Anybody ever used cable clips for fastening down UFH. I was just thinking that it'd be handy to use them to stop the bits that float up when you're covering with slc. Does anyone know of any reason why not to use them? I just think it would be a lot easier and cheaper than sticking the floaters down with rapid set.

Can't think of any reason, I always use tape to stick the ends down. Cable clips are quite thick though, wouldn't they need a thicker layer of SLC to cover them?

I was thinking about the small one Bri, even if they stuck up above the ufh a couple of mm, you could still cover them with slc. As I say, it was just an idea I had today

Good idea depending on the substrate but the cable clips would add a few extra mm over the top of the cables wouldnt it ?

Providing they wont melt over time etc I'm sure you'd be fine. I saw some rail thing trailed once but never saw it on the market. The rail was fitted every couple of FT across the whole width of the floor and had hook things you hooked the cable onto at either end of the room and then hooked every couple of FT. You used loose cable for it and the cable still floated between the hook things to be honest.

Its not a bad idea. I suppose it depends if it saved any time or money. Try it out, you can be the guinea pig and report back!!

Ok heres an idea . How about if the insulation mats had smalll grooves in them to push the cable into ???

Originally Posted by Sir Ramic

Ok heres an idea . How about if the insulation mats had smalll grooves in them to push the cable into ???

Isn't there something a bit like this for wet UFH?

Originally Posted by Brian J

Isn't there something a bit like this for wet UFH?

Yup polypipe system and a few others

Originally Posted by Sir Ramic

Yup polypipe system and a few others

So in response to the original question, Yeah! If it works for wet systems it would work for loose wire. Might not be able to do it in 6mm insulation, if the groove is 3mm deep it might make the board too fragile.

couple of sparkies used cable clips to fasten ufh cable down on a job that i tiled.i thought it was a fantastic idea and were poss have used them since

ok another method
self adhesive cable tie clips RS | Cables | Cable Accessories | Cable Tie Fixings | Cable Tie Mounts and mini cable ties RS | Cables | Cable Accessories | Cable Ties | Cable Ties - Nylon

Originally Posted by foggy34

couple of sparkies used cable clips to fasten ufh cable down on a job that i tiled.i thought it was a fantastic idea and were poss have used them since

snap !!!!

If you had grooves in insulation you'd not be dispersing the heat. What you could do with is a cement layer on top of the insulation that's thick enough with a groove in it. Then the heat would disperse through the cement layer but the insulation would still do its job.

I routered grooves in plasterboard once and used that to feed the UFH cable into. Worked but wasn't fun (very messy) and I'm sure the performance could have been better.

Ok try these RS | Cables | Cable Accessories | Cable Fixings | Cable & Wire Mounts

I seen this done on that cowboy builders program the other week, and then they tiled straight over it.

Originally Posted by Dan

If you had grooves in insulation you'd not be dispersing the heat. What you could do with is a cement layer on top of the insulation that's thick enough with a groove in it. Then the heat would disperse through the cement layer but the insulation would still do its job.

I routered grooves in plasterboard once and used that to feed the UFH cable into. Worked but wasn't fun (very messy) and I'm sure the performance could have been better.

Yes thats what i meant. When the boards were made the machine would stamp grooves into on side of the board . But i think the clips ar a better idea. Saw a photo today of someones UFH cable before SLC. There was more tape on the floor than anything else !!!!

A post on here ages ago suggested cable clips etc.. and Uheat said NO.. they can cause pressure on the cable and cause it to hotspot ( burnout)... deffo not recommended they said..

If the clips is over the top of the wire then the slc or addy cant get to it so yes it will cause a hotspot

Originally Posted by Scottley

If the clips is over the top of the wire then the slc or addy cant get to it so yes it will cause a hotspot

Which is why I wondered if the self adhesive pad and cable tie would work....Myself I just use a thick mix of SPF to hold the cable in place.

I wonder if the thin horseshoe ones used by BT would be any good?

Originally Posted by Scottley

I wonder if the thin horseshoe ones used by BT would be any good?

That is what i suggested and Uheat said they will cause a hotspot..

Originally Posted by Scottley

I wonder if the thin horseshoe ones used by BT would be any good?

This is what I use....... It's a large adjustable staple gun for cables. I've been using one for ten years without any problems. I use "Heat mat" mats and they have no problem with this method of fixing as long as the cables not compressed.

Found the said thread for anyone wishing to have a looksie..


Cable tacker

So plastic staples would be ok as long as you had foam insulation boards beneath.

I think it is the crush issue Neale..

Originally Posted by Stewart

This is what I use....... It's a large adjustable staple gun for cables. I've been using one for ten years without any problems. I use "Heat mat" mats and they have no problem with this method of fixing as long as the cables not compressed.

Is that the ones that come in the green box?

just a thought devi heat has a mesh backed system shame you cant buy the self adh mesh in a roll then once cable in possition then cover in the mesh then slc over

or has it been done already

I've quite often found that tape un-sticks and cables start corking when you cover with slc, can't really see why the plastic cable clips would create a hotspot tho' as long as you didn't compress the cable.

yeah see what you mean but it may cause a hot spot