Missing or torn edge insulation strips
The screed must be able to expand. If the edge strip is missing, the surface cracks and transmits sound directly into the walls.
Underfloor heating laid: last check before the screed is poured
The heating pipes will be permanently covered by the screed. Check and photograph pipe routing, edge insulation strips and critical transitions now. Undetected damage later causes cold areas, leaks or complex repairs.
The most common expensive defects in underfloor heating
Crushed pipes in doorways
A crushed heating pipe permanently reduces the flow. The room behind it will never get properly warm.
Missing protective sleeves at expansion joints
Where heating loops cross a joint, they need a protective sleeve. Otherwise, the movement of the screed rubs the pipe open.
Wrong or uneven pipe spacing
Spacing that is too wide leads to cold strips in the floor; too narrow leads to unnecessary material use and control problems.
No pressure test during pouring
The pipes must be under pressure during the pouring. Only then is damage noticed immediately – otherwise the leak is only searched for in the finished floor.
What you should document and check now on the underfloor heating
Photograph room overview
Photograph every room in its entirety. This documents the spacing of the heating loops for later checks.
Photograph doorways and crossings
Take close-ups of pipes at doors and crossing points. Make sure that pipes are not crushed and protective sleeves are in place at joints.
Photograph transitions to walls
Walk through every room and record whether the edge insulation strip is sitting continuously all around.
Capture manifold and pressure gauge
Photograph the open manifold cabinet including labelling. Make sure that the pressure gauge is clearly legible.
Be sure instead of hoping
Upload your photos and have edge strips, pipe routing and manifold checked for visible abnormalities before the screed comes.