Concrete Floor

[george1319]

Hi Guys

Going to look at a job tomorrow to tile kitchen/utility room floor.It is a new build and the customer says he thinks substrate is concrete....Am I right in thinking he will have to wait approx 6wks before he can tile onto this?Also ok to tile straight to the concrete after priming or would it be better to use hardibacker etc.

Cheers

[whitebeam]

What tiles are you laying..

[andy allen]

hi george,

the screed will take about 1mm per day to dry so it depends how thick the screed is, you can buy adhesives to tile on to screeds that aren't fully dry, one iv'e used is bal green screed, but it is very expensive, just prim and tile no need for hardi, might be worth checking its not a gyvlon screed, that would require more prep work, also check theres no underfloor heating or that would need to be commisioned.

[george1319]

Don't know yet whitebeam.They haven't even moved in yet!Just going to measure up but I want to know i'm giving correct advice!

[george1319]

Andy
How can I check if it's gyvlon screed?What sort of additional prep work would be required?

[paul flight]

why would you want to fix hardie backer on to a concrete floor???
prime it tile it
if underfloor heating ditra mat it first .you can fix ditra to a screed that has down for a few weeks..

[andy allen]

gyvlon screeds are pumped in, the client should know if its gyvlon, or screed, if it is gyvlon then the floor needs to be sanded to remove the laitence, 2 coats of primer, and a suitable adhesive needs to be used........best to check what it is first then we can advise you more from there..

[doug boardley]

how long has the screed been down and what thickness is it?

[george1319]

Cheers Guys

Paul-Don't know why I thought Hardi for a concrete floor

Andy,Doug- I'll try to find out tomorrow and re-post when I have more info

[Dave]

Andy
How can I check if it's gyvlon screed?What sort of additional prep work would be required?

You simply ask what substrate it is, they will know if they got it done..

there is totally different advice to give if either substrate and it will be quicker for us if you check and then report back..

[george1319]

Hi Guys

I managed to get access to the plot today along with various other trades.I asked the site supervisor what concrete the floor was and he wasn't really sure!The surface is really smooth and it was laid around 4 months ago if that's any help.

Cheers

[Ajax123]

Any pics or can you see into the cross section of the concrete at all?

[george1319]

Hi Ajax

No pics unfortunately and can't see into the cross section

[Dave]

Are there any expansion joints and if so how far apart.?

[george1319]

Dave

No expansion joints that I could see

[Dave]

None in the doors ways..?

And what colour would you say the screed was..?

[george1319]

Dave

There could have been expansion joint in the doorway but I didn't notice...the screed is a very light grey and is very smooth

[Dave]

OK...

You really do need to find out what type it is... cement based or anhydrite etc..

[whitebeam]

Might be worth asking if it's been self leveled as well...

[bobbynz]

Hi Guys

I managed to get access to the plot today along with various other trades.I asked the site supervisor what concrete the floor was and he wasn't really sure!The surface is really smooth and it was laid around 4 months ago if that's any help.

Cheers

The site supervisor doesn't know what the slab is?!!! i wont comment on that but the slab didn't just appear by itself so somebody must know and that should be the site supervisor or the concrete layers themselves . I would think that the supervisor must have documentation as to who layed the slab for building consent purposes at least.
Ask him again for this info, you can't really proceed until you do as per the previous comments

[george1319]

Hi Guys

Just spoken to the saleswoman who asked site supervisor...He said it's not screeded....just concrete slab!As I said it was laid 4months ago so should be ok to tile on after two coats of primer?

Cheers

[whitebeam]

Is it a polished slab and you want to check how flat it is..

[george1319]

I checked for dips & hollows when I went to look at the job & it's really good.Dont think its polished