Every homeowner dreams of having a heated floor. The comfort that comes with such a setup is unrivaled. If you have finally decided to install a heated floor, you’ll need three main items; a Ditra mat, a thermostat, and a heating cable.
The former two items are pretty straightforward. However, when it comes to the Ditra heat cable, you need to order the correct size. Otherwise, you will be left with too much cable and insufficient room to lay it down.
After installation, if you have discovered that your Ditra heat cable is too long, below, I’ll be sharing some expert tips on how to resolve this problem. I’ll also be discussing some of the prevention measures you can take to avoid this problem.
What To Do If a Ditra Heat Cable Is Too Long?
Schluter recommends that you leave about five or six inches of space away from the walls when installing the Ditra heat cable. That’s because no one steps in that area.
In case you discover that the cable is too long, you can install the extra along that area. That space that Schluter recommends acts as a buffer zone that can accommodate more Ditra heat cables whenever necessary.
Also, if the Dutra heat cable is too long, you can look for new floor areas to heat up. Good examples include behind the toilet, corridors, and any other area where you hadn’t planned to install heated flooring.
What I’m trying to say is that if you are left with more Ditra heat cables, you should consider heating extra floor areas.
One of the perks of a Ditra heat cable is that it’s easy to pull out after installation. Therefore, you can easily rearrange its setup so that it can fit perfectly in your desired space.
I have also noticed that making more extra turns will use up more cable. That could help shorten the excess.
Can You Cut a Ditra Heat Cable If It’s Too Long?
You should NEVER cut a Ditra heat cable. As I was listing some of the solutions for a Ditra heat cable that is too long, you will notice that I never mentioned anywhere that you should cut it to shorten it.
Schluter is very strict about the cutting of their Ditra heat cable. Doing so doesn’t only void their warranty but it makes the cable ineffective.
When you cut the Ditra heat cable, it changes the resistance in the wire. That leads to issues such as overheating or permanent damage.
If you find out that your Ditra heat cable is too long, cutting it should be the last thing on your mind. Please explore the solutions I have shared with you above.
Can You Install a Ditra Heat Cable Under Fixtures or Cabinets If It’s Too Long?
The thought of stuffing up the excess Ditra heat cable under cabinets, vanities, or other fixtures like bathtubs can be tempting. But you should also refrain from doing that.
When Ditra heat cables are installed under confined spaces with no air space, they will likely overheat and get damaged.
If you have excess Ditra heat cables, run them through open floor spaces like behind the toilet or the gap that was left next to the walls. But under fixtures or cabinetry, that’s a big no!
Calculating How Much Ditra Cable You’ll Need is Extremely Crucial in Avoiding This Problem
I get it. Being left with a Ditra heat cable that is too long after installation is annoying. That’s because you can’t cut it or stuff it beneath fixtures.
However, this is a problem that could have been easily avoided by proper planning and calculation. Here are a few tips that will help you order the right amount of Ditra heat cable;
• Always measure and calculate in square feet the area you intend to install a Ditra heat cable. With that measurement, head over to Schluter’s catalog and confirm which cable is close to the square feet you’ve just calculated. This ensures you get a Ditra heat cable that perfectly fits the area you intend to install it.
• If the above seems like a lot of work, you can make use of Schluter’s calculator. This estimator was created by Schluter to help contractors and DIY enthusiasts figure out how much cable they will need to heat their floors. It eliminates any guesswork and if you use it, you’ll never have to deal with cables that are too long.
• When calculating how much Ditra heat cable you’ll need, always remove the space occupied by cabinets, vanities, or any fixtures.
• When choosing the size of the Ditra heat cable, prioritize the size of the area that you want to be heated. And not the size of the area that will be tiled. If you use the size of the latter, you will end up with more cable.
• Always factor in a buffer zone. This is the 5-or-6-inch gap from the wall that I was talking about. It will give you additional wiggle room in case the cable is too long. Also, don’t worry about warmth distribution. Rarely do people step that close to the wall.
Is It Better to Buy a Ditra Heat Cable That’s Too Short Than Too Long?
Absolutely. You’re better off with a shorter Ditra heat cable than a longer one. What most people don’t understand is that heat does radiate away from the cable.
Therefore, if you follow the recommended installation method, your floor will be evenly heated up. This is better than having a longer cable with nowhere to install it.
Can You Return a Ditra Heat Cable That’s Too Long?
In case you find out that your Ditra heat cable is too long, you can return it for a refund or get a much shorter replacement.
Please keep in mind that returns can only be facilitated if the cable is in its original condition. Therefore, if it has been cut or damaged, the return policy won’t be favorable to you.
Also, Schluter only accepts returns within thirty days of receipt. You may not qualify for a return if it’s past this period.
Other Ditra Heat Cable Problems
Apart from Ditra heat cables being too long, there are other problems associated with this product.
Familiarizing yourself with these issues is crucial in ensuring the proper installation of your heated floor. Other common issues you may run into include;
• Insufficient spacing – Schluter recommends that the Ditra heat cable be installed at a spacing of three studs. You can also use intervals of 2 studs.
However, if you place the cable too close or too far apart, you may end up with uneven heat distribution. Always attempt to the best of your ability to follow the spacing recommendations provided by Schluter.
• Thermostat Problems – Even though the thermostat is different from the Ditra heat cable, both rely on each other to heat your floor. If the thermostat is malfunctioning, it will affect the cable’s effectiveness. In case you notice that the floor isn’t heating up, confirm if the thermostat is working correctly.
• Incompatibility with Different Floors – The Ditra heat cable was designed to work with tile and stone. If you use it with a floor that’s not approved by Schluter, you can expect some incompatibility issues.
• Poor Installation – During installation, the cable can be damaged. To avoid this, always follow the proper installation method. If you are unsure of how to install a Ditra heat cable, don’t hesitate to seek expert help.