I'm planning to renovate my basement to add a kitchen with an island, but I want to keep the new floor level the same. The challenge is that there are radiant heating lines in the concrete. I have some decent photos of where the lines are, and I can see a potential path to cut through the concrete parallel to the lines to connect to the septic drain, which is also in the floor. I'm considering a 10–15 foot run to reach the drain but I'm worried about damaging the radiant heat lines. My idea is to use hydrochloric acid to help find the lines more accurately and then carefully cut between them to cleanly reach the drain. Am I being unrealistic about this?
2 Answers
Honestly, it sounds risky to try cutting through that concrete without hitting those heat lines. If it's feasible, maybe consider placing the sink against a wall and running the plumbing inside the wall instead. This way, you can avoid cutting the concrete altogether and minimize the risks.
You might want to invest in a thermal camera to accurately map out where those heating lines are before you cut anything. It's crucial to really know where they are to avoid damaging them. Measure out where you believe they are, mark it with tape, and then use the thermal camera to verify. Once you've got a solid idea, you can carefully dig to find the tubes for certain. It's definitely a tricky job, so being precise is key!
Absolutely agree! Getting a good plan beforehand can save you a lot of trouble later. And being methodical about digging will definitely help ensure you don’t hit any lines!