What Are The Disadvantages When Using A Semi-dry Screed

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

• Concept
• The main cons
• Winter work
• Self-execution
• Conclusion

The floor screed is necessary in order to make a high-quality and even "rough" version of the floor, for subsequent flooring of any kind of floor covering. It can be used in almost any environment, in workshops, floors in garages, apartments or houses. The most popular is the semi-dry concrete screed, which is gaining more and more popularity in the construction industry every day.

Concept

Due to the technology of semi-dry screed, the base acquires greater strength and becomes as flat as possible. In the future, it is not necessary to carry out any measures to prepare it for the flooring of the floor covering. This saves not only time, but also money. It should also be noted that the drying time of the finished solution is reduced compared to the "wet" version.

Sand, cement, and fibers for reinforcement are distinguished as a component of a semi-dry screed.

In the latter case, fiber fibers are distinguished, which have better qualities than steel mesh. Each of the materials gives the finished base a large number of positive aspects. Such a screed is very important in the case when the floor slabs have been in operation for a long time, in old buildings, as well as on a wooden base. The finished weight of a semi-dry screed is insignificant and practically does not create any load. Reinforcing fibers, which merge together and practically dissolve in the mixture, manifest themselves especially here. Their mass is minimal and generally not perceptible in comparison with metal elements.

But it is worth paying attention to the fact that the use of a semi-dry screed will not always bring only advantages in use. Certain negative manifestations may also stand out.

The main cons

The main disadvantages of the floor screed device, created from a semi-dry mixture, are closely related to the technology of work. If the steps are not performed sequentially and in violation of the requirements, then quality cannot be achieved. The floor screed also shows disadvantages when using low-quality material. It is important to introduce special equipment into work.

But this requires additional financial costs, even if the equipment is rented. Has a semi-dry floor screed disadvantages:

1. For a high-quality installation of the screed, it will not be superfluous to use special equipment: a mortar pump, a pneumatic blower, a damper, trowels and much more. In addition, they have a sufficient number of related devices and little things, which also causes a waste of funds. Uniformity is very difficult to achieve when all components are manually mixed.
2. The finished screed should be protected from moisture or excess moisture in the room. She is very afraid of this. The fact is that in this version of the floor device, the process of cement hydration did not reach the very end. As soon as drops of water fall on it, it begins to swell. This process will cause surface cracks to appear.

3. Creaks may appear due to the fact that after laying a semi-dry screed, it will be incompletely tamped.

   

   Destruction cannot be ruled out here either. This most often occurs after the floor has been laid. To eliminate such errors in work, it will be necessary not only to disassemble the floor, but also to dismantle the screed itself.

4. Due to its low self-compaction capacity, a semi-dry screed must have a minimum thickness of 40 mm in the finished base. The best option would be a thickness of 5 cm. Moreover, a thin layer will be very fragile, not reliable for later use.

Winter work

Carrying out work on the device of a semi-dry screed, disadvantages arise due to temperature fluctuations. In winter, installation is almost unrealistic. This is due to the fact that all equipment and materials are located outdoors, and only after mixing are fed into the room.

Sand in sub-zero temperatures begins to freeze, stick together into lumps. It also becomes very difficult to feed the finished solution through the hoses, as it begins to freeze and create a lump. The plugs that appear must be removed and removed in various ways.

This is why they come up with various options to “cover” the entire technological process and give it sufficient temperatures. A room is being built, which is additionally heated. Such nuances allow you to perform all types of work, even at significant negative temperatures, which reach -25 degrees.

Self-execution

To perform a semi-dry screed on the floor, you should have at least a minimum amount of knowledge and experience in the work. But here you should take into account the fact that everything must be done immediately, until the mortar sets. That is, after pouring, almost immediately it is necessary to start leveling, tamping and subsequently grouting, grinding. If you miss more than 6 hours, then nothing will change. Consequently, you will get a substandard flooring base.

This can be helped by specialized equipment, which is a concrete mixer, mixer, pneumatic blower and much more. Each of them requires an investment of finance, even if you just rent it. Ordinary construction crews are unlikely to take up work if there is no such special equipment.

But construction companies and firms specializing in semi-dry screed, on the contrary, will perform the work from start to finish and will charge a certain fee for their services.

Each technological stage must be followed in full. It is impossible to deviate from the proportions of creating a solution, since the weight of a semi-dry screed will increase, and all positive qualities will be lost. Excess water will manifest itself in the near future. True, the flooring will already be laid, which will have to be removed.

Conclusion

In order for the "rough" version of the floor to be made efficiently and to be even, one should adhere to the technology. In addition, it will not be superfluous to use equipment for work. This will not only save time, but also provide excellent results.

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