Liquid screed can provide a particularly smooth base for tiled flooring, but the quality of the finished floor depends heavily on what happens before the tiles are laid.
It is not simply a case of waiting for the screed to harden and applying adhesive. Moisture, surface condition and compatibility all need to be considered.
Plan the drying period into the project
Liquid screed requires adequate drying time before a finished floor can be installed. The timeframe is affected by the screed specification, thickness and conditions within the property.
This matters on refurbishment projects where the flooring programme may already be closely linked to kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems and other finishing work.
Before tiling, the screed should be checked using an appropriate moisture testing method. A dry looking surface alone does not confirm that the floor is ready.
A smooth surface still needs preparation
Although liquid screed produces a level finish, it may still need preparation before the tile adhesive is applied.
Some systems can leave laitance at the surface, which may require mechanical removal. Dust and other contaminants should also be removed thoroughly.
Whether a primer is necessary depends on the specific screed and adhesive system. The relevant manufacturers’ instructions should be followed rather than applying products automatically.
Large format tiles need careful planning
The tile itself can influence the installation requirements. Large format tiles are less forgiving of unevenness and require the substrate and adhesive system to be suitable for the installation.
Considering the final floor finish before the screed is installed can therefore be beneficial, particularly on high specification residential projects.
What if you’re installing underfloor heating?
Liquid screed is commonly paired with underfloor heating. Once the heating system has been installed, it should be commissioned in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Tiling should only proceed once the screed has also reached the required condition.
For Surrey projects in Guildford, Woking, Epsom, Reigate, Redhill and Farnham, careful sequencing can help the screeding and finishing stages run smoothly.
Planning a tiled floor? Floor Screeding Surrey can provide liquid flowing screed for a range of flooring projects.
Contact the team for a fixed price quote and discuss your requirements.