Please Help - Screeding

[ziggy1979]

Hi All

Excuses if this is a silly question:

Is screeding a floor (over boiler fed underfloor heating) possible for a DIYer who's never done it before ... or is it one of those jobs that should really be left to the pros?

If possible for DIYers, any tips, tricks or advice, esp re getting the floor level!

Thanks a lot!

 

[roughcaster]

I would say get a pro in. You only want to do it once. The mix/consistency has to be right, you will have to be competent with the tools to finish it off,float/trowel, it has to be level so you will have to set it out , it has to adhere to the sub-floor........ there is a lot going on to screed a floor.

Roughcaster.

 

[ziggy1979]

Thanks ROughcaster ... I'm conviced .. pro it is!

Will a traditional builder be able to do the job or will we need someone who specialises in underfloor heating and this type of thing (we were hoping to put the insulation boards down and the lay the pipes and pipe clips to keep costs down so not sure if a guy who specialises in UFH would want to simply screed).

Also, we would like to do the entire downstairs (approx 70 sq metres):
1. Would you know how long a job this size should take?

2. Do we need more than one guy (if so how many)?

3. Is there a price/sq m that is std or do you have an overall idea of cost for something this size?

4. Can we order the screed mix in on the "cement" lorries or will it have to be mixed on site?

SOrry for the million questions!

Thanks for all your help!

 

[roughcaster]

Hi Ziggy,
I think you would have to ask around locally for most of your answers regarding costs, but you would certainly need a couple of guys (2 or 3) to do the job, especially if mixing on site. Most of the floors that I have screeded had been mixed up on site, even the granolithic floor screeds, but there were odd occasions, especially on MOD jobs where a specific small agggregate mix was required, and it was brought in as ready-mix. Again,ask builders locally if they would do the job, which i'm sure they will, and whether they mix on site or transport it in. Get costings for both.

Roughcaster.

 

[marsaday]

i did this same job last week myself. i laid the insulation and then pipes myself. the pipe was filled full of water from a hose pipe and capped off.

i then did my own screed 3and1 with fibers. i did 17sqm in 15h's over 1 1/2 days.

the finish isnt as good as a prop, but i will get the tiles down no probs.

 

[roughcaster]

Good luck to ya marsaday,as long as your happy with the end result that's what counts. Some DIYers are confident enough to give it a go, even laying some one day,some the next. It's always better for a screed to be laid in one go,(no joins), and a good going floor squad make short work of them.

Roughcaster.

 

[chessspy]

Hi, regarding screeding and pipes,
As a bricky, I wasn't much into screeding, but from what I remember..
The pipes need to be boxed in, with wood runs, and a cover, so that you can get access later if necessary, don't they?
anyway, levels, first lay a screed of approx 1ft wide along two opposite walls, level them using a length of 1"x4" or similar. Try across to see if they are level with each other, if not adjust as needed.
Then fill in, working towards the door. ( )
As I recall the mix is a dry mix, and fairly lean, (drylean) sharp sand I think.
If you rub up as you go there is no need to go over it, but if you are going to put a couple of bricks in the middle to put the end of the plank on so you can reach it all. (yo can always take 'em out later and patch it.)
Anyway, it its a bit rough, you can always use self levelling compound as a finish coat

 

[ziggy1979]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I think we'll be leaving this one to the pros ... BTW can 80 sq metres be done by a couple of guys in one day?

 

[chessspy]

Yes