I have some concerns on a floor I am going to lay in the near future. Due to the practicalities of the job I think a fibre screed seems the better option. However I am scared it may crack.
The reasons I've opted for screed are
It has worked out within my budget to get the chosen substance delivered by a local firm than buy the materials individually and hire mixer.
Access to the room is down stairs and a short walk. As I have no who can help me, I feel concrete will start to become unworkable before I have got the 1 cubic meter into the room.
The floor cant go much higher than 130mm this includes the 50mm insulation sheets I have already laid across the floor. I will get a much better finish with screed.
My Concerns
The existing floor is quite uneven. I have estimated the screed will be 80mm at its deepest and a minimum of 50mm thick at the thinnest point. However I am anticipating, in practice this may become 40m. Although, this will only be in a ½ meter squared area. Will this weaken it too much?
The floor slopes in several directions. The insulation I have put down seems to rock slightly in places. I am very concerned this may encourage the screed to crack. Before I cover the insulation with another polythene membrane, would it help to cut along the top of the insulation – in order to try and get it to follow the general direction of the slope? (very tricky in places – sloping in 2 directions etc)
Once its down will I be able to drill into it and fix a stud wall in the same way as I would concrete.
Previous, but limited experience in employment down south has given me the confidence to do the job myself; although it was always working with someone far more knowledgeable than me. A very tight budget also means I have to do it myself and means I only get one shot at it. For this reason any advice is much needed and would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
The reasons I've opted for screed are
It has worked out within my budget to get the chosen substance delivered by a local firm than buy the materials individually and hire mixer.
Access to the room is down stairs and a short walk. As I have no who can help me, I feel concrete will start to become unworkable before I have got the 1 cubic meter into the room.
The floor cant go much higher than 130mm this includes the 50mm insulation sheets I have already laid across the floor. I will get a much better finish with screed.
My Concerns
The existing floor is quite uneven. I have estimated the screed will be 80mm at its deepest and a minimum of 50mm thick at the thinnest point. However I am anticipating, in practice this may become 40m. Although, this will only be in a ½ meter squared area. Will this weaken it too much?
The floor slopes in several directions. The insulation I have put down seems to rock slightly in places. I am very concerned this may encourage the screed to crack. Before I cover the insulation with another polythene membrane, would it help to cut along the top of the insulation – in order to try and get it to follow the general direction of the slope? (very tricky in places – sloping in 2 directions etc)
Once its down will I be able to drill into it and fix a stud wall in the same way as I would concrete.
Previous, but limited experience in employment down south has given me the confidence to do the job myself; although it was always working with someone far more knowledgeable than me. A very tight budget also means I have to do it myself and means I only get one shot at it. For this reason any advice is much needed and would be greatly appreciated.
thanks