Liquid screed also called flowing screed, is a more modern alternative to traditional cement screeds. Liquid screeds come with many advantages if you’re renovating a new home. For example, it’s the perfect solution for levelling an uneven floor to install floor tiles afterwards. It’s also the best way to make the most of underfloor heating because the liquid screed will close in on the pipes and leave no air bubbles that disperse the heat.
Whereas cement mixes are easy to mix at home, Liquid Screed is best supplied and poured by a professional. That said, there’s lots you can do yourself, especially where the preparation for flowing screed in Newbury is concerned.
In this article, we’ll look at how to pay liquid screed and how to prepare beforehand.
Let’s get started!
How Does Liquid Screed Differ from Traditional Screed?
Before we dive in any deeper, let’s first cover what flowing screed is and how it compares to more old-fashioned solutions. Screeds are no structural element of your home. Instead, they are applied above flooring to ensure a level and flat surface onto which finishing materials can be placed. For example, carpet, wooden panels or tiles. Underfloor Heating is laid under the screed, which aims to surround all heating elements.
Traditional screed is laid with a cement mix that is only semi-liquid and needs to be levelled out manually. As such, the results are often not fully even unless you complete a perfect job. The benefit of the cement screed is that it is very affordable and uncomplicated to mix yourself at home.
Liquid screed, in comparison, is pumped in and then poured over the floor. It levels itself, creating a perfectly smooth and even surface that encloses all elements beneath. Liquid screed is quick to dry, so it can be walked on as soon as 72 hours after pouring it.
Because Liquid Screeds are ready-mixed, they are supplied by trusted contractors specializing in Floor Screed for Reading and Newbury, including UK Screeds Ltd.
How to Prepare for Laying Flowing Screed in Newbury
Preparation can help the screeding process run more smoothly and ensure good results. As always, prep is critical and should not be neglected.
Here are the steps you should take to lay flowing screed on your own or with your contractors.
Measure the amount of screed required. This ensures you get the right amount of liquid screed and don’t spend more than you have to. Nor will you risk a thicker floor than necessary. One of the advantages of liquid screed is getting an even floor with just a thin layer of screed.
Here’s a tip: When pouring your liquid screed, have a container ready that can take excess screed.
Remove debris and lay down insulation. The area to be screeded needs to be watertight. To help with this, make sure you clean all debris and dust from the floor. If you add insulation, do this below the waterproofing membrane.
Lay the waterproofing membrane. This consists of polyethene sheeting that ensures there is no leakage of the screed. The membrane needs to curl up around the edges of the area and stick to the walls. Tape all joins with gaffer tape beforehand. You will need some expansion foam around the edges of the room to allow for movements of the floor over time. Temperature changes can cause the floor to expand, and if it has nowhere to go, you might suffer cracks later down the line.
Secure underfloor heating pipes. If you are laying underfloor heating with your liquid screed, this is the next step. Secure the pipes or trays inside the polyethene with self-sealing clips. Make sure nothing will float up when the flowing screed is poured. Filling the pipes can help weigh them down and stop them from floating or being compressed by the screed’s weight.
Once everything is sealed and waterproofed, you or your chosen contractors are ready to lay the liquid screed!
How to Lay Liquid Screed
Because Liquid screed comes premixed and will be pumped into your home, this process is usually completed by experienced flowing screed experts. The process is relatively quick once all preparation is finished!
There are, however, a few rules to observe. First of all, you can’t lay liquid screed in “extreme” temperatures below 5 degrees or above 30 degrees.
Your contractors will arrive a few hours before the screed is poured to check the area is fully prepped and watertight. They will also determine which level the screed will rise in the room and may use levelling tripods positioned in various spots. Then, when the screed is poured, professionals will wade through it to spread it out. You can expect the freshly poured flowing screed to have the consistency of cream. It will, therefore, efficiently run to all corners of the area you have prepared.
After the screed is poured, it’s tampered with a screed dapple bar to get any air bubbles.
Don’t Want To Do This Yourself? You Don’t Have To.
Getting your floor screed right is vital to ensure you have the perfect surface for floor tiles later. When it comes to flowing screed, it’s usual for contractors to do the pouring and ensure a smooth finish. UK Screeds Ltd is the leading provider for Liquid Screeds in the UK. We also design and install underfloor heating and finish your screed, so it’s ready for tiling.
Get in touch today to learn more about our process and get a custom quote.
John Dixone is an avid home blogger, with the goal of helping his readers find inspiration and ideas for their next project. He writes about everything from small design projects to large renovations. His goal is to help people transform their homes into something that reflects who they are.
