New kitchen floor

[MattW]

First post, so hi all!

I have searched but can't find anything that really answers this question, so here goes...

We have just had a new kitchen extension built with the adjoining wall removed giving us a large square kitchen, half 'new' and half existing. The new bit has a concrete floor (100mm concrete on 100mm insulation on 100mm hardcore with dpm each side of the insulation with an allowance for a 50mm screed). It was originally planned to leave the old part of the floor in place (100mm concrete on dpm on earth) but I've had second thoughts and am in the process of digging this out to replicate the new floor. When I've finished this floor I'll get the whole floor screeded (50mm).

The trouble is that we need to allow the concrete floor to dry before we can get a tiler in to tile it (quarry tiles) and from what I've read, this will be about 6 months. Now we can't be without our kitchen for 6 more months (currently 'camping' in the garage!).

Would it be normal (or acceptable) to get the kitchen fitted onto the screed with some sort of temporary permeable flooring and then get tiled in 6 months time after the concrete has dried (tiled to just behind the plinths)? Or would the screed end up getting too damaged for tiling?

We're in a bit of a quandry here but we really need to get the kitchen installed and useable as soon as possible. Any advice appreciated.
ta
Matt

[grumpygrouter]

Once your concrete/screed has "set" ie it can be walked on, you can lay durabase or Ditra matting and then tile on top. This does not stop the concrete/screed from drying fully or the curing process so will give a fast track installation.

[bluesky]

ditra is the way to beat the time problem - just a little bit extra cost - good luck

[MattW]

Great stuff - thanks for the help guys!

[Ajax123]

Could also use an Epoxy Damp Proof Membrane if you don't want to decouple. These are probably a bit cheaper than decoupling mats and very effective on concrete. Generally they can be used as early as you can walk on the concrete without leaving footmarks.

Alternatively I have heard of Green Screed adhesives - I am sure the tilers on the forrum will be able to say if these are suitable

Plenty of options available.....

[Dave]

Schluters Ditra is a great product...

here's some info for you...



Schlüter-Systems UK Homepage +44 (0) 1530 813396 - Schlüter-Systems


Schlüter-DITRA is a polyethylene membrane with a grid structure of square cavities, each cut back in a dovetail configuration, and an anchoring fleece laminated to its underside. Designed for tile and natural stone installations, Schlüter-DITRA serves as a waterproofing membrane, a vapour pressure equalisation layer to accommodate moisture occurring at the underside of the substrate, and an uncoupling layer for problematic substrates.

The substrate must be even and load bearing. To bond Schlüter-DITRA, use a bonding adhesive that is appropriate for the substrate. Apply the adhesive using a 3 x 3 mm or 4 x 4 mm notched trowel. The anchoring fleece on the underside of Schlüter-DITRA must be fully engaged in the adhesive to provide a mechanical bond to the substrate. Please observe the open time of the bonding adhesive.

Using the thin-bed method and following all applicable industry standards, set the tile or stone covering directly on the Schlüter-DITRA in such a way that the tile adhesive becomes mechanically anchored in the square, cut back cavities of the Schlüter-DITRA matting.

Summary of Functions

a) Uncoupling
Schlüter-DITRA uncouples the floor covering from the substrate and neutralises the tensions between the substrate and the tile covering that result from the varying deformations of the materials. Likewise, stress cracks in the substrate are bridged and are, therefore, not transferred to the surface covering.

b) Waterproofing
Schlüter-DITRA is a waterproof polyethylene membrane with a relatively high vapour diffusion density. Provided the joints, floor/wall connections, and connections to building fixtures are properly installed, Schlüter-DITRA creates a waterproofing assembly with the tile covering that meets the requirements of the mandatory guideline ?Recommendations on Waterproofing in Conjunction with Panelling and Tile and Paver Coverings in Interior and Exterior Applications,? published by the German Construction Industry Association (ZDB).
If the material requires an official permit from German authorities, the corresponding test certificate is available and may be requested.
Thus, Schlüter-DITRA protects the substrate against damage due to moisture penetration and aggressive substances.

c) Equalisation of vapour pressure
The interconnected air channels between the cavities on the underside of the Schlüter-DITRA matting remain open. This allows moisture in the substrate to evaporate, thus neutralising vapour pressure.

d) Load distribution (load impact)
The bottom of the square cavities in Schlüter-DITRA, which are filled with thin-bed adhesive, directly transfer the load impact on the tile covering to the substrate. As a consequence, tile coverings installed on top of Schlüter-DITRA are highly load resistant. If high traffic loads are expected (e.g. in industrial locations), the tiles selected for the installation must be of the corresponding thickness and pressure stability. The requirements of the mandatory guideline ?Ceramic Floor Coverings With High Impact Resistance,? published by the German Construction Industry Association (ZDB) must be followed. In areas with high impact loads, the tiles must be fully embedded in the thin-bed adhesive. The contact surface of Schlüter-DITRA amounts to approximately 50% of the total surface. This can reduce the load bearing capacity in case of point loads. For high point loads, select a tile thickness that is capable of distributing the loads. Ceramic tile coverings should not be exposed to the direct impact of hard objects. The tile dimensions should be at least 50 mm x 50 mm.

e) Adhesive properties
Due to the bonding of the anchoring fleece into the thin-bed adhesive on the underside and the mechanical anchoring of the adhesive in the cut back cavities, Schlüter-DITRA achieves a good adhesion of the tile covering to the substrate (laboratory test values: ~ 0.25N/mm2). Consequently, Schlüter-DITRA can be used for wall and floor coverings. Anchor plugs may be used with wall coverings if necessary.