Hello everyone,
I have little experience with screed myself, so a quick question for the experts.
I had screed installed in a 36sqm (387 sqft) extension. Concrete screed was used, and the surface is not completely smooth. Apparently, an additional smoothing layer is needed, which I would have to pay for separately.
In my opinion, when I order screed, it should be suitable to apply a floor covering of my choice directly on top without requiring any further work.
Who is right in this case?
Thank you
I have little experience with screed myself, so a quick question for the experts.
I had screed installed in a 36sqm (387 sqft) extension. Concrete screed was used, and the surface is not completely smooth. Apparently, an additional smoothing layer is needed, which I would have to pay for separately.
In my opinion, when I order screed, it should be suitable to apply a floor covering of my choice directly on top without requiring any further work.
Who is right in this case?
Thank you
Just to clarify:
There is no such thing as a ready-mixed screed based on concrete!
It is either screed or concrete – both types differ first by the grain size of the mineral aggregates and further by the different installation methods.
A ready-mixed screed today is classified as a "prefabricated screed," which refers to so-called "dry screeds," or more precisely OSB or gypsum fiber boards.
However, we assume that a mineral cement screed was installed.
It should not develop cracks at corners or edges during the construction phase, but it can happen.
In that case, the screed is simply repaired at the damaged areas.
At corners, the affected part is removed and replaced with a synthetic resin screed.
But tearing out the entire heated screed just for this reason would be completely disproportionate!
And no expert in the field of screed work would support that!!
-------------
Regards, KlaRa
There is no such thing as a ready-mixed screed based on concrete!
It is either screed or concrete – both types differ first by the grain size of the mineral aggregates and further by the different installation methods.
A ready-mixed screed today is classified as a "prefabricated screed," which refers to so-called "dry screeds," or more precisely OSB or gypsum fiber boards.
However, we assume that a mineral cement screed was installed.
It should not develop cracks at corners or edges during the construction phase, but it can happen.
In that case, the screed is simply repaired at the damaged areas.
At corners, the affected part is removed and replaced with a synthetic resin screed.
But tearing out the entire heated screed just for this reason would be completely disproportionate!
And no expert in the field of screed work would support that!!
-------------
Regards, KlaRa
B
bluetoothtony14 Apr 2024 07:54The screed has now been completely removed.
Because it could not be guaranteed that it wouldn’t cause problems in the future. Every corner was broken, and it gave way considerably when subjected to heavier loads.
I think the contractor was unsure about it, and the costs would have been much higher if the screed had cracked after moving in.
The new screed is scheduled to be installed on Monday.
Hopefully without any issues this time.
Because it could not be guaranteed that it wouldn’t cause problems in the future. Every corner was broken, and it gave way considerably when subjected to heavier loads.
I think the contractor was unsure about it, and the costs would have been much higher if the screed had cracked after moving in.
The new screed is scheduled to be installed on Monday.
Hopefully without any issues this time.
C
chand198614 Apr 2024 10:54bluetoothtony schrieb:
The screed has now been completely removed.
Because it could not be ensured that it wouldn't cause problems in the future.
Every corner was broken, and it gave way noticeably when subjected to heavier loads.
I think the contractor himself wasn’t sure either, and the costs would have been much higher if the screed had cracked after moving in.
The new screed is scheduled for Monday.
Hopefully without any issues then. Did the contractor give any indication of WHAT he believes the cause was and why the new screed won’t cause problems? Several people here, including myself (though I’m not an expert), found the explanation about heating during drying implausible.
B
bluetoothtony14 Apr 2024 12:44chand1986 schrieb:
Did the contractor give any indication of WHAT he believes the cause is and accordingly WHY the new screed should no longer cause problems? Several people here, including myself, found the explanation about heating during drying not convincing (though I’m not an expert on this).According to him, it’s probably related to the heating system.
Additionally, the substrate was very soft.
A very soft material to which the underfloor heating was fastened with staples.
The screed was already very crumbly from the start.
Is this the first screed he is installing? Underfloor heating systems are often laid on "soft" expanded polystyrene boards, as the pipes are tacked down and the plastic staples need to hold. Underfloor heating has only been widely installed over the past few years, and before that, the respective screed was allowed to dry properly. It sounds more like he botched the screed mix himself and is now trying to pass the blame to someone else...
