Ceiling heat cable repair

[memyselfandI]

I have not dealt with this before so I figured I could come here and pick the brains of all of you. have a house that has radiant ceiling heat in it and the homeowner cut some recess cans into the ceiling and in the process cut the ceiling heat cable too. What is a good way to repair this. Replacing the entire cable is not an option and neither is upgrading the heat system. I know it is an inefficient way to heat but I need to know what to do and or how to repair it. Thanks for all of your time on this question.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I have not dealt with this before so I figured I could come here and pick the brains of all of you. have a house that has radiant ceiling heat in it and the homeowner cut some recess cans into the ceiling and in the process cut the ceiling heat cable too. What is a good way to repair this. Replacing the entire cable is not an option and neither is upgrading the heat system. I know it is an inefficient way to heat but I need to know what to do and or how to repair it. Thanks for all of your time on this question.

I know this wont help but I have always told owners of a house with heat tape that I will not cut a hole in the ceiling. I know there must be a way to butt splice the cable but I would call a manufacturer of the heat type and get their recommendation.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

How many cans did he cut in?

Better yet, how many rooms did he lose heat in?

Like Dennis, I would call a manufacturer to find the proper way to splice it (assuming you can).

I've never seen this installed, is it stapled to the sheetrock and then mudded over?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I've never seen this installed, is it stapled to the sheetrock and then mudded over?

I have never seen it being installed but I believe that is how it is done.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

I have never seen it being installed but I believe that is how it is done.

Then wow, this is going to be a messy repair.

 

[Sierrasparky]

If they cut in recessed lights they probably cut many heat wires.
I'd replace with a baseboard heat and call it done.

 

[PCN]

If they cut in recessed lights they probably cut many heat wires.
I'd replace with a baseboard heat and call it done.

Good point, by the time you open up the ceiling to splice the cable then patch and paint the ceiling you might as well go to baseboard.

I think it can be spliced though, I seem to recall seeing it done 15 years ago and I think it was a butt splice used with cable that matched the existing.

 

[celtic]

This same type question came up last winter...general consensus is they are SOL....although some stated they would "splice" it.

A search may produce that thread.

 

[marcerrin]

There are 2 companies in my area that specialize in repairing that stuff. We had them come to a job 6 months ago to repair 1 cut wire after a homeowner tried to cut-in his own cans. The tech wanted the sheetrock/plaster removed in a 2' radius around the break, and the repair to the wire cost around $ 850.00. That didn't include the wall repair.
It sounds like a good business to get into because I asked the tech if they were staying busy and he said he's always booked out at least two weeks. They also repair the infloor heat in tile.