Floor Screeding

[irw]

Hi All,
I know we have people from all walks of life here, so I was just wondering if there is anyone experienced in floor screeding, ideally professional rather than diy- long story short, but after doing one room myself, I had some 'professionals' in to do the more awkward section, and they've completely cocked it up, so it now either needs making good, or digging out and starting again.

Being now very wary of crap tradespeople, I'm willing to give fixing it up a go myself (the room I did is fine), but I'm not going to be able to use a 'mix-and-pour' style self leveller now as there are many bits that will need 'feathing in', so I'm after advice on the best stuff to use that I can trowel on and level off with a spirit level.

Alternatively, if you are pro, and think you can help me out, I'd be very happy to be contacted via PM. (I'm in Liverpool)

Thanks,

Ian

 

[Levo-Lon]

In what way have they got it wrong?
To high
To low
Dry
And how long laid?

 

[Cycleops]

If it’s latex screed it’s supposed to be self levelling that’s assuming it doesn’t need to be too thick. What’s going on top?
I used to work in the flooring trade but not hands on with things like this.

 

[Adam4868]

Im guessing its a sand and cement screed ?

 

[Heigue'r]

How many cubic meters have went into it?if it is a relativlely small area and it is still fresh,few days,id be inclined to gun it up and start over.Materials are cheap enough as long as its not a few hundred sq meters

 

[Tim Hall]

Paging @MikeG. MikeG to the cement powder covered courtesy telephone please.

 

[MikeG]

I'm here. What's the question?

 

[screenman]

I'm here. What's the question?

Where has the op gone too?

 

[MikeG]

Oh, a ballsed-up screed.

I'd not hesitate in making the guilty party kango it up and do it again properly........and don't part with a penny until it's perfect. There are both latex and two-part compounds for repairing bad jobs, but they're no use if anything is high, or if the original screed is crazed.

 

[irw]

Thanks for replies so far- the guys who put it down have not been back since attempt number two (about two weeks ago now), and have not been in touch, despite saying they'd be back the next day to see how it was. Luckily I hadn't paid anything, and if they do return, will be told where to go, as quite frankly I wouldn't trust them to sort anything out. I'm pretty sure he knew he'd messed it up when he left.

I've already SDS'd up the high 2m squared or so, down to just below 'sea level' so everything that's left is either too low or just right.

 

[MikeG]

You can't just take the top off screed. The only strength in the stuff is the compressed top layer. The rest is a weak lattice structure which will break up readily.

The two-part solution is a professional job. You can't do it yourself. If you call such a company in they'll advise on what to do with your existing screed. I'd be most interested to know whether such remedial work would actually be cheaper than doing the whole thing again from scratch. If you are keen to DIY, then break it all out and start from scratch. If you've done it before then you'll know about using leveling battens or a laser, but if this is a bigger area than you are used to you'll find the challenge is mixing it consistently and on time. Much better if you have a reliable assistant than trying to mix and lay by yourself.

 

[irw]

You can't just take the top off screed. The only strength in the stuff is the compressed top layer. The rest is a weak lattice structure which will break up readily.

The two-part solution is a professional job. You can't do it yourself. If you call such a company in they'll advise on what to do with your existing screed. I'd be most interested to know whether such remedial work would actually be cheaper than doing the whole thing again from scratch. If you are keen to DIY, then break it all out and start from scratch. If you've done it before then you'll know about using leveling battens or a laser, but if this is a bigger area than you are used to you'll find the challenge is mixing it consistently and on time. Much better if you have a reliable assistant than trying to mix and lay by yourself.

Exactly why I got someone in for the 'hard' bit

 

[irw]

The line is where they put a dam in to stop attempt number two spilling into the area that needed feathering after attempt number 1. The black 'X's in the foreground are pretty much 'sea level', then it slopes down.

 

[neil_merseyside]

I've just done a bathroom so only a few square metres admittedly, but I think if you had someone mixing you could probably manage that area easily, I went all pro on the bathroom so I bought a 500mm spiked roller, then made a pin leveller (AKA a broom head plank with 'adjuster' screws in) to spread excess above 3mm around - took all of 10mins to spread 2 bags of leveller and roller the air bubbles out. Before I started I put screws into the underfloor and levelled these at my required level as a guide, then it was pour, spread and roll - wait.
Don't forget that self leveller is usually nothing of the sort, think of it as more of a smoother as it only levels a bit if it's spread deep (to flow) and even then it's not often really level but should be near(er) but plenty smooth enough for most coverings. Watch minimum and Max thicknesses of chosen product.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Just out of curiosity is the doorway on the other side of the room the same height as the floor where the X in pencil is ?
It looks like its a lot lower.
If this is the case then you may need a re- think regarding levels and possible changes to the hall or other room level.

Ive screeded 1000s of m2 btw for all manor of finishes