam insulation, which would be quite poor in efficiency vs a sealed and pressurised system. A dumb buffer will not have a T&PRV so go for one of those. If you require cylinders, ( UVC and buffer ), give Trevor ( Cylinders2go.co.Uk ) a shout and mention my username and the forum and he will look after you.
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Sunamp accepting granular power from PV diverter
Nickfromwales replied to willbish's topic in Energy Storage
https://www.sunamp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/D0001-1.2-UniQ-eHW-Heat-Batteries-Installation-and-User-Manual.pdf Page 26 and 32. I found this whilst waiting for my coffee. Took around 45 seconds. Was very laborious and difficult, and involved typing 3 whole words on my phone keypad…….. -
Hi. If you do not tackle ventilation heat loss, you can have a shedload of insulation and it will feel like you have 25% of what you installed. Fabric heat loss is relatively inconsequential, but ventilation heat loss is dire, so to build to a good standard, and then drill holes in the shell for extractor fans, and then fit trickle gents to every window would be barking mad IMO. With the house sealed and an MVHR installed, you can recover ambient heat, instead of pumping it out to the clouds, and reduce your space heating requirements. That then reduces the energy bills forever plus reduces ( scales down ) the heating system. All of these decisions have ‘knock-on’ effects, so you absolutely should approach this with a “fabric first” ethos, or it will be downhill all the way back to a swelling which slightly improved upon our fore UK BRegs. Get a plan as to how you will make the dwelling(s) airtight, eg as one airtight envelope, and reassess from there. If you cannot get under 1-2 ACH ( target 1 or less ) then MVHR is a waste of time anyways ( as natural infiltration will surpass the airflow rates of the MVHR ).
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Best Subfloor for UFH with Suspended Timber Floor?
Nickfromwales replied to hammerandnails's topic in Underfloor Heating
At your own peril. Any decent installer should refuse to lay directly over a deck board. You need the plywood as a binder, and to allow you to stagger the joints so movement in the deck doesn’t transfer to the LVT, which it most definitely will. -
Sunamp accepting granular power from PV diverter
Nickfromwales replied to willbish's topic in Energy Storage
Yup. Doesn’t take much effort to find that info tbh. It’s in every manual. -
Sunamp accepting granular power from PV diverter
Nickfromwales replied to willbish's topic in Energy Storage
The My Energy Eddi was reformatted to work specifically with a SA. The 4 core cable allows L,N &E to be connected from a fused spur eg so it electronica is always ‘alive’. The additional live is for connection to a 20a DP switch which is fed from the Eddi. When there is sufficient depletion of the SA, its internal relay will click shut to allow power in from core #4. The Eddi is then the gate which opens and closes to allow input of those sporadic pickets of solar excess when they are detected by the CT clamp. There is nothing to upgrade, other than your knowledge. Consider yourself now upgraded. -
Best Subfloor for UFH with Suspended Timber Floor?
Nickfromwales replied to hammerandnails's topic in Underfloor Heating
He's 100% right, tile adhesive sticks to plywood like shit sticks to a fluffy blanket. I would NEVER tile, or recommend anyone tiled onto, chipboard. This is where we differ. Hardie backer board has almost zero flex, buy a sheet and see for yourself. Completely unsuitable for a suspended timber floor with known 'possible' deflection where tiles are to be applied, AFAIC. When tiling over ANY substrate that is porous / dry, it is 1st year apprentice practice to dampen or wet the substrate, and, if necessary, also then utilise a recognised and suitable pre-tile primer to key and 'size' the substrate. Your chap mentions this problem, but goes on to say he would use the same adhesive over the plywood subfloor ( under the Hardie ) to bond that down? Yes, the screws..........If that solution relies on the screws, your in a very precarious position. I've never tiled a floor with this method. I've done "more than one" of these in my days as a tiler.....with some budgets as high as £25k for one room. Tile + adhesive would very happily sit on the 4 or 6mm plywood I mentioned earlier. A significant amount more than the equivalent adhesion to the Hardie, as per your chaps own admission Karndean / other LVT would also need the plywood layer over the subfloor deck board. Plus a feathering compound, used to fill the screw-holes and fill the board joints, to give a flawless finish. No free lunches here i'm afraid -
Best Subfloor for UFH with Suspended Timber Floor?
Nickfromwales replied to hammerandnails's topic in Underfloor Heating
It is an odd approach to expect the deck material to correct issues with the substructure tbh. It's normally the substructure which is made robust, and the deck is then installed atop as a non structurally-functional overlay for walking / point loading upon. Been doing these for a long time, ask my back and knees, so sound, practical advice there OK, great. You won't struggle to get heat up through the P5 + Plywood, + tiles, just it will take a lot longer to respond ( but will also stay warm for prob 50% of the initial heat up time after you've turned the heating off again ). Choose a self-learning room thermostat and it will calculate the time required to get the room to temp at the time you want it to be. They usually scrub that info and keep 're-learning' so they make allowances for the changes in season. Poor mans weather compensation if you like. -
ASHP with large thermal store (for load shifting)
Nickfromwales replied to apesort's topic in Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
They're reluctant to discuss anything with anyone on spec's, but some members of the public have PCM 34's and a very select few have PCM 43's. Gagging orders were signed to get the 43's, as they were basically out for R&D only, so there's little to no feedback anywhere on those I expect. Where is that stated? A link would be useful, thanks. I was having a beer with one of their current 'approved installers' recently, and he was saying how much he struggles to get any info / feedback / response from SA regarding the correct specification of a particular unit for a particular circumstance. With the Thermino now being the current working revision of the Suamp Uniq, with many options / models for X,Y & Z, you think this would be under control by now, but it doesn't sound as if they're staffed to deal with anything other than orders and shipping. And that's from someone who started that conversation without provocation from me. I pretty much pre-empted every word that he said, as he was saying it, so little has changed afaic. They've never wanted to deal with questions for individuals, just mass sales for dumb clients who don't know or understand why they've chosen this product, other than a silver-tongued salesman told them many, many wonderous things about them, but not one of them a historian I expect..... A colleague of mine is on his 3rd unit atm, with his new replacement having been delivered after a battle over warranty.
