I am in the process of getting our basement developed and have a question with regards to roughing in for a bathroom. We have a heated floor and wish to put our bathroom in a different location than what was originally roughed in for. We have had a couple of plumbers advise us against doing this as we may damage the in floor heating lines as we break the concrete. Our builder told us that the heating line is continuous and that it would not be a good idea to have any joints in that line if we were to break it. We have heard that a home inspector could come in with a thermal heating device to get a better idea as to where the lines are. Is this accurate? Should we just stay with the original location of the proposed bathroom? Thanks

Greetings,

Yes, a home inspector with a thermal imaging camera can see the heat pipes through the concrete floor.

But, both your plumber and contractor are correct. You do not want a joint in the heating pipe that is buried in the floor. The joints used by PEX (the most common brand of in floor radiant heat) are very strong and durable and don't fail. Usually. But, if buried in concrete, you can pretty much guarantee that they will fail at some point.

Stay as far away as possible from the heating runs. Use a wet saw to cut the concrete before you jack hammer the rest away. (Vibration is not a good thing).

I would listen to the plumbers/contractor and stay with the original placement of the bathroom, but, it is your house.

Good luck, Dan

" We have heard that a home inspector could come in with a thermal heating device to get a better idea as to where the lines are. Is this accurate? Should we just stay with the original location of the proposed bathroom?"

Dan is bang on with his answer. Listen to him and your plumber. Even if the inspector could show you where the heating lines are you would tear them up when you jackhammered up the floor for the rough in.
However you are left with options. Heated floor or bathroom in a new location? One or the other because you for sure can't have both. Regards, Tom