Screeding a floor!! - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

Jeffinoz · 04-09-2007

Starting a job on Monday doing a bathroom the floor is about 6m2 but i have to screed it first. I think the mix is 3 sand to 1 cement with a dryish mix is this right?
Has anyone on here done it before if so can you give me any advice.
Also can I tile on this after 4 days?

Jeffinoz

**Dave** · 04-09-2007

hi jeff use sharp sand and cement..mix with about 30% water so its quiet dry in consistency but with enough moisture to set...use a straight edge to screed with....
An easy way is to use copper tube in long lengths and set at the desired screed height..just set them in screed...then put screed down spread about taking care not to knock the poles..then screed back with straight edge on top of the poles. this will give you a nice flat floor..once set remove poles and infill the channels with screed using your float....for fast track tiling use a green screed adhesive........hope this is clear enough for you to understand....its a similar method to what block pavers use when screeding there sand beds for blocking..............dave..

Jeffinoz · 04-09-2007

Thanks Dave.
How do you no what the diference in sand is? what is sharp sand like? this guy has a pile of sand out the back that the builders were using will this be OK to use.

Jeff

GazTech · 04-09-2007

[quote=Jeffinoz;24203]Thanks Dave.
How do you no what the diference in sand is? what is sharp sand like? this guy has a pile of sand out the back that the builders were using will this be OK to use.

Jeff[/quote]The builders stuff should be sharp sand mate,if it has loads of crap in it its rough sand avoid that,sharp stuff is gritty but is all sand no pebbles straw etc

**Dave** · 05-09-2007

sharp sand is brown in colour and has a gritty like texture..building sand is yellow sand and soft in texture.....dave.....

charlie1 · 05-09-2007

hi there,

dont want to sound ignorant but whats up with just pouring some self levelling compound on to the floor, work in to corners with float and leave to set.
would this not give you a perfectly flat sub floor?

05-09-2007

hi woody

self levelling liquids are ok upto a certain depth. a sand and cement floor screed starts fro a min of 50mm (well its supposed to) so theres obviously a depth issue. i know there are self levellers that go upto 55mm and above but the cost would be suicidal compared to sand and cement, especially since the materials are there on the job already.

jeff in oz, dont forget to dampen the floor 1st with water and to use a slurry mix of water, pva and cement..brush this over the surface of the floor before you start.
also another tip, for the amount you are doing, mix by hand, it sticks to the inside of the mixer otherwise and spread 25mm down evenly across the whole floor before you start. this will enable you to compact the first 25mm and you wont get the slurry all over your feet as you work..set your screeds down either side as dave says and fill in, compact and rub up as you go along...

regards
ed