How to Prepare your Floor for Liquid Screed?

We are established screed and underfloor heating experts based in the West Midlands. There are a number of steps that you must take which prepares the floor for screeding. Our team are experienced and qualified to apply liquid screed. Preparation is key when it comes to laying a liquid screed, so here’s our guide:

Measuring the amount of screed

It’s very crucial that you use the correct amount of screed, here at Central Flow Screed we provide the perfect number of mixed batches with no inconsistencies. This prevents you from wasting money if there’s too much screed whilst reducing the need to dispose of excess screed.

Removing debris and lay insulation

It is important to make sure that the area to be screeded is made watertight, removing all dust and debris from the floor beforehand. Then if you’re adding insulation, this should be done below the waterproofing membrane.

Laying the watertight membrane

You can use a polyethylene sheeting which will create a waterproof membrane. This prevents all leaking of the screed when pumped in. It’s recommended to use 1000 gauge or thicker. The polyethylene should be curled up at the edge of the area to be screeded and stuck to the wall. Make sure all joints are taped.

Waterproof Shuttering

You’ll need to work around obstacles and troublesome pipe work so that water doesn’t get to them. Where this is shuttering, such as across doorways, you can seal with mastic or expanding foam so that it’s watertight.

Securing Underfloor heating pipes

If you are using underfloor heating, it’s important to secure the pipes or trays inside the polyethylene. Generally, the clips are self-sealing, it’s important that nothing is able to float up when the liquid screed is poured.

Now that you’ve sealed and made the area watertight you are now ready to pour the screed. It’s recommended to fill the underfloor heating pipes to stop them from floating up in the liquid screed.

If you have any further questions or enquiries, please contact out specialists today!

01527 337023