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The Process

It is vital for the site to be fully prepared and ready before the screed is applied. At Cemflo we have a checklist to help our customers with getting everything in place before we start. Our main requirement is for the sub floor to be clear of any dust and debris. For each type of application there are some specific steps that need to be taken.

1. Site Preparation

Bonded Floor

  • Any cracks in the floor must be repaired. If there are any, they will show through and crack the bonded screed which is why it is important to start with a smooth surface.
  • The day before Cemfloor is installed, a coat of quality bonding agent needs to be applied to the surface. This must be allowed to dry overnight.
  • An hour before we arrive a second coat of bonding agent is applied to the floor. This needs to be slightly tacky to ensure a good fixing.

Unbonded Floor

  • Insulation sheets must be tightly fitted to ensure they are not loose when you walk on them.
  • Cover the insulation with a quality polythene sheeting. This needs to be stretched until there are no creases and overlapping with the perimeter walls by a minimum of 75mm.

Underfloor Heating

  • Check the floor insulation sheets are correctly fitted. If there are any gaps at this stage, thermal bridging can happen to the subfloor. If there are any gaps fill with a quality expanding foam.
  • Cover the area with polythene sheets. These need to be stretched and overlapping with the perimeter wall by a minimum of 100mm.
  • The heating system specifications will detail the requirements of the minimum edge expansion strip. The design will state you need to use 7mm or 25mm insulation strips.

2. Installation

The building where the screed is being applied needs to be protected from the elements. Ideally windows and doors should be fitted. If this is not possible all openings need to be covered with polythene and plywood.

A mixer lorry will deliver the screed to the site before being transferred to our pump. We carry out a product test to check the consistency and flow are correct before application. Cemfloor is a self-compacting screed which means unlike traditional products, there is no need to level the floor manually.

Once the screed has been installed the area must remain protected from the elements. This will allow the product to cure properly. Failure to do this could lead to issues with the floor because the surface has not reached its full strength.

3. After care

It is important to vent the building 24 to 48 hours after the screed has been applied. Doors and windows should be opened on a daily basis, this will speed up the drying time. After 24 to 48 hours you can walk on a Cemfloor.

There will be no requirement to sand or clear dust particles from the surface. Compatible with all cement-based adhesives, floor coverings can be laid directly onto the screed within 10 to 28 days of application.

Where underfloor heating is being installed the system needs to be fully commissioned before a floor covering can be laid. A moisture test must also be carried out particularly for the fixing of wooden and vinyl floors.

4. Flooring

Floor coverings can be applied much quicker than with a calcium sulphate screed. Using a traditional product, the surface would need to be dried to a final moisture content of 0.5%CM. This can have a significant impact on the timescales for a building project.

A Cemfloor can speed up the whole process. At a final moisture content of just 3.5%CM you will be able to tile the floor. At 2.5%CM moisture content you can install a timber floor.

Got a project you'd like to talk to us about?

If you have any questions or would like us to quote for a project, please feel free to contact us.

Email: info@cemflo.co.uk
Tel: 01733 639121

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