© Watts Radiant 2003 Staple Gun Usage Guidelines LIT#STAPGD0103 Effective: 01/01/2003
USING THE PEX STAPLE GUN
The PEX staple gun is a Senco staple gun, specially
modified by Watts Radiant both internally and externally for
use with Watts Radiant’s RadiantPEX and WaterPEX. This
staple gun is fitted with a stainless steel guide plate that is
attached to front of the gun. It is designed for 3/8" and
1/2" PEX, part #P668522.
PEX Staple Intervals:
The PEX staple gun should only
be used for thin-slab applications and not “staple-up” or
“sandwich” applications. For thin-slab applications, staples
should be placed every 12" to 15" along the length of the
tubing. Stapling the PEX at wider intervals can result in the
tubing being too close to the surface of the thin slab. (Watts
Radiant recommends a minimum 3/4" between the top of
the tubing and the surface of the concrete.)
PEX CAUTIONS:
1.
Examine each circuit after it has been stapled in
place. The PEX staple gun is designed to leave a 1/8" gap
between the top of the tubing and the staple. This is to make
sure that the tubing is not fractured by the impact of the sta-
ple and to assure that no abrasion is possible between the
staple and the tubing. If the staple is closer than 1/16" of
the tubing, then it should be removed and replaced with a
new staple. Please see the illustration for tolerances.
2.
As with any floor heating application, do not install
PEX over floors with asphalt paper “slip joint” in the flooring,
as an unpleasant odor may result. Rosin paper (pink colored)
is generally acceptable.
Note:
For best performance, pneumatic oil (5-weight,
nondetergent machine oil) should be installed once daily
into the air inlet of the staple gun.
USING THE ONIX STAPLE GUN
The Onix staple gun is a Senco staple gun, specially
modified by Watts Radiant both internally and externally. The
Onix staple gun is fitted with a stainless steel guide plate
that is attached to the front of the gun. When stapling 3/8"
Onix, make sure that the gun is fitted with a 3/8" Onix guide
plate (#668521); when stapling 1/2" Onix, make sure that
the gun is fitted with a 1/2" Onix guide plate (#668522).
When stapling Onix, position the guide plate over the Onix
while simultaneously pushing it down far enough to engage
the safety on the tool. When you feel the guide plate hit the
plywood, and you can see that the safety is engaged, pull the
trigger and fire the staple. Before pulling the trigger, make
sure that the tail end of the tool is also centered over the
Onix. If the tail of the tool is not centered, some of the
staples may puncture the Onix.
Onix Staple Intervals: You must use one staple every
6" when the Onix is installed under a wood frame floor. This
ensures good thermal contact between the Onix and the
floor, which is essential for the Onix to deliver its specified
heat output. Spacing the staples too far apart can cause as
much as a 20% loss of peak heat output. For initial Onix
placement, or where there is insufficient clearance for the
gun to be used, we suggest the use of Watts Radiant
NailTites to hold the Onix in place. Although not essential, it
can be very helpful for an assistant to hold the Onix in place
while the installer is stapling. This assistant must wear all
appropriate safety equipment. When stapling Onix on top of a
floor, in preparation for installing an elevated thin slab, you
may increase the staple intervals to 12" or 18". Always
maintain the Onix spacing as indicated on the plans or in
associated design information.
ONIX CAUTIONS
1.
Examine each Onix circuit after it has been stapled in
place. If you see that the Onix has been partially compressed
by a staple, you must remove that staple and put in a new
one. The staple can acceptably deform the Onix slightly,
1/16" or less, without causing any difficulties. See the illus-
tration for deformation tolerances when stapling hose.
2.
Do not install Onix under floors containing an asphalt
paper “slip joint” between the subfloor and finish floor, as an
unpleasant smell may result. Rosin paper (pink colored) is
generally acceptable.
Note: For best performance, 3 or 4 drops of pneumatic
oil (5-weight, nondetergent machine oil) should be installed
once daily into the air inlet of the staple gun. (More oil drops
may be used if the gun sees continuous heavy service, i.e.,
more than 3–4 hours at a time.)
Acceptable
Deformation Unacceptable
Deformation
1/8"gap;
correct
spacing
incorrect
spacing —
tight
Unacceptable
Acceptable
3131 W. Chestnut Expwy.
Springfield, MO 65802
417-864-6108
Fax: 417-864-8161
USA and Canada: 800-276-2419
Web: www.wattsradiant.com
