When constructing any form of flooring it is important that the final floor surface rests on something that is perfectly flat, because if it doesn’t the floor will not last very long. This is particularly true in the case of tiled floors as the tiles will crack if they are allowed to move. There are always imperfections in a concrete substrate, which will have dips and bumps in it, so whatever the final choice of flooring, you need to undertake proper floor preparation in Berkshire.
The correct procedure is to use a floor screed which can be laid in a number of ways. Traditionally, a sand and cement screed has been laid and this is trowelled into place by hand in order to make it as flat as possible. However, today, liquid screeds are being used more and more. They have several advantages over sand and cement screeds, not the least of which is the speed of laying.
Liquid screeds can be cement based or gypsum based, but either way they are delivered to site ready mixed and poured into place using a pump. Laying this type of screed can cover 100 square metres in 45 minutes, and up to 2,000 square metres in a day, saving a huge amount in labour costs over a sand and cement screed.
You might think that liquid screeds would take a long time to dry, but in fact they will be ready to walk on in 24 – 48 hours.
The screed can be bonded to the concrete substrate using a primer or it can be unbonded. In the latter case, a damp-proof membrane is laid on top of the concrete substrate before the screed is poured. Liquid screed is also excellent for use with underfloor heating since it makes 100% contact with the heating pipes and therefore ensures maximum transfer of heat.
When using anhydrite gypsum screed, a layer of laitance will form on the surface as the screed dries. Floor preparation in Berkshire needs to take account of this, as it is necessary to remove it by sanding before the final flooring is laid.
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