If you can create a flat floor in the room, then it will be possible to lay on it any finish coating. In addition, it is not necessary to grind the surface, which will save time and effort. However, traditional technologies do not always achieve the desired result. In this case, you can use the technology of mechanized screed. This method involves the use of a semi-dry technique, with which you can get the best result using a minimum amount of equipment and people, which is especially true when compared with a liquid screed.
What is a mechanized screed
The floor screed in a mechanized way allows you to prepare a rough coating for laying the finish layer. Despite the fact that wet screed is still traditional today, it has many disadvantages, among them:
- long drying period;
- the need to use large amounts of water;
- geometry change during shrinkage;
- the likelihood of cracking in the material.
Wet screed is quite laborious when laying, because most operations have to be performed manually. This is not always convenient. If you want to level the floor of a large area, it is better to use technology that makes it easier to work and speed up the laying of the building mixture.
The mechanized screed allows you to shift most of the operations to machines, which affects the reduction of labor intensity and duration of work. The floor screed in a mechanized way does not involve the use of a classic wet mortar. The process uses a semi-dry mixture of cement and sand. Water in this case is added to a minimum - exclusively for cement hydration. Semi-dry screed is not laid manually, but with the help of machines.
Components Used and Layer Thickness
For laying a semi-dry screed, the following ingredients are used:
- sand;
- cement;
- fiberglass;
- plasticizer;
- water.
When choosing sand, you should prefer one whose elements have a diameter of up to 5 mm. Cement can have a brand from M-400 to M-500. The maximum thickness of the stacked layer is 8 cm. This is enough to hide in the thickness of the communication, namely:
- water or heating pipes;
- underfloor heating systems;
- electrical wiring.
Description of technology: mechanisms used
If you decide to equip the floor screed in a mechanized way, you should know what mechanisms are used in the process. The technology provides for high automation and the use of construction equipment, which is necessary for mixing components and their supply to the installation site. At the final stage, the surface is rubbed and polished.
The solution is prepared before starting work on the site. For kneading, a pneumatic blower is needed, which performs the functions of a concrete pump and mixer. The ingredients are loaded into the tank and mixed, and then served under the influence of compressed air to the place of laying. The feed is carried out using a dense rubber hose, the diameter of which can be equal to a figure from 50 to 65 mm. The power of the pump allows you to feed the mixture horizontally up to 180 mm. Vertical feed is also possible, however, the height will be less and will be 100 m, which is equal to the height of 30 floors.
To lay the floor screed in a mechanized way, a pneumatic blower is installed near the house, and the main components and additives are stored nearby. The ingredients are mixed outside the building, it is not necessary to bring them into the house and raise them to the floor. The mixture is delivered to the site through hoses. At the same time, the room remains relatively clean, lumps of mortar and building dust are not formed there.
Features of the work
After laying and leveling the mortar, the rule is when the use of another mechanism, the grinding disc machine, is appropriate. As its working element, a grinding disk acts. Using it, grouting, sealing of the screed, as well as the elimination of shells and voids, is carried out. The humidity of the mixture is minimal, therefore, the leveling of the screed is carried out almost immediately after its installation. For this, grinding machines are used, which come into operation 2 hours after the mixture is fed into place.
The technological process does not stop. As a result of the operation of the technique, the surface becomes perfectly smooth - without shells and tubercles. The mechanized screed does not need additional alignment with sheet materials or bulk mixtures. The base is completely suitable for laying any finishing coating, even one that is sensitive to the slightest bumps, this should include piece parquet and laminate.
The main advantages of semi-dry screed
Semi-dry mechanized screeding has many advantages. Among others, rapid hardening should be highlighted. For mixing, the minimum volume of water that evaporates after completion of work is used. Only 2 hours after installation, workers in special shoes can move on the surface. This is required for grouting the substrate, which saves time on the process.
Already after a day in ordinary shoes you can move on a semi-dry screed, while after 5 days tiles or linoleum can be laid on the surface. After 10 days, you can proceed with the installation of parquet and laminate, as well as other materials that are not resistant to surface moisture.
Another advantage of the semi-dry screed technology in a mechanized way is the absence of shrinkage cracks. The mixture contains a small amount of water, which positively affects the quality of the floor. When the liquid evaporates, the mixture shrinks, which causes cracks. In a semi-dry mixture there is very little water, this reduces the risk of cracking. Against this, polypropylene fiber also works, which is one of the required components in the screed.
Fiber is small polypropylene fibers that are evenly distributed over the material and bind the particles into a single whole. The screed is fibrous, so it does not crack.
Reviews on the high speed of work
Due to the fact that high-performance machines are used in working with a semi-dry screed, there are no technological downtime. Consumers, in their words, often compare this technology with the classic manual alternative. In the case of the first for a shift, you can lay about 150 m 2 semi-dry screed with 6 people. This suggests that in the apartment in just one day you can prepare the floor for the installation of the finish coating.
Using wet technology, this takes about 7 days, because it requires kneading and transportation of the solution. Consumers emphasize that the wet screed has yet to be laid, removed beacons, and also wipe the surface.
Screed evenness reviews
In the wet state, the mechanized screed is sanded with trowel disc machines. As a result, it is possible to obtain a flat and smooth surface. According to consumers, it is suitable for laying any finishing material, such as:
- parquet;
- linoleum;
- tiles;
- laminate flooring;
- cork coating.
Home masters claim that the roughness can be as little as 2 mm by 3 m.
Main disadvantages
The price of floor screed in a mechanized way is one of the disadvantages of this technology. Another disadvantage is the need to use mechanisms that are quite expensive. It is impossible to independently implement a device of such a rough coating. Although it is possible to purchase or rent specialized equipment, it is too expensive for one-time work. You need to be able to handle the equipment, and only professional workers can do it.
The disadvantage is that professional organizations often take exceptionally large areas into their work. If you want to lay the floor in the apartment, you will have to look for partners to order. To do this, many cooperate with neighbors, so that the company is engaged in laying screed in several apartments.
Cost of work
If you plan to do the described work, then you should be interested in the price of a semi-dry floor screed in a mechanized way. Sometimes it depends on the area. If it is less than 100 m 2 , then the price per square meter will be equal to 35,000 rubles. The cost is indicated without materials. If the area is equal to the limit of 100 to 200 m 2 , then the price per square meter will be 300 rubles, with materials - 480 rubles. The prices mentioned are true for St. Petersburg.
But if you want to order the production of floor screed mechanized in Krasnodar, the price will be different. For one square meter you will have to pay 200 rubles. The larger the area, the lower the cost. With an increase in the machined surface, the floor screed in Krasnodar is cheaper mechanized. The price may drop to 120 rubles. per square meter.
Finally
Mechanized screed has recently become more and more popular, but mainly in industrial conditions, where the surface area is quite large. Considering the main disadvantages of the technology of semi-dry floor screed, you can note for yourself that in a normal apartment the installation of such a coating may be impossible, because companies undertake only a large amount of work.