What strength mortar for bedding steel

[Rustychain]

Hi there

I'm preparing our concrete kitchen floor before getting vinyl fitted.

The builders decided to run our services across the floor by cutting a channel in the concrete floor. This has left me with a 15 cm gap that I need to bridge with something solid (there are copper pipes etc underneath).

I've decided to use a sheet of 8 mm steel and have prepared a rebate either side of the channel to take the steel (so that the floor finish is flat, ready for the flooring screed to go on top).

I intend to lay the steel sheet on a mortar bed. Do you think this is the right approach to take? If yes, what strength mix should I use?

Thanks!

Rusty

 

[noseall]

12mm wbp ply would be better.

No prob's (structurally) with the steel other than temperature issues and perhaps a bit of condensation.

 

[Rustychain]

Thanks for the response noseall.

Do you think 12mm wbp ply would be strong enough to walk on etc without flexing too much (it's a 15 cm span)?

I hadn't thought of the condensation issues with steel. The steel is going to be screeded and have vinly flooring laid on top. If I do go for the steel, is it worth fixing some Kingspan to the underside to reduced the likelihood of condensation?

 

[noseall]

12mm ply over a 150mm gap will not flex a great deal.

If you must use steel then seal it well and perhaps fill the void with fibreglass insulation.