Checking that the floor screed has dried properly is one of the most important steps in installing a new floor. It’s crucial to get this step right because the final quality and longevity of your flooring can be greatly impacted by the drying time of a floor screed.
Determining the drying time of a floor screed is contingent upon several factors, such as the kind of screed utilized, the layer’s thickness, and the surrounding environmental circumstances. By being aware of these variables, you can better plan your project and steer clear of typical problems brought on by early installation.
This post will discuss the various kinds of floor screeds, when they should be dried, and useful advice on how to make sure your screed is completely dry before moving on to the next flooring project step. Regardless of your level of experience, this guide will offer insightful advice to help you get the greatest results.
Condition | Drying Time |
---|---|
Standard conditions (20°C, 50% humidity) | 7 days per centimeter of screed thickness |
High humidity or low temperature | Longer than 7 days per centimeter |
Fast-drying screed | 24-48 hours |
Use of additives | Varies, typically faster |
- Why is it important to dry the solution layer completely?
- Why drying cannot be artificially accelerated
- What conditions must be ensured
- How long does a layer of gypsum mortar dry
- How to speed up the drying process of a floor screed?
- How long does a cement screed dry
- What affects the drying speed of the screed
- Adding expanded clay and other dry mixtures
- Use of plasticizer
- The effect of waterproofing on the drying rate
- How to control the end of drying
- Video on the topic
- How long does it take for a floor screed to dry, how does a floor screed gain strength after pouring?.
- How long does it take for floor screed to dry?? Rules for caring for semi-dry screed.
- How long should the floor screed dry before laying the laminate?. How to avoid cracks in screed.
Why is it important to dry the solution layer completely?
Many tenants are forced to vacate their apartments during renovations, which causes them great discomfort. I want the repairs completed quickly and effectively so that I can get back home sooner. It is crucial to recognize when expediting the process is feasible and when it is not.
Wet screeds can take up to 25 days to dry, and concrete bases take the longest. It’s critical that the floor dries fully because an incompletely dry surface can result in:
- deformation;
- formation of cracks;
- shrinkage.
Inadequate drying of the floor can cause rot and damage to laminate and parquet flooring, as well as adversely affect the floor covering. The tile will not be firmly fixed if it is laid on a dry screed because the adhesive composition will be impacted by the residual moisture.
Why drying cannot be artificially accelerated
High-quality drying requires the base mixture to dry naturally—that is, without the aid of artificial agents that hasten the drying process. This is because a complete stage of surface adhesion rather than the evaporation of water from the solution causes the drying of concrete or cement screed. Although this requires a significant amount of time, the outcomes speak for themselves.
The screed’s surface is wetted with water in the early days to ensure proper drying of the surface. High temperatures and homemade drafts can lead to base cracking. It is strictly prohibited to begin any further work until the base coating has dried completely.
What conditions must be ensured
Many people who do home repairs on their own are concerned about the question: "What is needed for a floor screed in an apartment?» The materials have been purchased, the screed has been poured, and what needs to be done next to ensure reliable and complete hardening of the base. At this stage, it is very important to create the right conditions in the room.
The following variables impact the intended microclimate in the space:
- absence of drafts;
- absence of direct sunlight for the first 7-10 days;
- absence of sudden temperature changes;
- prevention of freezing of the screed.
High humidity levels and room temperatures cause the drying process to sluggishly proceed. The ideal room temperature and humidity range are 22–24 °C and 60–70%, respectively. For the first seven to ten days, the floor is covered with polyethylene film if the air humidity is less than 50%.
How long does a layer of gypsum mortar dry
The quick drying time of gypsum floor screeds is one of their advantages. After installation, the gypsum surface sets in three to four hours, and it fully dries in a week. Nonetheless, it is important to realize that a week is a typical amount appropriate for a base with a standard thickness of 4 cm.
The worker determines on their own how many hours are needed to dry a particular gypsum screed. Thus, it takes 168 hours for a 4 cm gypsum coating to dry. Ninety more hours are added for every centimeter of solution after that.
Calculating the total drying time of a 7 cm thick gypsum screed example:
3 cm times 90 hours times 168 hours equals 168 hours plus 270 hours, or 438 hours.
18:25 days, or 19 days, are equal to 438 hours / 24 hours.
Nineteen days after pouring, a 7 cm thick gypsum screed will have completely evaporated its moisture.
For any flooring to be installed on top of a floor screed, the drying period is essential to guaranteeing a sturdy and stable surface. The normal drying time for a standard cement screed is one day for every millimeter of thickness; however, this can vary depending on the type of screed, temperature, and humidity. To ensure a strong foundation for your floor, you must be patient and provide the right conditions. Rushing the process can result in cracks, unevenness, and other problems.
How to speed up the drying process of a floor screed?
There’s no need to expedite the moisture’s evaporation from the surface if the master wants a sturdy and high-grade floor base. As previously indicated, establish the appropriate microclimate in the space. It is recommended that the room temperature not drop below 5 °C. This is the lowest temperature at which the floor base maintains its desired configuration without degrading.
For the first week, the surface can be covered with polyethylene film to guarantee that it dries evenly and gradually. Sawdust can be applied to the base during the second and third weeks to prevent excessive moisture evaporation and to improve the uniformity and efficiency of drying.
How long does a cement screed dry
Knowing how long a cement floor should cure is crucial because cement is frequently applied during home repairs. A floor surface composed of a cement-sand mixture takes a lot longer to dry than a gypsum base.
Factors influencing a cement screed’s drying time include:
- thickness of the floor base;
- the presence of quick-drying fillers in the screed;
- quality of the waterproofing base.
There is still a lot of water in the cement layer’s pores, despite the fact that inexperienced specialists may believe that after a week the cement mixture has fully dried and is prepared for applying the finishing coating. The waterproofing material only permits water to pass through the base’s surface; if parquet or laminate is installed beforehand, the coating will become deformed as a result.
It takes seven days for a 1 cm thick layer of cement to dry completely. Cement-sand screed 4 cm thick will therefore dry in just 28 days. Twelve to fourteen days are added for every centimeter of such screed that is added.
What affects the drying speed of the screed
The residents of the premises frequently find it inconvenient to wait for the screed on the floor to dry. Special quick-drying screeds with extra thinners, resins, and polymer additives were developed to expedite the drying process. They are either added right before pouring the floor or beforehand to the main components. You can navigate the poured base more quickly because of their quicker setting time. However, it should be remembered that it will also take a while for them to dry completely. The packaging of quick-drying screed contains information about its full drying process.
Adding expanded clay and other dry mixtures
You can use expanded clay to create a semi-dry screed by pouring the floor using expanded clay granules or expanded clay crushed stone. It insulates the floor, hardens more quickly, and doesn’t grow mold because it doesn’t need a lot of water.
Besides expanded clay, you can also use:
- fiber;
- polystyrene foam particles.
Utilizing fiber is a relatively new modern technology that hasn’t yet gained widespread acceptance or popularity. The semi-dry method of cement screed takes 12 hours to fully harden, but the final result is the same as with traditional wet poured screed.
Use of plasticizer
A plasticizer is a unique substance that increases the strength of cement stone. It lessens the amount of liquid and mortar used by increasing the mixture’s plasticity and fluidity.
The base’s drying period is shortened by two days when a plasticizer is used while pouring the screed. It’s important to read the information on the packaging because different plasticizers have different purposes. Some shorten the setting time, while others make the solution more flexible or resistant to frost.
The effect of waterproofing on the drying rate
Because poorly executed work will cause the floor screed to dry out more quickly, extra care should be taken when waterproofing the sub-base. It is preferable to apply roll materials in multiple layers in a checkerboard pattern for waterproofing. This will keep moisture out of the future floor base. It is imperative to consider that the waterproofing should extend a minimum of 15-20 centimeters up the walls of the room.
The first floor’s rooms receive special consideration. Poor quality waterproofing will be greatly impacted by ground moisture, which may cause the floor screed to distort.
How to control the end of drying
In order to gauge the floor screed’s complete drying, the construction industry has developed specialized instruments. It makes no sense to purchase such pricey electronic moisture meters for home repairs.
Using a napkin, you can determine whether the screed has dried completely at home. After positioning it on the base’s surface and covering it with plastic film that is secured on all sides, it is left for a day. Once the napkin has been checked and found to be dry, you can move on to the last floor covering.
Any building or renovation project requires an understanding of the floor screed’s drying time. Hurrying the process can result in problems with the final flooring material’s adhesion, uneven surfaces, or cracking. A screed should generally be allowed enough time to dry; the precise amount of time will depend on a number of factors, including thickness, composition, and environmental conditions.
As a general guideline, give one day for drying for every millimeter of screed thickness, up to a maximum of 40mm. Additional drying time may be required for thicker screeds. To promote even drying, it’s also critical to maintain ideal temperature and humidity levels, as well as adequate ventilation.
Before continuing with additional work, always consult the manufacturer’s instructions and, if in doubt, verify the screed’s dryness with a moisture meter. Being patient during the drying process can guarantee a stable and long-lasting floor and help avoid long-term issues.