Floor screeding is a fundamental step in any construction or renovation project. It forms the base for a smooth, level surface upon which floor coverings like tiles, wood, or vinyl can be installed. A well-executed screed ensures a flawless final finish, while a poorly done one can lead to a host of problems down the line.
At Optimum Flooring Services, we’re passionate about delivering exceptional results. Here are 10 floor screeding tips you need to achieve amazing results:
Preparation is Key:
Understand the Purpose: Different floor screeds serve different purposes. Identify if the screed needs to be load-bearing, provide thermal insulation, or act as a moisture barrier. Choosing the right screed type based on its intended function is crucial.
Choose the Right Materials: The success of your screed hinges on using high-quality materials. Select the appropriate screed mix based on the project requirements and ensure all other materials like primers and separating membranes are compatible.
Prepare the Substrate: The surface onto which the screed is applied (substrate) needs to be clean, sound, and free from dust, debris, or oil. Uneven surfaces may require levelling prior to screeding. For some substrates, a damp-proof membrane (DPM) might be necessary to prevent moisture transmission.
Precision and Technique:
Use Guides and Levelling Equipment: Achieving a perfectly level screed requires precision. Utilise screeding guides, laser levels, and spirit levels to ensure the screed is laid at the desired thickness and maintains a consistent level throughout.
Set the Appropriate Screed Thickness: The thickness of the screed depends on the floor area, substrate type, and underfloor heating systems (if applicable). Consulting industry recommendations or a flooring specialist will ensure you choose the optimal thickness for your project.
Mix the Screed Correctly: Proper mixing is essential for a consistent and workable screed. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the water-to-mix ratio and mixing time. For larger projects, consider using a mechanical mixer to achieve a homogeneous consistency.
Optimum Conditions and Finishing Touches:
Control Temperature and Humidity: Maintain a moderate temperature and controlled humidity during screed application and curing. Extreme temperatures or rapid drying can cause the screed to crack.
Allow for Proper Curing: Curing allows the screed to gain strength and minimize the risk of shrinkage cracks. Follow the recommended curing time for the chosen screed material and avoid exposing the surface to direct sunlight or strong drafts.
Inspect the Screed Finish: Once cured, inspect the screed surface for any imperfections like high spots or depressions. Minor irregularities can be rectified using a grinding tool.
Protect the Screed: Once levelled and finished, protect the screed from damage or contamination before installing the final floor covering. Use sheets of plastic or protective membranes to shield the surface.
Partner with Optimum Flooring Services
By following these tips and partnering with a company like Optimum Flooring Services, you can achieve exceptional floor screeding results. Our team of experienced professionals possesses the expertise and resources to handle any size or complexity of floor screeding project.
We offer a range of services, including:
Screed material selection and sourcing
Substrate preparation and priming
Screed application and levelling
Fast curing screed options (where applicable)
Curing management and aftercare advice
Contact Optimum Flooring Services today for a free consultation and discuss your floor screeding requirements. Let’s work together to create a solid foundation for your project.
Slips and trips are among the most common injuries that occur in workplaces in the UK. It is nearly a third of all injuries and 28% of fatalities in the workplace in the UK.
Although slip and trip hazards can be found in most work environments, certain areas are at a higher risk. Industrial buildings like factories and warehouses where liquid spillages and slippery floors are common are well-known for these types of injuries. Health Risks of Slippery FloorsFractures and dislocated joints, and broken bones are just three of the most common results of slip injuries. Sprains, cuts, and hand injuries may also occur. These accidents will not only affect productivity but can also incur unexpected expenses.
Intending to prevent slip injuries from happening in workplaces, the government imposes the Health and Safety at Work Act as well as the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations to help and regulate businesses into making their workplaces safe and have a lower risk of accidents.
These acts prioritise the importance of slip injury prevention and risk assessment. And one of the best and easiest ways to achieve that is by investing in a safe flooring system.
Anti-Slip Flooring Benefits
There are several anti-slip flooring systems available in the market. But among them all, resin flooring takes the top spot as the most advantageous.
Resin flooring systems are made of synthetic resins that are strategically mixed and developed to reduce slippage in specific environments. From light to heavy-duty environments, there are flooring resins to match their needs.
In some areas where further reduction to slippage is necessary such as in wet floors, resin flooring can be with added aggregates to make it more slip-resistant. Other varieties include solvent or water-based resins. As for food-safe environments, there are also solvent-free resins.
Optimum Flooring Services
Need help in making your business establishment slip-free? Get in touch with Optimum Flooring Services for help.
We offer versatile and slip-free flooring solutions for different types and sizes of establishments with quality assured from start to finish.
The wait is on. You’ve just had a new floor screed laid, and now the question on everyone’s mind is: when can we walk on it? When can we install the final floor covering? Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to “how long does screed take to dry?”. Several factors influence drying times, and understanding them is crucial for effective project planning.
At Optimum Flooring Services, we take pride in delivering exceptional flooring solutions and transparent communication. In this blog, we’ll delve into the world of screed drying times, exploring the key factors at play and offering guidance on what to expect.
Understanding Screed Types and Drying Rates:
The type of screed material used significantly impacts drying times. Here’s a breakdown of some common screeds and their drying characteristics:
Traditional Sand & Cement Screed: This workhorse of the screeding world offers good strength and durability but has a relatively slow drying time. Typically, traditional screeds require 1mm of drying per day for the first 50mm, followed by an increasing drying time for each additional millimetre. A 50mm thick traditional screed, under ideal conditions, might take around 2 months to dry fully.
Fast-Drying Screeds: Modern screed formulations incorporate additives that accelerate the drying process. These screeds can achieve drying rates of 10-15mm per day, significantly reducing waiting times. However, they may come at a slightly higher cost compared to traditional screeds.
Liquid Screeds: These self-levelling screeds offer a smooth finish and faster drying times compared to traditional screeds. They can achieve drying times as low as 1mm per day, with some formulations reaching full walkability within 24-48 hours.
Beyond Material: Factors Affecting Drying Time
While screed type plays a major role, other factors also influence drying times:
Thickness of the Screed: As a general rule, thicker screeds take longer to dry. The increased volume of material requires more time for moisture to evaporate.
Ambient Conditions: Temperature and humidity significantly impact drying rates. Warm, well-ventilated environments promote faster drying. Conversely, cold or humid conditions can slow down the drying process considerably.
Subfloor Characteristics: A porous subfloor like concrete allows moisture to transmit upwards, aiding in drying. However, a non-porous subfloor like vinyl may require additional measures like a DPM (damp-proof membrane) to prevent moisture from becoming trapped beneath the screed.
Optimum Practices for Faster Drying:
Maintain Good Ventilation: Ensure proper airflow throughout the space during the drying process. Open windows and doors whenever possible, and consider using fans to circulate air.
Control Temperature and Humidity: If possible, maintain a moderate temperature (around 15-20°C) and control humidity levels (ideally below 65%). Dehumidifiers can be helpful in achieving these conditions.
Cover the Screed (Partially): While complete exposure promotes drying, covering the screed loosely with breathable membranes can help prevent rapid drying and minimise the risk of cracks.
When Can You Walk on the Screed and Install Floor Coverings?
The answer depends on the type of screed, its thickness, and drying conditions. Here’s a general guideline:
Walking: For traditional screeds, waiting at least 48 hours is recommended before walking on the surface. Fast-drying screeds and liquid screeds might allow for foot traffic sooner, depending on the specific product. Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for your chosen screed material.
Floor Coverings: Installing floor coverings like tiles or wood requires a completely dry screed. The residual moisture content (RMC) needs to be within the acceptable range specified for the chosen floor covering. Moisture meters can be used to measure the RMC of the screed.
Partner with Optimum Flooring Services for Expert Advice
At Optimum Flooring Services, we understand the importance of accurate drying time estimations for successful project planning. Our experienced team can assess your specific project requirements, including screed type, thickness, and desired timeline. We can then provide you with a realistic timeframe for screed drying and advise on any necessary measures to optimise the drying process.
Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s ensure your floor screeding project runs smoothly and efficiently.
We carry out concrete patch repairs quickly, with minimal mess and disruption, within your timescales and scheduled to suit your time windows. Patch repairs can be carried out at weekends and at night if required to suit your production/workflow requirements. Repairs can also be carried out in sequence, e.g. one isle or bay in one visit then the next area in the next visit etc, to minimise the impact to operations.
Timescales, budget, type and amount of traffic, substances in contact with the floor and many other factors have a bearing on which repair materials to select. We can carry out the repairs in a wide range of epoxy resin and fast-cure cement-based mortars that will be selected to best suit the parameters of your job. We also carry out works with materials specified by others, for example you might already have a materials specification from an architect, engineer, building surveyor or facilities manager in which case we can work to their specification.
You may have a very small window of opportunity to carry out the works and the faster setting the material the better. Some concrete repair mortars can accept traffic less than an hour after being laid. Or you may have an area heavily trafficked by forklifts, HGVs and heavy vibrating equipment requiring the heaviest duty epoxy resin mortar repair to protect against future impacts and abrasion.
Preventing damage to forklifts, equipment and employees
Even small areas of damage, unlevel or uneven patches, broken floor joints, cracks, potholes and bumps in the floor can cause damage to expensive equipment such as forklifts or create a trip or slip hazard to employees.
Preparation is everything
Not only in terms of scheduling and planning the works, but also preparing the surfaces prior to carrying out the repair to ensure a long lasting, hard wearing finish. It is imperative that all defective materials are removed before making the repair, in some instances it might be necessary to saw-cut around the damage and excavate deeper than you might expect to make sure the best possible repair is carried out. We use professional mechanical abrasion tools to remove all defective material and provide a suitable key for the repair materials. Dust will be kept to a minimum using an industrial vacuum / dust extractor (on tool dust extraction?). It is vital that the right primers are used for the repair, primers can aid adhesion and long-term performance, but different primers can also supress moisture, stop contamination and loss of adhesion from oils, aid adhesion to metals and such like.
concrete floor repair
Getting a Professional Finish
We will carry out the repair quickly with minimal mess and disruption. Our experienced staff provide a professionally finished repair every time.
Patch repairs to hygienic resin screeds in food factories
We carry out fast neat repairs to damaged resin screeds on factory floors, widely used in the food industry. The repairs will be completed in a material as close in appearance and performance to the existing floor screed as possible to create a heavy duty, impervious / waterproof finish that will not support the growth of pathogens.
Types of areas we carry out high strength concrete repairs to
We can out repairs to a wide variety of premises including concrete floors generally, factory floors, loading bays, warehouse floors, production areas, workshops, shops, restaurants, commercial kitchens, car showrooms, multi-storey carparks, bakeries, breweries, abattoirs, chemical plants, and many others.
Concrete Patch Repairs Next Step
For more information on concrete patch repairs, to arrange a site visit or request a quote please contact us at info@optimumflooringservicesltd.co.uk or call us on 01782865099
Concrete is an essential component of many resin flooring systems, as it provides the base layer on which the resin is applied. The quality of the concrete used in a resin flooring system is therefore an important consideration, as it can have a significant impact on the performance and durability of the floor.
One of the main factors that determines the quality of concrete is the mix ratio of the materials used to make it. Concrete is made from a mixture of cement, water, and aggregates, and the proportions of these materials will affect the strength, durability, and other properties of the concrete. It is important to use the correct mix ratio and to ensure that the materials are of good quality to produce a strong and durable concrete.
Another factor that can impact the quality of concrete is the curing process. Concrete needs time to cure after it has been poured and finished, during which it hardens and achieves its full strength. If the concrete is not cured properly, it may be weaker and more prone to cracking or other issues.
The quality of the surface on which the concrete is poured is also important. The surface should be smooth, level, and free of debris to ensure that the concrete can be poured and finished evenly. Any imperfections or unevenness in the surface will be reflected in the finished concrete.
The quality of the concrete used in a resin flooring system is critical to the overall performance and durability of the floor. Poor-quality concrete can result in a weaker, less durable floor that is more prone to issues such as cracking, spalling, and staining. Using good-quality concrete will help to ensure that the resin flooring system is strong, durable, and long-lasting.
Overall, the quality of concrete is an important factor to consider when installing a resin flooring system. Using good-quality concrete will help to ensure that the floor is strong, durable, and long-lasting, and it can help to improve the overall performance and appearance of the floor.
