Floor screed is a blended mixture of sand and cement, typically used to even out irregularities in the flooring. It creates a surface that is level and supports your gorgeous new flooring and heavy furniture, not to mention the traffic it is likely to encounter.
Aside from levelling uneven floors, there are countless reasons why floor screed is used for renovations. For example:
- It eliminates damp
- It can cover underfloor heating pipes, allowing heat to spread
- It saves you money on your energy bills – adding insulation
The question is, how do you do it?
Mixing the ingredients properly, smoothly and evenly is no easy feat, and it takes a lot of experience to achieve a perfectly flat, level surface. It’s also worth knowing that – once the screed is laid – it can be tricky to remove and redo.
That’s why we thought we’d share some top tips to ensure you get the best possible results…
How to screed your floor successfully:
Prepare the area
To start, you’re going to need to clear the area that needs screeding. Move everything out of the room and use duct tape to mark out the perimeter of your floor before measuring up. It’s also a good idea to sweep up any loose rubble and debris using a brush.
Remove the skirting boards (if possible)
Removing the existing skirting boards without damaging them can be difficult but you will need to use a chisel and hammer to do so. If you’re concerned about damaging the boards, you could always cover them up as much as possible?
Choose a screed type
Arguably the most crucial step of the floor screeding process. There are several types of floor screed to choose from – including traditional sand and cement screeds, higher-strength screeds, fast-drying screeds and liquid screeds. Traditional floor screeds tend to be the most suitable option for domestic and light commercial use, but it’s well worth doing your research (or contacting an expert) to find out which is best for the task at hand.
Lay the screed
Once you’ve decided which type you need, and all the ingredients are fully amalgamated, pour it over the section of your subfloor that you wish to begin with. Using a trowel, smoothen the screed across the area and remember to leave yourself an exit point. Once you have screeded the entire floor, make sure you allow plenty of time to dry before walking over it and applying the final floor covering.
Cheat
Whilst it is possible to screed a floor yourself (using the tips and advice listed above), it is not the easiest of things to do; which is why, it’s worth calling floor screeding specialists, like the team at JCW. They are experts when it comes to screeding floors and know all the tricks of the trade to ensure a smooth, even finish – ready for the final covering. Their screed teams can even advise you on the best screed for the job.
So, what are you waiting for? To find out more about the screeds they use or to discuss your project requirements in detail, call 01204 387 029 today.