Copyright © Screed & Stone Ltd 2017
HOW TO PREPARE A NEW SCREED FLOOR FOR TILING.
Is it time to tile?
Now that your screed and underfloor heating system has been professionally installed, you must be itching to get your new tiles laid?
Wait. Laying your tiles too soon, or missing out some vital steps in your subfloor preparation, could be a costly mistake as tiles may not adhere correctly, or they may even crack. This guide will explain what needs to happen to ensure that your new floor is ready for tiling, including a tick list for your tiler to use when working out whether the time is right to start laying.
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Copyright © Screed & Stone Ltd 2017
0800 756 1394www.screedit.co.uk
HOW TO PREPARE A NEW SCREED FLOOR FOR TILING.
Your sanding, vacuuming and priming timeline
Download our DIY guide for induced joints and crack repairs here: http://www.screedit.co.uk/downloads, or visit our YouTube channel for our ‘how to’ videos here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOEW1ITnCfKvauaej-eqP2Q.
PrimingApply a high quality
acrylic primer
VacuumingHoover with an industrial
strength vacuum
SandingUse a universal orbital
floor sander
Induced jointsInduced joints have been made to allow for expansion
CommissioningYour underfloor heating has
been commissioned
InstallationYour new underfloor
heating has been installed and the screed is poured
Moisture testing
The floor has been moisture tested and is fully cured
Cracks repairedAny minor surface cracks
have been repaired
Copyright © Screed & Stone Ltd 2017
0800 756 1394www.screedit.co.uk
HOW TO PREPARE A NEW SCREED FLOOR FOR TILING.
Make sure your screed is completely dry
The main pitfall when preparing a new screed floor for tiling is beginning work before the screed is properly dry.
A number of factors can affect how long a newly poured screed floor takes to fully cure and it’s important to remember that the curing time stated on installation day will depend on:
● Other wet trades adding moisture to the room, such as plasterers ● Moisture or wetness entering through unglazed openings if your building isn’t watertight
Don’t panic. You can make sure your screed it completely dry by:
● Making sure your underfloor heating has been on for a minimum of 14 days prior to tiling● Taping a polythene sheet to the floor and weighing it down overnight, to see if any moisture has risen to the surface
Moisture Testing Kit
DIY Moisture Testing
Copyright © Screed & Stone Ltd 2017
0800 756 1394www.screedit.co.uk
HOW TO PREPARE A NEW SCREED FLOOR FOR TILING.
Print this page for your tiler to fill in before they start work. This check list has been designed to protect you from poor quality tiling installations. By identifying that the correct preparation has been completed, you could save both time and money.
Date of Screed Installation:
Has the floor been moisture tested?Name:
Date:
Name:
/ /
Has the underfloor heating been commissioned?
Date commissioned:
Has the underfloor heating been in use for a minimum of 14 days?
Have induced joints been cut according to the screed type and floor size?
Number of induced joints to be mirrored in tiling:
Have any surface cracks been correctly repaired?
Has the floor been correctly sanded with an orbital sander?
Has an industrial vacuum been used to remove dust and debris?
Has the floor been correctly primed with an acrylic primer according to manufacturer guidelines?
Which primer was used?
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
Name:YES NO
Name:YES NO
Engineer Name:
Manufacturer Primer
/ /
/ /
/ /