FAQs

Fitting a DEVI heating mat is simple to do by yourself, should you choose to install it. However, please note that all electrical connections must always be carried out by a qualified electrician.

Step 1
Start by measuring the area where you want your floor heating. This way you can determine the size of DEVI heating mat you need. Always select a heating mat package that is slightly smaller than the floor area.

Step 2
Mark the positioning of the toilet before you remove it. This helps you avoid placing the toilet on top of the mat, and prevents you from piercing it with screws.

Step 3
Cut a 10 mm-wide groove into the floor and wall from the thermostat and about 1 mm out into the floor, for the floor sensor and tube. Glue the tube that houses the floor sensor into the channel and seal the end of the pipe with duct tape.

Step 4
Before laying the self-adhesive mat, your existing floor should be clean, dry, and primed, if necessary. Once the mat has been tested, it can be rolled out and laid on the floor.

Step 5
Roll out the mat. When reaching the end, simply cut the mesh, turn the mat and lay the next strip close to the first one. The red heating cable must NOT be cut. The mat can withstand 3-5 adjustments as long as you do not press the mat to the floor.

Step 6
When you are satisfied with the result, press the mat to the floor. DEVImat™ will now adhere firmly to the surface

Step 7
Cover with one layer of flexible tile adhesive/self-levelling compound, and allow it to dry before tiling or lay the adhesive and tiles in one operation. A flexible adhesive and grout should always be used.

Step 8
Mount the new tiles on the adhesive. Joint the tiles and let the floor dry for two weeks before turning on the heat.

The actual width of the mat is 480 mm, but it is recommended that it be laid at 500 mm intervals to ensure the correct gap between runs is achieved.

The difference between the two is the ‘cold tail’. With the twin conductor, there is no second connection tail to return to the thermostat. With the single conductor there is a cold tail at each end of the cable or mat and they have to be brought back together at the connection point. The twin conductors have a very low Electromagnetic radiation (EMF). Both the single conductors and twin conductor cable and mats are well within recommended EMF standards.

This is the connection at the end of the twin conductor mat where the heating element is connected to the neutral return. This is manufactured within the cable.

No, the electrical heating mat cannot be shortened as this will alter the resistance of the element, which may lead to overheating. It is therefore important that the area to be heated is measured accurately (free floor area only) and that you select the closest smaller area element. Please ask your DEVI Supplier for help. Mesh can be cut, but take care to not cut or damage a cable.

The cold tails/leads have to be brought out of the floor and have to be connected in parallel, e.g., core colors connected together, brown with brown, blue with blue, etc. into a thermostat.

CONTACT YOUR ELECTRICIAN. Fuses can blow or circuit breakers can trip on either short circuit or overload, short circuit being the most common cause.

Most floor finishes are suitable for use with underfloor heating, provided the floor has been prepared correctly and any manufacturer’s temperature guidelines have been followed. With finishes, such as wood laminates and carpets, it is essential that the heating mat is completely covered with a suitable floor leveling compound before the specified finish is applied. Moreover, for flooring, such as laminate, wooden parquet or carpet, we recommend DEVIdry™ solutions as well as the use of a thermostat/regulator with a floor sensor.

The DEVImat is designed to be laid directly onto an existing floor surface, so it does not require insulation. However, if there is room within the floor to add insulation or a tile-backer board, we strongly recommend this as it will enhance performance and reduce operating costs. Please contact DEVI for information.

The mat has an adhesive backing; if the floor is dusty or greasy, it will not stick particularly well. Priming the floor will significantly help the mat to fully adhere to the floor surface.

The underlay that is usually supplied with wood laminate is an acoustic about 2-3mm thick; this is acceptable. If you are installing anything else, please call our technical team at DEVI for advice. For laminate, we recommend DEVIdry solution.

DEVI does not recommend any heating to be installed under such fixtures for a number of reasons. 1. It can inhibit the flow of heat being produced from the system 2. If ever a fault was to occur, it can be very difficult to carry out a repair.

DEVI strongly recommends that each section of floor with a different covering has its own ‘mat’ as well as thermostat since each floor surface has a different maximum temperature limit. We advise to use a thermostat with a floor heating sensor. Contact DEVI to discuss the best options for this floor.

DEVI would recommend that each section of floor has its own ‘mat’ and thermostat. In this case, each mat would have its own floor sensor preventing an uneven temperature between the two floor areas. DSVF-150 would be recommended for the concrete floor and DTIF-100 would be recommended for the timber floor.

Yes, it is possible to install a DevimatT on top of most existing floor surfaces, including concrete, timber, fibre cement sheet and existing tiles using a thin adhesive bed or levelling compound.