At Flo Pro, we pride ourselves on being experts in screeding and underfloor heating, serving clients across Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, and beyond. Proper preparation is essential for successfully applying liquid screed. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get your floor ready:
Accurate Screed Measurement
One of the first and most important steps in floor preparation is ensuring you have the correct amount of screed. At Flo Pro, we specialise in delivering precisely mixed batches of liquid screed, ensuring consistency throughout the project. By measuring accurately, you can avoid both the waste of excess screed and the unnecessary costs of ordering too much.
Clearing Debris and Installing Insulation
Before you begin, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean the floor area. Remove all dust, debris, and any loose materials to ensure a smooth application. If your project includes insulation, it should be installed beneath the waterproofing membrane. This ensures the insulation is properly protected and provides a stable base for the screed.
Applying the Watertight Membrane
A key step in preparing your floor is laying down a waterproof membrane to prevent the liquid screed from leaking. Polyethylene sheeting is commonly used for this purpose. We recommend using a thickness of at least 1000 gauge. Make sure to extend the membrane up the walls at the edges of the area to be screeded and secure it with adhesive tape, ensuring that all seams and joints are fully sealed.
Installing Waterproof Shuttering
When working around obstacles such as doorways or pipework, it’s essential to install waterproof shuttering. This helps to ensure that water doesn’t infiltrate areas where it shouldn’t. In tricky spots, like around pipes, use mastic or expanding foam to seal any gaps and ensure everything remains watertight.
Securing Underfloor Heating Pipes
If your project includes underfloor heating, it’s important to properly secure the heating pipes or trays within the polyethylene membrane. Typically, clips are used for this purpose, which also help to prevent the pipes from shifting or floating when the liquid screed is poured. For added security, it’s advisable to fill the pipes with water before screeding to weigh them down and keep them in place.
Ready to Pour
With the area now sealed and watertight, you’re ready to proceed with pouring the liquid screed. Ensuring these preparatory steps are followed will lead to a smooth and successful screeding process.
If you have any further questions or need professional advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of specialists at 0118 229 3366.
