How to Mix Floor Screed
Floor screed is a mortar-like substance that installers spread in a thin layer onto the surface of a subfloor. After the screed is applied, installers place tiles, bricks and other types of flooring on top of it. The screed dries to a hard consistency, holding the flooring material securely in place.
Things You Will Need
- Cement mixer
- Cement
- Sand
- Water
- Concrete
Screed also applies to the long, thin board builders drag across the surface of the screed floor, making it smooth.
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Pour four parts of sand and one part of cement into a concrete mixer.
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Turn the mixer on and allow it to run for one to two minutes to thoroughly combine the dried substances.
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Place enough water into the mixture, using a garden hose, so that the mixture is damp but not wet. It's best to add only a little water at a time. To determine if the proper amount of water has been added, turn off the mixer and grab a handful of screed. Squeeze it tightly in your fist. Only one to two drops of water should come out of the mixture and it should retain a tight ball shape. If the screed crumbles, add a little more water. If too much water comes out, add more sand and cement.
Tip
Use a coarse concrete or builder's sand rather than fine mortar sand. If the layer of poured screen will be more than 2 inches thick, substitute concrete for the cement.
References
Tips
- Use a coarse concrete or builder's sand rather than fine mortar sand.
- If the layer of poured screen will be more than 2 inches thick, substitute concrete for the cement.
Writer Bio
Kimberly Johnson is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in various online publications including eHow, Suite101 and Examiner. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and began writing professionally in 2001.
Photo Credits
- Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
- Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
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