How To Arrange A Semi-dry Floor Screed Using Special Equipment

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

• Application area
• Pluses of a mechanized screed
• Use of fiberglass and other components
• Screed installation
• The cost
• Painting
• Advice

When you enter any room, the floor immediately catches your eye, the quality of its implementation. In order for any floor covering to lay down beautifully and evenly, a rough version, that is, the base, must be made accordingly. It is on him that you want to spend as little time as possible. For this purpose, a mechanized floor screed was invented in the apartment. It is carried out with the help of special equipment, which makes it possible to carry out everything in the shortest possible time and with high quality.

Application area

This option of a semi-dry screed is performed in the case when the final coating is ultimately final. This includes warehouses, garage buildings, etc. The same applies to the subsequent decorative finishing of the floor. This is if we take into account the evenness of the surface.

A mechanized floor screed in an apartment is done if you want to get a high-quality and durable base for the floor covering. After all, evenness of the surface is important for floor coverings such as laminate or parquet. Labor costs are minimal here, however, such a semi-dry screed has quite high prices due to the use of expensive equipment in the work.

When a person doubts whether a semi-dry screed or an ordinary one is better, then everything here will depend on the desired result. When a sub-floor is required as an additional layer of sound insulation, then a mechanized option is indispensable. It will also easily allow you to hide the existing elements of communications, piping or wiring. In addition, less water is used in the solution, which expands the field of application in terms of the base for a semi-dry screed.

Pluses of a mechanized screed

Not only the speed of production of a semi-dry screed sets it apart from other options for the device of the subfloor. The advantages of its use include:

• Less labor costs with great productivity.
• The solution gains strength in the shortest possible time.

• There is no need to use steel mesh as a reinforcing agent.

  

  There are enough alternatives that reduce the overall weight and have better properties and characteristics.

• Excellent heat and sound insulation properties of the finished base.
• A small amount of water in the finished solution.
• No shrinkage cracks.
• a plasticizer for a semi-dry screed, as well as any other types of additives, make the mortar more plastic and capable of withstanding various loads.
• Semi-dry screed services are mainly provided by specialized firms that have all the necessary equipment in stock. The result is much better from this.

Use of fiberglass and other components

In addition to water, other components can be added to the prepared solution, among which there is a reinforcing substance - fiber. Semi-dry mixes usually contain all the elements in one bag, in which it is enough to add the required amount of water. The main thing is not to overdo it.

The fiber is optimally combined with sea sand with a grain size of up to 0.05 mm. Cement grade - at least M500, as well as other possible substances, the presence of which will depend on certain circumstances, weather conditions and requirements for the base for the flooring.

Fiber fiber replaces the usual steel mesh.

At the same time, it increases the strength characteristics of the subfloor, does not allow cracks to form on the surface. When adding fiber to a dry mixture, when preparing a solution on your own, it must mix evenly with all the components, and then you can pour water. Stirring is continued until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Fiber connects very easily with them.

A semi-dry screed exhibits positive characteristics only when all proportions are observed in full compliance with the manufacturer's requirements. This is especially true for the addition of water, the excess of which leads to the appearance of cracks and numerous places of shrinkage.

Screed installation

First, you need to prepare the base for performing a semi-dry screed in a mechanized way. For this purpose, all debris, dust, dirt are removed, cracks and potholes in the ceiling are sealed to the maximum. Do not forget about the waterproofing layer and perimeter fastening along the walls and architectural structures of the damper tape.

Upon completion of the preparatory measures, using a special technique characteristic of this method of screed device, the mixed solution is fed through hoses into the room. Backfilling should be carried out according to those beacons that are installed using a laser level.

Using the usual rule, the solution is evenly distributed throughout the room. You can start work from any corner located away from the entrance to the room. To perform a mechanized semi-dry screed, one person will be enough, who will be the operator. But it is worth remembering that after that within 6 hours it is necessary to grout the base and sand.

Sanding of a semi-dry screed is carried out using trowels. The capacity of the work is noticeably reduced when using them. In addition, all the irregularities are unlikely to be eliminated manually.

In addition, expansion joints are cut. Their main purpose is to get rid of possible defects that arise from shrinkage. More often than not, seams repair cracks.

The result is a very flat surface, on which, after 12 hours, you can safely move. Depending on the flooring used, in certain situations it can be installed even after a week.

The cost

When it comes to this option for a rough floor, everyone thinks about how much a semi-dry floor screed with material costs. As for the material itself, the price is likely to be even lower than the installation of a concrete surface. The main waste is the use of special equipment.

Equipment for performing mechanized semi-dry screeds can be rented. There are enough companies specializing in this area. But a better option is to order the installation of a subfloor from a construction company. They will definitely have everything at hand to achieve a positive result in their work. True, the wages will be appropriate. It is only worth noting that hardly anyone will undertake to perform a semi-dry screed in this way in a small room with an area of about 15 m ². In this case, the use of special equipment will be irrational and very expensive. It may be better to choose a dry screed technology with backfill.

Renting equipment in full will cost about 8-10 thousand rubles. Before that, you should think about whether there is a desire to spend such amounts on repairs in the apartment. A semi-dry floor screed with your own hands in an apartment will cost a little less if you still use a concrete mixer, and not special equipment.

Painting

There is not always a desire to lay the floor covering on the sub-floor. In this case, the topcoat must be brought into proper form.

Owners of warehouses or rented space often think about how to paint a semi-dry screed.

The presence of a large number of painting materials on sale makes us think about what we want to get in the end. It can be a solid surface, smooth, colorful, bright, avoiding the effects of external influences. Some paints are able to resist abrasion during use.

Everything will depend on the size of the wallet and the requirements of the customer.

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Advice

Each semi-dry screed specialist can give advice to a novice builder or to someone who wants to carry out repair work in a house or apartment on their own.

Drying of the poured solution is very important, as well as careful care for it. It is impossible for a large number of sun rays to appear in the room, as well as drafts. This negatively affects the surface, which dries unevenly. To get rid of possible cracks, it will not be superfluous to apply special additives to the solution, which are abundant in the assortment in hardware stores.

It should be noted that the complete drying of the screed under any circumstances is achieved only a month after the end of the work. It is important to comply with the care requirements. Depending on the floor covering, work on its flooring can begin after a week and a half. In any case, you need to carefully monitor the condition and moisture content of the sub-floor surface.

After that, there will hardly be questions about which is better - a semi-dry or ordinary floor screed. The positive qualities of the mechanized method of laying mortar incline to its side. Also of no small importance is the ease of installation and little knowledge in the construction industry. True, the basic requirements and nuances should be observed constantly and adhere to the semi-dry screed technology.

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