running 110v under ceramic tile floor?

[miketyler]

We just moved in to our new place and the kitchen is large enough where we'd like to put an island in the middle of it. Additionally, I have a glass front built-in fridge I want to install in it so I'd like to have 110v in it.

The problem is the entire kitchen has been tiled and is on slab foundation. I had an idea to clear one or two of the grout runs and run wire in the tile gaps and then re-grout over it. I am trying to avoid busting up tile and running conduit. Maybe they have stiff conductor rods with terminal ends? Does this sort of solution exist or ?

[Vertnut]

I'd be more comfortable sawing a line in the slab, then replacing the tile. I don't think the grout would be enough to hide it/contain it for long. I have a friend that did the same with a water line. He trenched the slab and ran a copper line to his island.

[HECDOGGIE]

Take up one row of tile, dig a trench and re fill with quickcrete..

I am sure there is left over tile from the previous job, I always leave leftover tile!

[miketyler]

yeah, I know its an "unconventional" idea. Actually once the grout lines were cleared I could score a slightly deeper groove in the foundation so I could still maintain the nominal grout thickness and have less chance of cracking.

I dont stand a chance of matching the tile, but could probably match the grout. I will look around but the only thing I have found so far is some of the laminate flooring leftovers and a big ass stack of bricks that match the veneer of the house and the shop.

[Turbo8]

what prevents you from going overhead?

[STANGGT40]

what prevents you from going overhead?

what...leave the wire dangling from the ceiling? lol

as others have said, just take up a row of tiles, score and break out the concrete, run the conduit/wire to the island, pour back with quickcrete, then put the tile back...easy job.

brad

[miketyler]

Probably could, but the only way I could think of was putting in a large overhead vent-a-hood or hanging pot rack. Neither of those appealed to us

[HECDOGGIE]

yeah, I know its an "unconventional" idea. Actually once the grout lines were cleared I could score a slightly deeper groove in the foundation so I could still maintain the nominal grout thickness and have less chance of cracking.

I dont stand a chance of matching the tile, but could probably match the grout. I will look around but the only thing I have found so far is some of the laminate flooring leftovers and a big ass stack of bricks that match the veneer of the house and the shop.


The grout will be hard to match. . Check in your attic or in your water heater closet,Thats where we leave tile!

[miketyler]

The grout will be hard to match.

Yup and the tile will be even harder to match if I can't find some leftovers somewhere. I still think I can pull off the electrical run beneath the grout, especially if I cut the trench say, 5/16"-1/2" below the surface of the slab.

Hector - have you put in heated floors? Isn't it similar where you are laying tile over a grid of heated wires? I cant see any issues with the grout over the wires if the groove is deep enough.

[HECDOGGIE]

Yup and the tile will be even harder to match if I can't find some leftovers somewhere. I still think I can pull off the electrical run beneath the grout, especially if I cut the trench say, 5/16"-1/2" below the surface of the slab.

Hector - have you put in heated floors? Isn't it similar where you are laying tile over a grid of heated wires? I cant see any issues with the grout over the wires if the groove is deep enough.



You may be able to get away doing it that way. Just be careful not to break a tile while taking out the grout..Check for tile in the areas i told you about, you may find tile there and it will make your job easier,

[rodtoo40]

just remove the title and do it right, in pipe if the wire gets one little nick in it and you barefooted can we say dead

[miketyler]

just remove the title and do it right

Yeah, I'm with ya. If I have spare tiles that wouldn't be a problem. :rolleyes:

In the event that I cant find any spares, (and I don't think I will, gotta look) I figure I could double sheath them in heat shrink as well.

[HECDOGGIE]

Yeah, I'm with ya. If I have spare tiles that wouldn't be a problem. :rolleyes:

In the event that I cant find any spares, (and I don't think I will, gotta look) I figure I could double sheath them in heat shrink as well.
Mike, post a pic of the tile, doing a deco trim may work..

[Yellowstang]

Man, I see a new thread or a news story in a few years.

Man electrocutes himself removing kithcen floor tile. :eek:

[doopie]

We did this in my parents house. I took a pattern of tiles and replaced it with a contrasting tile in a basket weave pattern with a 4X4 pattern which allowed us to remove the tile and then replace with a contrasting. Theirs was easier she had neutral tile to match but you may not have that option.

I wouldnt reccomend the grout line trick. The grout has chemicals that over time will eat away the coating on the wire and could potentially electrocute the wife while she is mopping.

Raymond

[JimD]

Man, I see a new thread or a news story in a few years.

Man electrocutes himself removing kithcen floor tile. :eek:
LOL, Yup!

[Boosted20v]

did this same sort of thing in my place and its worth it to carefully take up a row and trench the slab its not that difficult

[fordracing19]

Maybe do wireless?

[TRAXX]

Maybe do wireless?

LOL. Best idea so far!

[miketyler]

I dont think they have figured out how to transmit 110V wirelessly yet LOL.

Deco tile might be do-able. I could see dotting in the floor an accent tile or cutting a 2-3" strip across the room and putting down some deco or picture tile.

I'll post up some pics when I find my camera. We're still in the process of moving. Maybe you know where I can find a close match? I really want to keep this simple. The run of conduit or liquid-tight I am looking for is only about 4ft from the corner of the island to a spot beside the dishwasher.

MRT

[fitzwell]

The grout has chemicals that over time will eat away the coating on the wire and could potentially electrocute the wife while she is mopping.

Raymond

duly noted :D

[miketyler]

I found my camera so I will get a pic of this soon. I couldn't find any left over tile in the attic so I might consider the trim deco tile or something close. The area would be between the dishwasher and the island, I estimate to be ~3-4ft. If I can get something close, it might not be that noticeable.

[lee earley]

Build the island, run the electrical from the ceiling down to the island. Then biuld a nice pillar to hide the electrical. Then maybe put a small flatscreen tv in the pillar also.

[jimithing]

check out this forum

http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/index.php

i'm sure they can help you come up with something.

[02gtpony]

i definitely wouldn't recommend putting it in between the grout lines, and grouting over it, i would honestly have to look at it to give any suggestions, but the deco tile sounds pretty legit. you could also add some kind of decorative column somehow and run the wire though the center of that, not sure exactly your plan for the island but that is just a suggestion, i'd have to see pictures

[livinglegend_86]

If you can't find a matching tile, or you don't want a deco / contrasting tile line leading to the island, you can always buy a power pole.

http://www.wiremold.com/datacom/vertical/telepower.asp

I'm sure the island will have some sort of access hole / handhole where you can install a 1/2" liquidtite whip from the power pole to a handy-box with a GFCI duplex receptacle. The good thing is you can have a couple duplex receptacles on the power pole for counter-top appliances and a TV / DATA outlet on it for a phone, undercounter tv, etc. ;)

[doopie]

If you can't find a matching tile, or you don't want a deco / contrasting tile line leading to the island, you can always buy a power pole.

http://www.wiremold.com/datacom/vertical/telepower.asp

I'm sure the island will have some sort of access hole / handhole where you can install a 1/2" liquidtite whip from the power pole to a handy-box with a GFCI duplex receptacle. The good thing is you can have a couple duplex receptacles on the power pole for counter-top appliances and a TV / DATA outlet on it for a phone, undercounter tv, etc. ;)


Stripper pole in the kitchen.....She can cook and strip the best of both worlds.

[miketyler]

Stripper pole in the kitchen? Now THAT has some possibilities.

Seriously though, my idea for the island and the space in general was keeping all the overhead space uncluttered and object free. I wanted free access all around it.

I intend taking up the tile but haven't been able to stay focused on it. Too many other things going on with getting my old home on the market and getting critical spaces setup in my new home.


This is a slightly larger version of what I had in mind, 360 degree access sans the sink.

http://www.kmc.net/components/com_expose/expose/img/alb_8/img_1178117585_312_lg.jpg

[livinglegend_86]

^ Nice looking island. You're best bet will be running underfloor in some pvc conduit, 1/2" should be adequate for the 3 # 12/10 you'll be running thru there. Do yourself a favor and buy the pre-fab 90 degree elbows for a buck or two, instead of heating up the pvc and trying to bend them yourself... it's not worth the hassle of saving a dollar. ;)

Let us know how it turns out! :)

[miketyler]

Am now considering yanking a floor cabinet and working the fridge in there. Doing that gives me 100% storage in the island and eliminates my power issues.

[slowimport96]

Man, I see a new thread or a news story in a few years.

Man electrocutes himself removing kithcen floor tile. :eek:


Not an expert with electricity but isnt it amps that kill? 110 doesnt pull enough.. well at least I dont think.. Either way I would bury the wire and do it right.

[02gtpony]

amps are what kill people, 110v will just make your arm tingle,

[darkside stang]

hey sometimes if ur really careful u can get tiles up without breaking them.....just have to get at it good with a grout saw and clear the grout from all four sides to get under it. i would say to probably start at a tile thats next to the wall or cabinet. also there is no chemical inside the grout that will eat away at plastic....alot of expensive deco's we use r plastic and r painted to look like metals. i have also installed heated floors and they come in thin sheets of plastic with metal inside. dude im sending u a pm

[miketyler]

Am still mulling this over. Wonder what it would cost to have the slab bored about 4ft?

check out this forum

http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/index.php

i'm sure they can help you come up with something.

That is an excellent forum for professional tile and stone advice. I joined it, thanks for posting that Jimi !

[miketyler]

Am still mulling this over. Wonder what it would cost to have the slab bored about 4ft?

One other idea, what about running liquid-tite beneath the slab? Would bore a hole thru the slab at each end and tunnel thru and run liquid-tite flex conduit. Would use separate ground with the conductors.

Anyone know what the current code restrictions are on a scenario like this?