We realized after 12 days that our installer had set the wrong drying program. It has been running constantly at 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) for 12 days. This is an electrically powered external device, not the heat pump.
The installer is coming tomorrow. What do you recommend? I will have the screed moisture measured today. However, my main concern is the expansion. If I increase the temperature from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius (86 to 104°F) tomorrow, then from Friday to Saturday to 50 degrees Celsius (122°F), and keep it there for two days until Monday, will that be sufficient?
We have already scheduled all subsequent work steps with all contractors after the drying program. It would be a disaster if we had to extend the program.
The installer is coming tomorrow. What do you recommend? I will have the screed moisture measured today. However, my main concern is the expansion. If I increase the temperature from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius (86 to 104°F) tomorrow, then from Friday to Saturday to 50 degrees Celsius (122°F), and keep it there for two days until Monday, will that be sufficient?
We have already scheduled all subsequent work steps with all contractors after the drying program. It would be a disaster if we had to extend the program.
bauenmk202027 Jun 2020 16:38I read that heating the screed to around 50°C (122°F) for post-installation heating also has the positive side effect of reducing energy costs during the next heating season. Is there any truth to this?
Ötzi Ötztaler28 Jun 2020 00:03
Very interesting thread! I’ve already learned a lot.
A quick question for the expert @KlaRa:
We have a cement screed installed as a floating heated screed, and the heating start-up program is delayed due to installation issues, so it only begins after almost 5 weeks. The screed is already somewhat dry on the surface but probably still quite moist underneath. Now I would like to speed up the drying of the plaster, brickwork, and screed by using condensation dryers. Is it safe to run these during the heating start-up phase, or should the drying units only be switched on afterward? Also, what minimum air humidity should the dryers maintain to avoid surface flaking?
Additionally, I plan to set up regular fans on a low setting to help circulate air from the individual rooms to the dryers. Is that okay, or is it necessary to use the special fans provided by the drying equipment rental?
How long should the dryers be used to reasonably dry the building?
A quick question for the expert @KlaRa:
We have a cement screed installed as a floating heated screed, and the heating start-up program is delayed due to installation issues, so it only begins after almost 5 weeks. The screed is already somewhat dry on the surface but probably still quite moist underneath. Now I would like to speed up the drying of the plaster, brickwork, and screed by using condensation dryers. Is it safe to run these during the heating start-up phase, or should the drying units only be switched on afterward? Also, what minimum air humidity should the dryers maintain to avoid surface flaking?
Additionally, I plan to set up regular fans on a low setting to help circulate air from the individual rooms to the dryers. Is that okay, or is it necessary to use the special fans provided by the drying equipment rental?
How long should the dryers be used to reasonably dry the building?
bauenmk202029 Jun 2020 21:21For us, about 21 days of screed curing with ventilation three times a day.
After that, 1 month of heating device usage for drying and maintaining the screed readiness at 30°C (86°F).
Residual moisture at 1.x% < 2% according to the tiler, acceptable.
Floating cement screed.
After that, 1 month of heating device usage for drying and maintaining the screed readiness at 30°C (86°F).
Residual moisture at 1.x% < 2% according to the tiler, acceptable.
Floating cement screed.
Vicky Pedia29 Jun 2020 23:13bauenmk2020 schrieb:
I read that heating the screed up to about 50°C (122°F) for drying before covering also has the positive side effect of reducing energy costs in the following heating season. Is there any truth to this? Please note: Heating the screed and drying it before covering are two different processes and should not be confused!
Vicky Pedia29 Jun 2020 23:15bauenmk2020 schrieb:
For us, about 21 days of screed drying with ventilation three times per day.
After that, one month of drying with a heating device maintaining 30°C (86°F) for readiness to cover.
Residual moisture at around 1.x% below 2% according to the tile installer, acceptable.
Cement screed, floating. Also here: definitely use a dryer, not just a heater! It is really unfortunate that so many issues are confused in this context.
Vicky Pedia29 Jun 2020 23:19Ötzi Ötztaler schrieb:
Very interesting thread! I've already learned a lot.
One question for the expert @KlaRa:
We have a cement screed installed as a floating heated screed, and the heating start-up program only begins after almost 5 weeks due to delays with the heating installation. So the screed has already partially dried on the surface but is probably still quite damp underneath. Now I want to accelerate the drying process of the plaster, brick masonry, and screed a bit by using condensation dryers. Is it safe to use these during the heating phase, or should the drying units only be switched on afterwards? And what relative humidity level should the dryers not go below to avoid surface damage (like dusting or powdering)?
Also, I plan to set up regular fans at low speed to help circulate air from the individual rooms to the drying units. Is that okay, or should I definitely use the special fans from the drying equipment rental?
For how long should the dryers be used to get the building reasonably dry? I’m no expert, but have the tile installer measure the remaining moisture content. Then you can use 1–2 drying units in addition to intermittent ventilation. The collection container should stop filling after about 14 days; then it’s good. The tile installer needs to check the floor covering readiness, as they are responsible for it.
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