Modern repair involves the alignment of not only walls, ceilings, but also floors. In the latter case, you can not do without a screed.
What is a floor screed?
Many who have not encountered a repair in their life ask this question. The floor screed is a layer of mortar, which is applied to the base of the floor. As a rule, tiles or some other types of coating are laid on top of the screed. An exception is industrial buildings, where this layer of mortar serves as a topcoat.
The floor screed can be laid both exactly horizontally and at an angle. In the latter case, this is usually done under the drain of water. It is worth noting that a screed under the warm floor is not excluded here.
This leveling method helps not only raise the floor level to the desired level, but also increase the thermal and waterproofing. In addition, if you started a repair in the bathroom, then using this simple method you have a unique opportunity to hide all communications in the floor.
Particularly noteworthy is the floor screed under the warm floor.
What is it for?
As a rule, it is done in cases where it is necessary to perfectly level the surface. For example, during the construction of multi-storey buildings, concrete floor slabs are laid in such a way that their smooth sides become ceilings, and those that have all kinds of flaws or protruding fittings become floors. And everyone understands that in this case it is impossible to lay the finish floor covering (linoleum, laminate, and so on).
Recently, floor screed for underfloor heating is in great demand . This variant of the surface on which we walk creates comfortable living conditions. Thanks to the heating elements or pipes hidden under a layer of building material, heat enters the room.
You can talk about the benefits of a warm floor for a long time. Let's look at what types of screeds are suitable in this case.
Varieties
If you keep up with the times, then without a warm floor you probably can not do. But on what type of screed to stop? Indeed, the question is very relevant. Indeed, today in construction stores you can find a wide variety of these mixtures. Let's talk about each of them.
- The wet look of the screed is the strongest base under the floor. In most cases, it is used in industrial premises. The final result requires more than one day. Such a solution dries for a very long time. Its only plus is its low price.
- A semi-dry type of screed is more popular in apartments. It consists of a large amount of sand and little water, which allows the solution to quickly harden.
- The dry look of the screed is universal. From the name it is clear that during its installation, water is not used. The floor is leveled with a special dry mixture, on which sheets of plywood are then laid.
- The self-leveling type of screed, or self-leveling floor , is applied to the floor, then it is distributed evenly over its surface.
Now you see how many types the floor screed is divided into. Under the heated floor, according to experts, the last three options are more suitable.
Which is better to choose?
The screed under the warm floor should be not only smooth, but also ideal. The operation of the built-in heating elements under the cement layer depends on its quality. We have already mentioned that the best solution for underfloor heating is a dry, semi-dry and self-leveling look.
The screed under the underfloor heating must withstand constant temperature changes, be durable and have high thermal conductivity, so experts agreed that the semi-dry mixture is the ideal option in this situation. It is also worth noting that the application of this solution is quick and easy. For its complete solidification, a day is needed. Therefore, after 24-30 hours it is already possible to finish the floor.
You can also make a warm floor under a dry screed. But in this case, the fixing sheets must be made of concrete material.
Screed floor heating scheme
A high-quality screed under a warm water floor involves not only the knowledge and skill of its installation, but also the use of modern materials. We emphasize that this applies not only to the solution itself, but also to heat-insulating materials. So, before you start installing a warm floor, make sure that you have the following: mounting mats, heating pipe, collector system, water boiler, automation system, insulation tape and material for the screed.
The first thing to put under the screed is insulation tape. It has good heat and sound insulation. Heat-insulating mats with guiding water pipes are laid on it, next to which the main correctly assembled heating pipe passes.
This is the work of installing a warm floor. After all of the above items are completed, the water floor system can be filled with mortar.
How to cook a semi-dry mixture yourself?
You can cook it yourself. To do this, you need to purchase Portland cement (grade 400) and clean river sand. In addition, you will need water, a container in which you will mix the solution, a trowel and a small shovel. Today, professional builders recommend adding fibrous fiber to the screed, which is an analogue of reinforcement.
So, mix all dry ingredients until smooth and add water until the solution sticks to a lump. The lump should keep its shape, and moisture in this case should not stand out from it.
Do-it-yourself installation of screed on the water floor
As we have already said, the screed under the underfloor heating electric or water is laid according to the “semi-dry screed” technology. For greater strength, 1 liter of plasticizer is added per 1 cubic meter of mortar . You can get acquainted with more detailed dosage information on the screed packaging.
Reinforcement of a semi-dry screed is carried out with polypropylene fiber (from 13 to 20 mm). As a rule, it is supplied to the installation site by a pneumatic heater.
Due to the fact that this type of solution contains a minimal amount of water, it dries very quickly. Therefore, a semi-dry floor screed under a warm floor should be done at an accelerated pace. Please note that the solution should adhere well to the base. Otherwise, after a short time, your screed will swell. The thickness of the screed under the underfloor heating should not exceed 4 centimeters. Only in this case you can prevent this problem. If there is a need to raise the floor level, first pour a layer of expanded clay or fill the surface with expanded clay concrete, after which already apply a semi-dry mixture to it and level it.