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DragonyxXL14 Sep 2017 11:18We had our cement screed installed on June 6th and 7th. The screed then cured for three weeks with ventilation occurring 1 to 3 times per day. This was followed by a three-week heating program with varying temperatures. After that, the heating continued for another week at a moderate temperature. By mid-August, the living room (which receives intense sunlight from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) was ready for flooring installation. The other rooms (bedroom, children's rooms, etc., all with less sun exposure) were still too damp. Therefore, heating was intensified for another two weeks along with ventilation 3 to 4 times daily. The weather was not very helpful during this time, being very humid yet fairly warm at 20-26°C (68-79°F) most of the time.
By now, the screed has been curing for over three months, or 14 weeks, and the floor installer has measured moisture levels between 2.0 and 2.4 CM (centimeters) across the rooms. As I understand it, we aim to reach below 1.8 CM. Actually, moisture readings below 2.0 CM were recorded about two weeks ago, but today’s measurements were above that level again.
We moved in last weekend and would obviously like to complete the rooms and start using them.
What can we do to achieve readiness for flooring installation?
By now, the screed has been curing for over three months, or 14 weeks, and the floor installer has measured moisture levels between 2.0 and 2.4 CM (centimeters) across the rooms. As I understand it, we aim to reach below 1.8 CM. Actually, moisture readings below 2.0 CM were recorded about two weeks ago, but today’s measurements were above that level again.
We moved in last weekend and would obviously like to complete the rooms and start using them.
What can we do to achieve readiness for flooring installation?
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DragonyxXL15 Sep 2017 10:52andimann schrieb:
Hello,
why haven't you set up any dehumidifiers? Just ventilating, especially in summer, makes it difficult to get moisture out of the house.
Rent or buy 2-3 dehumidifiers and get started.
Best regards,
Andreas No one had recommended that so far, and until now we assumed it wouldn’t be necessary anymore (until the humidity levels stopped decreasing or started rising again). My initial research showed €40 per rental day each. That means about €550 for two units for a week. That’s really expensive.
But those machines can handle quite large amounts of moisture, right?
Hello questioner.
As a rule, I do not trust any CM (calcium carbide) moisture measurement unless I have performed it myself. A standard cement screed without additives, at a thickness of 45mm (1.8 inches) and under current (external) climate conditions, will reach its readiness for covering within about 6 weeks, provided it has been well and regularly ventilated during this time.
However, with screeds that contain additives, it is possible that the screed can be considered dry (and thus ready for covering) even if the CM residual moisture value is above 2.0%. The definitive answer to this can be given by the screed installer who applied the screed and possibly used an additive.
Please avoid using drying equipment on a young screed! The disadvantages that often result from such devices are considerable.
It is better to set up several fans to ensure good air circulation and keep the windows in the rooms slightly open (tilted) in the meantime.
You can check yourself whether the screed still contains too much residual moisture.
In two rooms, tape the edges of a thicker PE (polyethylene) foil over an area of 50cm x 50cm (20 inches x 20 inches) on the screed surface using fabric adhesive tape.
Place a commercially available hygrometer, one that truly deserves the name, under the foil beforehand.
Now open the windows for ventilation and check after about 24 hours to see if condensation has formed under the foil. If so, the residual moisture is indeed still too high.
If no condensation appears, check the hygrometer scale. If the value is clearly below 70%, the screed is very likely dry enough for the installation of textile floor coverings.
For elastic coverings and parquet, the value should not exceed 65%.
Critics may now speak up, but this method can really provide a very good estimate!
---------------------
Regards, KlaRa
As a rule, I do not trust any CM (calcium carbide) moisture measurement unless I have performed it myself. A standard cement screed without additives, at a thickness of 45mm (1.8 inches) and under current (external) climate conditions, will reach its readiness for covering within about 6 weeks, provided it has been well and regularly ventilated during this time.
However, with screeds that contain additives, it is possible that the screed can be considered dry (and thus ready for covering) even if the CM residual moisture value is above 2.0%. The definitive answer to this can be given by the screed installer who applied the screed and possibly used an additive.
Please avoid using drying equipment on a young screed! The disadvantages that often result from such devices are considerable.
It is better to set up several fans to ensure good air circulation and keep the windows in the rooms slightly open (tilted) in the meantime.
You can check yourself whether the screed still contains too much residual moisture.
In two rooms, tape the edges of a thicker PE (polyethylene) foil over an area of 50cm x 50cm (20 inches x 20 inches) on the screed surface using fabric adhesive tape.
Place a commercially available hygrometer, one that truly deserves the name, under the foil beforehand.
Now open the windows for ventilation and check after about 24 hours to see if condensation has formed under the foil. If so, the residual moisture is indeed still too high.
If no condensation appears, check the hygrometer scale. If the value is clearly below 70%, the screed is very likely dry enough for the installation of textile floor coverings.
For elastic coverings and parquet, the value should not exceed 65%.
Critics may now speak up, but this method can really provide a very good estimate!
---------------------
Regards, KlaRa
D
DragonyxXL21 Sep 2017 09:33KlaRa schrieb:
Please avoid using drying machines on a young screed! The potential disadvantages that often arise from this can be significant. How long is a screed considered "young"? It has now been 15 weeks since installation.
The floor installer came back today and measured 1.8-1.9. Installation will now proceed.
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