Flooring Tips

The following are some helpful tips for your installer when preparing and executing a NUHEAT installation.  Note that this is not an installation guide, for a complete installation guide click here.

Preparing for Installation

Receiving Accurate Mat Sizing – Always base your selection of heating mat sizes on the actual room dimensions measured at the job site.  Architectural drawings do not reflect changes that take place at the project location.  For custom sizing and mat shapes, give your accurately measured floor plan to us to send in to NUHEAT.  

Using the Right Tools – A successful NUHEAT installation requires the following tools:

• Acrylic or latex modified thinset
• Duct tape
• ¼ inch square notched trowel
• Small plastic bristled brush
• Margin Trowel
• Grouting float
• Digital multimeter
• Sponge
• Bucket of water

Testing the mats – Each NUHEAT mat must be tested using a multi-meter before, during and after the installation to ensure no damage.  The warranty is subject to these tests being completed and recorded.  Review the installation guide for details on how to test the radiant electric heating mats.  Click here to download the complete installation guide. 

Checking in with NUHEAT – Ensure that you understand all the installation details of the tile heating system before beginning your project – call 1-800-778-9276 to go over the details with a NUHEAT technical expert.  The warranty is subject to all first-time installers calling NUHEAT prior to installation.

Confirming that your Mats fit the Room – Before installing your NUHEAT mats, lay them out in the room first to ensure that they cover your floor properly.

Installing NUHEAT Successfully

Installing NUHEAT is easy – here are a few quick tips:

Working with Thinset Consistency – Make your thinset consistency thinner than normal for the layer between your mat and subfloor to allow for easy bonding.

Cleaning Grout Lines – Use a plastic bristled brush or  sponge to clean away any excess thinset that seeps through the space between the tiles while it is wet.  If you wait, the thinset will become hard and difficult to remove.  Cleaning grout lines with sharp objects such as utility knives or margin trowels can result in damage to the NUHEAT mats which is not covered by the warranty.

Back Buttering Tiles – To ensure a successful bond between your tile and subfloor, back butter your tiles with thinset before laying them in the thinset layer placed over the NUHEAT mats.

Allowing Thinset to Cure – Ensure that the radiant heating system is not turned on until the thinset and grout have cured according to the recommended time on the packaging.  This will ensure that the adhesive bond is not compromised.

Replacing Tile – See the complete installation guide for instruction on removing and replacing tile over the NUHEAT system.  Click here for a complete installation guide.  (Note – a PDF will require 2-5 minutes to download)