How long does it take for the screed to dry before tiling? This is a frequently asked question by contractors and developers. When it comes to subflooring and wet underfloor heating installation, drying times are critical to efficiency savings. So, we decided to dedicate a blog post to the subject. It can be difficult to determine how long to wait before laying flooring on a newly screeded surface. Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer because it depends on the type of screed used, the area covered, and the flooring you want to lay. However, this article is here to assist you in making that decision.
WHAT IS A SCREED?
A screed is a thin layer of material laid on top of a concrete subfloor. It’s traditionally made of sharp sand and cement. Industrial screed is a coarser 6-10mm aggregate that is used for heavier-duty applications. It is applied to in-situ, solid, or precast concrete floor slabs to cover structural flooring concrete. The screed can also be laid over insulating materials, such as underfloor heating pipes. Screed is intended to provide a smooth, flat surface on which to lay finishing materials such as floorboards, tiles, or carpets. Over a distance of 3 meters, the floor level should not exceed 5mm.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY?
It will take at least 24-48 hours to dry, depending on the type and thickness. The time could be reduced to 12 hours if certain additives are used! We recommend leaving it for 5-7 days in areas with heavy foot traffic or if you intend to move or place heavy furniture on it. Most screeds will typically reach full cure strength after about 28 days. It is preferable to wait that long before using a screeded surface for the best results.
SPEED UP THE SCREED’S DRYING PROCESS?
In a nutshell, yes. The drying process can be accelerated depending on the type of screed. However, this is only possible if you have ideal drying conditions or if an additive is used – something that the underfloor heating screed will benefit from.
BENEFITS OF DRYING SCREED FASTER:
- When drying time takes longer than expected, construction work can suffer.
- Work can be carried out and completed in a timely manner.
- Floors can be installed quickly, efficiently, and uniformly.
- The work schedule can be kept on track.
- In terms of time constraints, workers are relieved of stress.
HOW CAN I BE SURE ITS READY:
The time it takes for the screed to dry properly will vary depending on what you plan to lay on top of it.
LAMINATE:
Wait one week per centimeter of screed (thickness) up to 4cm and twice as long for each additional centimeter of thickness (up to 6cm). For every centimeter of thickness over 6cm, you should wait 4 weeks. It will take some time for all moisture to migrate from the bottom to the surface of the newly laid screed. Before installing laminate panels on a newly laid screed floor, cover it with plastic foil. Some laminate panels may have plastic foils or something similar built in.
TILES:
Before tiling can begin, the screed should be firm enough to walk on. Depending on the thickness, it could take three days to do this, and the concrete foundation should be at least a week old. Before beginning work, you must ensure that the substrates you intend to tile are both clean and dry, with special attention paid to movement joints and whether they are adequately specified. Lay the tiles, leaving approximately 3mm wide joints to allow for grouting and movement. After laying the tiles, grout the joints and fill the perimeter movement joints with silicone.
CARPET:
To prevent mold from forming due to rising moisture, the screed must be as dry as possible before laying the carpet down. After drying, the screed should be cleaned and free of contaminants. Concrete screeds must be structurally sound and free of holes, chips, and cracks. If the screed is damaged, you can repair it with an approved leveling compound that is at least 3mm thick.
TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY:
It’s not just the type of screed that determines how long it takes to try. External factors, like anything else, influence screed drying time. Temperature and humidity are the two most common environmental factors influencing floor screed drying time before tiling. The temperature of the environment has a significant impact on how long it takes the screed to try. The faster the drying time, the higher the temperature. A high level of humidity, on the other hand, means that the screed has a constant source of moisture, which slows the drying process and increases the floor screed drying time before tiling. Always test for moisture and never rely on estimated drying times; they are only a guide based on lab conditions. Failure to test the moisture content of the screed means that the tiles may delaminate.
WRAP UP:
As a result, the drying time for the screed is determined by the environment you provide. The more you can control the variables surrounding the screed, the faster it will be. As a result, the amount of time you must wait is heavily dependent on what you feed the screed, not just the material itself.
I hope this answers your question about “floor screed drying time before tiling.”
