Removed cracked screed to discover shingle - how best to repair

[Simon Ellis]

Hello, I am preparing some flooring for tiling. This has involved removing the existing parquet floor covering. In one area the screed was badly cracked and a chunk of screed lifted out. This is in an area where the central heating pipes run.

How is it best to repair this (depth about 70mm), should I remove all the shingle and use some repair mortar or is it sufficient to put the repair mortar on top of the loose shingle to a more shallow depth. I was expecting to find a solid floor slab but the shingle seems to keep going.

Have attached a photo. Thank you in advance.

 

[dazlight]

Ardex A46 rapid repair

 

[SpecialK]

Are the pipes wrapped in anything? The concrete/screed may eat away at the copper...?

 

[Simon Ellis]

Hi SpecialK - the pipes aren't wrapped in anything, they just seem to be lying loose in the shingle. I could put some shingle back on top then mortar ontop or I could try and cover the exposed areas of the pipe, but I am probably not going to be able to get 100% protection. Any suggestions?

 

[SpecialK]

You can cover the pipes with something like denso tape. If they are in gravel then they are not touching the concrete although I would be concerned about the rest of the run before putting down tiles...How old is the house? Thankfully older copper pipes are much thicker...

Hi SpecialK - the pipes aren't wrapped in anything, they just seem to be lying loose in the shingle. I could put some shingle back on top then mortar ontop or I could try and cover the exposed areas of the pipe, but I am probably not going to be able to get 100% protection. Any suggestions?

 

[Simon Ellis]

The house is late 60's - I expect these pipes have been been under the screed uncovered since built. Therefore I think as long as I don't do anything to agitate the pipes - if they have been ok this far they should be ok for future years. I don't really have any other options for the rest of the run - it goes under walls and out in three directions from this point!