How To Choose A Dry Mix For A Floor Screed Correctly

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Properties of mixtures
• Selection features
• The advantages of ready-made solutions
• Types of materials
• Types of finished compounds
• Cement mix options
• Dry and concrete screed
• Correct calculation
• conclusions

Currently, there is no need to independently prepare the mixture for the floor screed. They are available in assortment at various building materials stores. In addition, they have a huge field of application, whether it is leveling the floor, covering underfloor heating, communication systems and much more. Installation work, due to the use of a dry mix for the screed, is carried out with reduced terms. But it is very important to know how to choose the right mixture for the job, based on the stated requirements.

Properties of mixtures

Dry mixes for floor screed are significantly superior in technical data to cement mortar screeds. The base turns out to be very strong and reliable, capable of serving for a long time. The finished floor screed is mounted without cracking, the main thing is to observe the technology of the process itself. It is very simple to apply and no high knowledge is required.

It is enough to add the required amount of water and get to work.

In any case, the manufacturer himself indicates the preparatory measures and rules for using the ready-made mixture. There are some guidelines to follow to ensure that all properties are preserved. This is very important in terms of adding water. With a large amount of it, the quality and strength of the surface becomes lower.

Quality mixtures are distinguished by the absence of cement "milk". There should be no precipitation and impurities. The structure of the finished solution must be uniform.

The work can be performed sequentially, in several stages. In this case, the floor should be filled with dry mix without creating a space between the joints. As a result, there will be no shrinkage if the best dry mixes for floor screed are chosen, and all requirements from the manufacturer are met.

When performing work, temperature conditions should also be observed. For each option and type of mixture, they will differ from each other. If we take, in general, the minimum limit should be +5 degrees.

Selection features

The choice in stores is huge, but everyone wants to get an answer to the question of which mix for floor screed is better. Here it is worth adhering to certain criteria before making a purchase. Any mixture will work for a specific sub-floor. It is here that its properties will manifest themselves with maximum efficiency. At the same time, ready-made mixtures for floor screed have their own requirements for the maximum thickness during pouring. The thickness will be affected by the evenness of the floor, the presence of communications, the device of additional systems, such as a warm floor.

When there are additional and significant loads on the floor itself, then the screed should be prepared based on these parameters. That is, a dry cement mixture is selected for a screed of a certain name. Each of the mortar options will gain strength for a certain time, which should be taken into account. So, for example, cement mixtures gain strength much more than gypsum. So after completing the work, they should be given a specific time to solidify.

When installing a warm floor, there are restrictions on the choice of a solution under the floor. Dry cement mixes for floor screed must be selected individually. Not all of them tolerate such a foundation. A package with a mixture will answer the question. The main thing is that there is compatibility between them.

If the compatibility of communications, mixtures, and also flooring is violated, no decent result will work. Thermal conductivity decreases, cracks and other flaws may appear. It is especially important here to pay attention to a specific room, which has its own characteristics. They should also be taken into account when choosing a finished dry screed.

For each building mixture, accompanying components must be purchased. For concrete surfaces, primers are useful to improve adhesion. The waterproofing primer is suitable for bathrooms, toilets. A primer is also necessary when linoleum, carpet or other soft material is used as flooring. In all other cases, there is no need to prime the surface.

Certain dry mixes can be used when working in cold weather. This will be indicated on the packaging. You can also purchase special antifreeze additives to obtain this result.

Experts advise to perform work using various mixtures, that is, to combine them with each other. For example, use semi-dry cement mixtures as surface leveling, and for a smooth base - anhydrite leveling agents. But each layer must dry completely so that you can proceed to the next.

The advantages of ready-made solutions

The ready-made dry mix for screed has a sufficient number of positive points that distinguish it from other options. These include:

• The composition is completely optimal, and there is no need to dose the components yourself.

  

• The finished layer can reach 5 mm, which cannot be done, for example, using concrete mortar.
• Less weight with traditional solutions. This item allows you to reduce the cost of transportation, delivery, when performing installation work.

• Execution of works without the use of special equipment. A construction mixer will suffice.

  

• If the mixture is supplemented with additives, then the strength, quality, durability and parameters of use (temperature, humidity) increase.
• The range of products allows you to choose a mixture for a specific room, flooring, based on technical data.
• Shorter time of solution hardening. The terms of work are reduced.
• Special knowledge is not useful. It's enough just to follow the instructions and fill.

Types of materials

To level the concrete surface, dry mixes (ready mixes), sand concrete (self-preparation of cement mortar) or "dry screed" are used, where there is no need to use water. All of them differ from each other in the technology of installation work, features of use, scope.

Types of finished compounds

Ready-made mixtures can be of two main types:

1. Cement. In this case, dry building mixtures for screed have various brands of cement as a binder. In most cases, it is precisely finely dispersed grades with the best quality indicators that are used. The filler is natural components or components from polymer compositions. Everything will depend on the customer's requirements.

2. Plaster. Gypsum is the main component here, which is a link with all possible others.

   

   But here you should approach them with caution, since excess moisture will only harm. This suggests that you should also choose a suitable room where the humidity level is appropriate (living rooms, dry rooms). But there is also a huge advantage. This ready-mixed flooring is environmentally friendly. The resulting surface will not release any chemicals or dust into the room. At the same time, the strength is very good due to the use of mineral fillers and polymer fibers in the composition. But then there are problems with thermal conductivity. Such mixtures for pouring floor screed are excellent thermal insulators. This has an advantage in certain situations, but not in the case of underfloor heating.

Gypsum options are the best mixes for wood floor screed. At the same time, dampness is easily released, if any, and the humidity is constantly under control.

Cement mix options

Depending on the work performed, all available cement mixtures are divided into a kind of group:

• Preparatory activities. Expanded clay with the appropriate fraction, stone chips are selected as a filler. This is necessary if you need to fill a large layer of screed (the base of the floor can have a significant difference in height in the room). Subsequently, after completing a base layer of about 50 mm, the final filling is performed.

  

• The finishing fill includes a variety of plasticizers and fine fillers. As a result, the surface is obtained not only smooth, but also without cracking. Once completely dry, it is ready for any type of flooring.
• Compositions capable of self-leveling after pouring. Here, the content contains special components of small size, not exceeding 0.3 mm. And such requirements are imposed not only on the binding elements of all components, but also on any fillers. During the pouring of such a screed pouring mixture, it is independently distributed around the perimeter and evens out all the required places. The base is very flat. It will fully match the final horizontal surface, which allows you to immediately apply any type of flooring.
• Many are interested in the question of what dry mix for screed is applicable if there is a warm floor. Here a special version of the solution will stand out, applicable not only for an electric device for a warm floor, but also for a water one. In this case, the plasticity of all components is significantly increased. During the heating of the floor, the solution remains the same and all the components do not allow it to crack. Thermal conductivity is also increased, which makes it possible to transfer heat energy with the best efficiency to the room itself, where everything is equipped.

Dry and concrete screed

For leveling, including wooden floors, a dry screed is used when no water is used throughout the work.

At the same time, it is important to make high-quality waterproofing so that you can subsequently fill in the leveling mixture. It includes fine expanded clay or polystyrene granules. Everything is individual. After backfilling, compaction is carried out and covered with sheet material.

As soon as all the preparatory measures and installation of the structure are completed, you can proceed to the flooring. Floor loads are minimal, and the backfill layer thickness is up to 12 mm.

A cement-sandy dry mix for screed is usually prepared independently, according to measured proportions. But this method has less strength and is classified as rough. The main thing is to prepare everything correctly and add the right amount of water. But there is also a ready-made version of "sand concrete". But not everyone knows which one is best to choose from. Experts advise taking it at least M-75 in strength. It is also called "skinny" concrete. But you should not purchase above the M-300 brand. Building material will be unnecessarily consumed. The proportions are governed by building codes and regulations.

There is also a certain consistency of the finished mixture, which should not be thick, which will complicate the leveling process, but resemble thick sour cream. The composition is in any case brought to homogeneity. To increase plasticity, a certain amount of water is added. But all other proportions must be revised so that the fortress remains at the proper level.

When the proportions are all met, the technology of the screed device is taken into account, the base will turn out to be not only strong, but also durable. It will be possible to operate it for a long time.

Correct calculation

It is very important to know how much of the ready-made dry mix for the floor screed should be purchased so that it is enough, there is no overrun. In this case, calculations are made by the volume of the finished screed: the area is measured, which should be multiplied by the middle layer of the required layer.

After that, we divide the result obtained by 0.1, and then multiply by the indicators of the consumption of dry mortar for floor screed per 1 m2.

Since the packing of dry mortar for floor screed is carried out in bags of 25 or 50 kg, it is by this value that the previously obtained result should be divided. It turns out that you have to buy 2,3 or 5 bags, which will be used up for the whole room. An online calculator will help you determine the right amount of solution.

conclusions

When choosing a mixture, you should focus on the work plan, the base of the floor, the required parameters. Each specific option is selected individually. But you can be sure that this significantly reduces the time to complete the work, and the process itself is less costly in terms of the labor used.

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