Hello forum,
Short version
The screed is too thin, and the company will probably try to fix it rather than remove and redo it.
Long version:
Our construction is not going as planned. We now have the issue that our screed is too thin.
The situation is as follows: We are building a single-family house with a general contractor on a slab foundation. It’s not completely turnkey, but the screed is still the responsibility of the general contractor. On the slab, there is insulation (polystyrene boards), on top of that the underfloor heating is installed, and the cement screed was poured over it. There is no screed under the shower tray. I could see the side and measured the total screed thickness at only 45mm (1.8 inches). However, the relevant standards specify that the screed must be 45mm (1.8 inches) above the heating pipes, so we definitely have too little thickness.
I contacted the site manager, who filed a complaint with the screed subcontractor. He also acknowledged that a greater build-up over the pipes is needed. He said he spoke with the screed company, and there are ways to add another layer (with a bonding layer, etc.). Allegedly, he experienced this once before without problems.
I have now searched forums and found statements suggesting that repairs are only possible if there are already 45mm (1.8 inches) of screed above the heating pipes. In our case, it is definitely not. I also found out that the screed company doesn’t believe we only have 45mm (1.8 inches) and wants to inspect the site. They are welcome to do so; a meeting with the site manager and subcontractor is scheduled.
However, I am very concerned because it sounds to me like the screed including the heating pipes will need to be removed entirely and redone to be defect-free. I do not want to accept a repair that might cause the large tiles and parquet flooring to crack in 15 years. In my opinion, removal and replacement would be better. I am considering getting one or two expert opinions from other screed companies or, if necessary, a surveyor.
Are there any screed experts here, and what do you think about the situation?
What options do I have?
We also face additional costs because we only discovered the problem on the day the construction company left for their winter holiday, and we were only able to report it afterwards. The tiler was supposed to start now. The rental apartment has already been terminated. Several deliveries have to be rescheduled or temporarily stored. On top of that, the full loan repayment is starting now.
Short version
The screed is too thin, and the company will probably try to fix it rather than remove and redo it.
Long version:
Our construction is not going as planned. We now have the issue that our screed is too thin.
The situation is as follows: We are building a single-family house with a general contractor on a slab foundation. It’s not completely turnkey, but the screed is still the responsibility of the general contractor. On the slab, there is insulation (polystyrene boards), on top of that the underfloor heating is installed, and the cement screed was poured over it. There is no screed under the shower tray. I could see the side and measured the total screed thickness at only 45mm (1.8 inches). However, the relevant standards specify that the screed must be 45mm (1.8 inches) above the heating pipes, so we definitely have too little thickness.
I contacted the site manager, who filed a complaint with the screed subcontractor. He also acknowledged that a greater build-up over the pipes is needed. He said he spoke with the screed company, and there are ways to add another layer (with a bonding layer, etc.). Allegedly, he experienced this once before without problems.
I have now searched forums and found statements suggesting that repairs are only possible if there are already 45mm (1.8 inches) of screed above the heating pipes. In our case, it is definitely not. I also found out that the screed company doesn’t believe we only have 45mm (1.8 inches) and wants to inspect the site. They are welcome to do so; a meeting with the site manager and subcontractor is scheduled.
However, I am very concerned because it sounds to me like the screed including the heating pipes will need to be removed entirely and redone to be defect-free. I do not want to accept a repair that might cause the large tiles and parquet flooring to crack in 15 years. In my opinion, removal and replacement would be better. I am considering getting one or two expert opinions from other screed companies or, if necessary, a surveyor.
Are there any screed experts here, and what do you think about the situation?
What options do I have?
We also face additional costs because we only discovered the problem on the day the construction company left for their winter holiday, and we were only able to report it afterwards. The tiler was supposed to start now. The rental apartment has already been terminated. Several deliveries have to be rescheduled or temporarily stored. On top of that, the full loan repayment is starting now.
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Bierwächter13 Jan 2026 23:47ypg schrieb:
What exactly are you looking at there? Are you installing a shower tray? Yes, a shallow shower pan will be installed, so I can look at it directly from that angle. Here is a photo from the perspective of the shower pan.
I have reread DIN 18560 but unfortunately still cannot find any statement indicating that it must be a homogeneous layer.
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Bierwächter15 Jan 2026 23:41@Tolentino who can say something about this? The highlight function seems to be broken...
I would recommend having an independent expert from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) take a look as soon as possible. They can tell you whether it’s acceptable and how to fix the issue. Nothing else will really help, because the general contractor and subcontractors will just say: this has never been a problem before, we’ve always done it this way.
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Bierwächter19 Jan 2026 05:33I must have misunderstood something. Our construction manager once had a case involving rework. However, the screeding company did not comment on how we should proceed in our situation. The only information from the screeding company is that they do not believe we have too little material and want to inspect the site.
So for now, I am waiting for the appointment; maybe they will say on their own that the screed needs to be removed.
So for now, I am waiting for the appointment; maybe they will say on their own that the screed needs to be removed.