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Screed Drying times

Posted on April 9, 2014 at 5:11 PM
  •    Sub-floors solid or wood need to be dry. British Standards state a screed should be tested using Hygrometry as described in annex A in the standards. The maximum level of relative humidity in the screed is 75%. There are many manufacturers of moisture testing equipment such as Tramex and Protimeter whose instruments can be used to identify areas for further testing with a hygrometer. These instruments can also be used to check the relative humidity to British Standards. The duration of the test will depend on the sub-straight. Sand and cement will normally require 2 to 3 days against power floated which will require at least 7 days. Never test floors with underfloor heating artificial drying aids (de-humidifiers) switched on. Switch off for at least 4 days prior to setting the hygrometer and they should remain off during the test period.
  • As a guide a new sand and cement screed will dry at a rate of 1mm per day for the first 75mm and 0.5mm per day up to 100mm. Thickness greater than 100mm can take considerably longer (150mm up to and over 1 year) given ideal drying conditions. Anhydrite screeds dry at a similar rate providing the surface laitance has been sanded off to allow evaporation or treat as power floated.
  • Some types of sub-floors can be coated with a liquid damp proof membrane to prevent excess moisture affecting the floorcovering. Always consult the DPM manufacturer for suitability.
  • Rooms below ground level are particularly vulnerable to high moisture levels see section 9 below.

  • Wood sub-floor moisture also needs to be checked. This can be done using the equipment described above with spike attachment. These work by pressing the spikes into the wood with the spikes (2) in line with the grain. The maximum moisture level is 15% although ideally 13% should be considered. Moisture levels above 17% need to be investigated. High levels could be caused by poor ventilation under the suspended sub-floor.

  • Taken from http://www.mflor.com
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    Categories: sub floor

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