Drying Screed: Why It’s Important?
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Let’s assume you’ve had your floor screed. Naturally, you’ll be impatient to move onto the next phases of removing laitance and then laying your flooring, be they carpet, tiles, laminate or wood floor or vinyl.
But before you do anything else, it’s essential that you build in time to your DIY and building project schedule for the screed to dry correctly.
What Happens If Screed Isn’t Dry?
If you want your floor to stand the test of time, your screed floor has to be even, firm and dry. If there’s still moisture underneath because your screed hasn’t been allowed to dry properly, that residual moisture will eventually try to escape.
The moisture will soften any glue you have used to adhere your flooring to the screed and this, in turn, can cause your flooring to loosen and lift away from the screed surface it’s been stuck to.
If a floor is laid on a screed surface that hasn’t had enough time to dry, your floor risks swelling. This is particularly so in the case of hardwood floors, laminate, vinyl floors or cork tiles.
The floor will look like it has dents in it or bulges and look unsightly and uneven.
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Typically, a screed floor needs to rest for around 24-48 hours. That means no footfall or placing of objects on the floor until this crucial period has passed.
The room temperature shouldn’t be lower than around 5°C. It’s essential to ensure that during this 24-48 hour period, the room is neither humid, draughty, nor exposed to direct sunlight. Windows should remain shut during this period. After 48 hours they can be opened so that any moisture can evaporate.
A screed floor is generally fully dry and ready for the flooring to be laid after a period of up to 40 days. However, it is possible to use ‘force drying’ techniques to speed things up. Some people introduce a dehumidifier into the room, but this should only be done 7 days after the floor has been screed and only used for around 2-5 to days.
If underfloor heating has been installed, you can turn it on to decrease the screed drying time. However, you can only do this 7 days after the liquid screed has been laid. However, the heating temperature can only be increased by up to 5°C a day.
Drying Screed Properly: The Benefits
Aside from ensuring your floor doesn’t buckle or bend, there are several other clear benefits to building time and patience into your flooring timetable!
By doing things correctly the first time around, you will be saving time in the long run. There’ll be no undoing expensive and time-consuming drying mistakes. It means you meet your deadline the first time around.
If you’re working on a project where different trades are involved, you risk delaying their schedules if you don’t get the drying process right the first time around. For example, if you’re laying a kitchen or bathroom floor, ensuring the floor is fully dry. This means plumbers, and electricians can get to work and not miss their deadlines either.
Lastly, mistakes cost money. By allowing time for screed floors to dry thoroughly before the flooring is laid down, you’re avoiding having to redo the job. This incurs costs and damage your reputation with your customers.
The Best Liquid Screed Company in Gloucestershire
Now you know a bit more about ensuring your screed floor is perfect. Contact one of the best Liquid Screed Company in Gloucestershire on 0800 197 8802 or email info@ukscreedsltd.co.uk.
