I have finally got the hang of screeding!

[XmisterIS]

I've had 3 attempts and I've finally got it!

My first attempt was when I renewed the DPC in my conservatory (the original one was a joke - according to my builder - put in by cowboys 20-odd years ago by the previous owner of the house). My DPC is a good'un, the trouble is my screed was an abomination! So I installed a wooden floor over it to hide it.

My second attempt was when I dug out and concreted over a flowerbed that the previous owners had had put in ... 6ft from the North face of the house ... so obviously nothing grew there given as it got not one glimmer of sunshine! My screeding then was slightly better, but I still went for the "not quite flat and slightly lumpy" effect!

Now then, my third attempt was just now, I dug out and filled in the other flowerbed against the North wall (6ft from the house, etc). I have nailed it!! I've gone for the "nice and flat" effect!! the secret seems to be to pour the concrete and screed as you go, don't worry if the surface is all bitty, just make sure it's flat. Then gently (I omitted the "gently" bit on the previous two occasions) go over it with a wet float at a slight angle until it is all nice and smooth. Then gently (again, the "gently") drag a stiff broom over it to create a textured surface for walking on.

Job's a good'un and I am impressed with myself! Practice makes perfect and all that ...

 

[asterix]

Some useful tips here:

http://www.pavingexpert.com/screeding.htm#trammel

 

[fossyant]

Sorted !

 

[danphoto]

Gosh, well done you. What are you like doing the vertical version, aka "plastering"?

 

[XmisterIS]

Some useful tips here:

http://www.pavingexp...ing.htm#trammel

Ah! Now there has been the problem in the past - I've read more online guides-to-screeding that I would care to mention, the trouble is that I've always ended up in a frustrated rage thinking, "I'm following the bloody instructions, theirs looks beautiful, mine looks like elephant sh1t!" I think it is all just down to practice.

Gosh, well done you. What are you like doing the vertical version, aka "plastering"?

I have no idea, I daren't try ...

 

[XmisterIS]

Lol!

I've also discovered the joys of concrete waterproofer ... I found a tub of it in Wickes, read the back and it said "0.5L per 50Kg of concrete". I thought, "Nah! That's such a small amount, that won't do anything!" It was only £5 so I thought I'd give it a go, since the concrete is for outside ... I've just gone and taken the tarp off the concrete, some water spilled onto it ... and my God it's gone waterproof! Water goes on ... water doesn't soak in ... water runs off! It's good stuff that concrete waterproofer stuff that is.

 

[summerdays]

Bit late now but I've got a Pieris, a Mahonia, 2 camilia's, and a clematis growing less that 6 ft from my north facing wall with a fence immediately behind blocking light from the east, and a pyracantha on the north facing wall. And they are generally doing well - over 6 ft high (the camilia's didn't seem to flower very well this year which I put down to being so dry).

 

[asterix]

Gosh, well done you. What are you like doing the vertical version, aka "plastering"?

Am just starting that in bits of my barn conversion. Unfortunately French plaster seems to go off faster than a galloping horse. It's possible to do an area the size of a large paving slab and then find the stuff in the bucket is solid and you have a tough cleaning task. Appropriately the brand is called 'joker' and is notorious.

There is another, mythical, brand of French plaster called Lutece 2000 that is much easier. Everywhere will have some more in stock next week, so they tell me. Can't wait till 'next week' so will bring some UK stuff out..

OTOH if anyone knows how to stop plaster going off quick..

 

[XmisterIS]

Am just starting that in bits of my barn conversion. Unfortunately French plaster seems to go off faster than a galloping horse. It's possible to do an area the size of a large paving slab and then find the stuff in the bucket is solid and you have a tough cleaning task. Appropriately the brand is called 'joker' and is notorious.

There is another, mythical, brand of French plaster called Lutece 2000 that is much easier. Everywhere will have some more in stock next week, so they tell me. Can't wait till 'next week' so will bring some UK stuff out..

OTOH if anyone knows how to stop plaster going off quick..

Can you get a bulk batch delivered from the UK? Or Germany? I think their building materials are roughly equivalent to ours, but don't quote me on that! I can just imagine the French reaction either way though ... "Zut! Alors! Vat eez zees Germanic plastuur zat you are useeing in one off our Frensh owzez?!"

 

[Zoiders]

Self levelling compound hides a multitude of sins and dodgy floating, good ones have water proofer in the mix already.

 

[Night Train]

Well done on the screed.

I mastered concreting when I was underpinning my house. The whole house is on a 100sqm reinforced concrete raft foundation now.
That was a lot of ready mix to move around with a rake.