How Do You Achieve Great Results With Floor Screed?
20 June 2023
Do you have a flow screed pump? Are you using it to its full potential? Today, we dive into how you achieve great results with floor screed. Read on to find out more...
How Do You Achieve Great Results With Floor Screed?
Go With The Flow
Liquid flow/pumpable/self-levelling/self-smoothing screed; whatever you call it, this relatively new screeding process is becoming increasingly popular across the UK.
Liquid floor screed is applied over the existing substrate to create a supremely smooth, level, flat surface. Since it is liquid, it finds its own level so is perfectly even and flows beautifully around heating elements to encase underfloor heating.
Advantages Of Flow Screed
Builders are quickly noticing the advantages of using liquid flow screed.
- It's fast - it takes around 20 minutes to lay 25m²
- Saves you money - in labour and time
- Save on materials - it lays as thin as 35mm (materials can vary)
- Works alongside underfloor heating - allows easy heat transfer
- It's VERY level - no amount of experience can match the science of liquid leveling
Less susceptible to shrinking - needs fewer expansion joints. Any large tiles laid on it will be less prone to cracking.
Size Really Does Matter
It is essential to get measurements correct. If you’re a little slap-dash with the room measurements, you may find that you end up with too little screed. This would be problematic since even if you were fortunate enough to get hold of more, your first batch may have already gone off. Three important things to mention are:
- The accuracy of the mix ratio for floor screeding is crucial.
- Mixing batches is not advised as it can lead to irregularities.
- Ordering too much can be a pain and a waste of money.
You’ll have to dispose of it and a solidified wedge of screed is not going to be the easiest thing to get rid of. We recommend having a ‘HIPPOBAG’ to hand so you can collect any leftover screed and dispose of the excess screed in your hose etc. These bags are ideal as they allow water to drain through and will just collect the screed.
Prep To Perfection
Preparation is key in so many building processes and laying flow screed is no exception.
Always aim to start with a clean and tidy blank canvas; so, grab that broom and remove the dust and debris.
Priming the existing substrate will eliminate the suction which would mean the screed dries too quickly. An SBR primer will do the job but if grease is present use a liquid DPM.
It is crucial to lay a watertight membrane since the flow screed will just spread to the shape of the room it is pumped into. A polyethylene sheet of 1000 gauge or thicker will do the trick. Make sure the polyethylene curls up at the edges and is stuck to the wall, keep corner folds neat and tape any joins.
Read More About Preparation Here
Ready, Steady, Flow
Now it's time to pour! As with many materials it, is vital to work in the correct temperatures, over 5° and below 30° is advised. Working in extreme temperatures alters the drying time; drying too quickly can reduce the strength of the screed.
Don’t forget those safety wellington boots since you’ll be wading through the screed as you pour. The liquid screed will be the consistency of cream so watertight boots are an absolute must.
Once the screed is laid, it must be left to dry following the rule of one day for every mm up to 40mm and 2 days for depths over 40mm. However, the screed will be dry enough to walk on after 24-48 hours.
Our Most Popular Screed Pumps
Euromair X-PRO D200 - Buy Now
Euromair X-PRO D140 Liquid - Buy Now
Euromair X-PRO E100 - Buy Now
If you'd like to make an enquiry or ask any questions, you can click here, or call us on 01494 715472.