How to locate ceiling heat elements?

Hello,

I have the need to drill a number of holes in a residential ceiling with ceiling heat (house built in early 70's in Oregon).

As I obviously do not want to drill into any of the elements, I need to know a method for locating the elements.

Thanks for any help with this,

Jon

Reply to
Jon Danniken
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There are inexpensive stud finders that will locate metallic objects.

Reply to
Raymond J. Johnson Jr.

or use a laser pointer heat gun, turn heat on, find and mark hot areas.

cooler areas will be safe

Reply to
hallerb

I think that your best bet is thermo imaging. There are a number of methods and devices to do this and some are pricey. I don't know if rental is an option. There are companies that do this and can provide photographs.

Reply to
John Grabowski

On Aug 11, 7:22=EF=BF=BDam, "John Grabowski" wrot= e:

harbor freight has a 20 buck laser pointer thermoter. cant get much cheaper than that.

it shows exact hot spots.

Reply to
hallerb

Turn on the heat, then use a spray bottle with water to mist the area you want to check. it will dry quickest by the elements.

Reply to
m j d

What about one of the little proximity testers for electricity? Turn the thing on and see if you get a pitch change near the wire.

Reply to
Chris Hill

Nobody else asked, so I will- what do you need to drill all the holes for? You know you can't hang anything large from the ceiling, or you will get a cold spot underneath it? (I know, not supposed to happen, but I hung out a lot in a house that had ceiling heat, and it was noticeably cooler under the dining table.)

-- aem sends...

Reply to
aemeijers

I use that technique when locating radiant heating elements in tile floors. Works well.

R
Reply to
RicodJour

replying to aemeijers, luna wrote: I'm hanging a canopy curtain around our bed and need I have the same issue. Fortunately I just bought Mr. A laser thermometer for Xmas and that is a genius idea. Also have a hanging light I want to install. Neither of these things will effect the heat underneath. I'm glad I ran into this thread. I was bout to use command hooks, but I'd have to scrape the gross texture off the ceiling fist.

Reply to
luna

Did you have any luck with the laser thermometer?? I tried that with my husbands but didn't seem to be accurate enough.

Reply to
Elle

replying to luna, Steph Moss wrote: Hey! I was googling to find some answers for my issue and stumbled upon this. I too have textured ceilings with radiant heat coils in the ceiling. I also want to hang divider curtains between our bed and baby’s bed but need help. Can you let me know how your project turned out?

Reply to
Steph Moss

Will the curtain be soundproof?

Reply to
Sally Albright

replying to Steph Moss, Rick Smith wrote: Best way I have found and have not had any problems on several jobs is to use a quality inductive chirping electrical tester.. First go in attic and find a connector wire with the thermostat a full high on panel and verify you get a chirp there, then just simply go over the surface with the tester and find the wire tracings.. Finally verify you have to positive chirping in area you want to drill in and go for it.. You won t have any issues that way/ Just take your time and verify it a few times just to be sure.

Reply to
Rick Smith

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