How to speed up screed drying time.

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hail hail

hail hail

Private Member
Have an extension I've to screed this Monday. Was supposed to have it screeded two weeks ago but was let down by the plumber and he couldn't get first fix in untill late this week.

I have a deadline to have this extension finished out, painted, doors skirting on and concreting done outside. Plaster has a few days left before can paint it.

I know the 1mm per day to dry etc.. for sand and cement screeds but I don't think anyone I know has ever stuck to this. 3 weeks is what anyone leaves it for then puts there finished flooring on weather depending.

If I'm to screed this week coming, seeing as how it's the wrong end of year for drying. Apart from dehumidifiers, is there any way I can speed sand and cement screed drying quicker for tiling onto and laying laminate flooring, skirting etc...

I'm slow enough at it and I'll usually break it up into 2 days if it's a 50sq meter extension. I know others would have this on by lunch time but I prefer to take my time at it and he bit bang on rather than speed and end up with issues.

Need this in quick and dried out quick for the Dec 1st deadline.

Another question, is it ok to paint the walls when the screed is drying out. Would the water evaporation cause any issues with the paint.
 
hail hail said:
Have an extension I've to screed this Monday. Was supposed to have it screeded two weeks ago but was let down by the plumber and he couldn't get first fix in untill late this week.

I have a deadline to have this extension finished out, painted, doors skirting on and concreting done outside. Plaster has a few days left before can paint it.

I know the 1mm per day to dry etc.. for sand and cement screeds but I don't think anyone I know has ever stuck to this. 3 weeks is what anyone leaves it for then puts there finished flooring on weather depending.

If I'm to screed this week coming, seeing as how it's the wrong end of year for drying. Apart from dehumidifiers, is there any way I can speed sand and cement screed drying quicker for tiling onto and laying laminate flooring, skirting etc...

I'm slow enough at it and I'll usually break it up into 2 days if it's a 50sq meter extension. I know others would have this on by lunch time but I prefer to take my time at it and he bit bang on rather than speed and end up with issues.

Need this in quick and dried out quick for the Dec 1st deadline.

Another question, is it ok to paint the walls when the screed is drying out. Would the water evaporation cause any issues with the paint.
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you can get ready mixed screed that sets quicker

or dehumidifiers will set it quicker (y)
 
hail hail said:
I usually get ready mix from the quarry. Hate mixing it. Does it set quicker playing time aswell or just setting time after laid
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you can get accelerator in the screed drying
delivered mate

depends I suppose how much your using and how many lads are on it
 
algeeman said:
you can get accelerator in the screed drying
delivered mate

depends I suppose how much your using and how many lads are on it
Click to expand...


I'll be the only one laying and it's 40sq meters extension. I'm slow thou. I take my time so it's perfect.

How long it take to set?
 
Speeding up the drying time can effect the the strength of the screed when it’s fully cured. Don’t know about screed but with plaster BG advise not to use dehumidifiers and direct heat. Halogen infrared heaters will help but I’d be careful of putting them in too soon. Weather dependent but the best bet is open the windows after a couple of days.
 
The Apprentice said:
Speeding up the drying time can effect the the strength of the screed when it’s fully cured. Don’t know about screed but with plaster BG advise not to use dehumidifiers and direct heat. Halogen infrared heaters will help but I’d be careful of putting them in too soon. Weather dependent but the best bet is open the windows after a couple of days.
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Twice Iv seen skim pulled off the wall in a big blister by customer putting a dehumidifier on, after being told not to. Both times they tried to blame me
 
The Apprentice said:
Speeding up the drying time can effect the the strength of the screed when it’s fully cured. Don’t know about screed but with plaster BG advise not to use dehumidifiers and direct heat. Halogen infrared heaters will help but I’d be careful of putting them in too soon. Weather dependent but the best bet is open the windows after a couple of days.
Click to expand...
@ChrispyUK see you chancer.
Normal screed shouldn't be dried too quickly, cement needs time to cure. This is why specialist products exist.
 
Polystyrene sheets. 22mm moisture resistant t&g flooring. Even if you had to do a bit of prep first . Don't have to worry about the weather and drying.
 
The Apprentice said:
Speeding up the drying time can effect the the strength of the screed when it’s fully cured. Don’t know about screed but with plaster BG advise not to use dehumidifiers and direct heat. Halogen infrared heaters will help but I’d be careful of putting them in too soon. Weather dependent but the best bet is open the windows after a couple of days.
Click to expand...



I already knew dehumidifiers not great but have never seen or heard of horror stories with them for screed.

I've seen some horrific screeding jobs but still do it's purpose. One was like sand and 10mm of rubbed up hard part. Lasted since the 70s untill last year I lifted it. I can't see a dehumidifier even making it this bad. What's the worst could happen. A few cracks but sure they'll be covered. Have also seen cracked screed still do it's purpose.

This will be on top of 150mm insulation on top of a raft foundation
 
I remember an episode of DIY SOS where Mark (foreman) was freaking out because someone forgot to put accelerator in the screed mix, and it cost them dearly, on a ridiculously tight deadline. Not that it's recommended, but I think they ended up using space-heaters to speed it up. Mind you, I suspect they have to use far too many shortcuts on that program, what with the insanely tight deadlines they have to work to.
 
Your only solution is to buy in a delivered ready mix from a specialist supplier. It's not that expensive now and virtually self levelling. They can advise on the right mix for a rapid setting time and earlier floor covering, quite amazing what they can do now. Can take weeks off completion

Concrete needs the water in it to enable the cement crystal whiskers to develop and interlock to give it strength. As others have said, if you dry it off quickly you are reducing the strength and set of the concrete, especially the top.

I understand DIY SOS have had some call-backs!
 
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