Screed drying time

[paul.deitch]

As I understand it you need to wait about 6 weeks before tiling or flooring after laying a screed. If underfloor heating is installed can the screed drying time be reduced by running the heating for a period of time? If so how long will it likely take, what is the max sensible temperature and what are the risks in doing so?

[Solitude]

the heating will damage the screed, like drying out plaster (it wont bond properly.) be patient and let it all cure.
And don't turn the u/floor heating on for several weeks after laying tiles either

[jules_s]

This old chestnut!

That depends on soooo many things. I'll start, off the top of my head (im on holiday btw lol)

Substrate
thickness of screed
type of screed
type of covering (drying times can to an extent be ignored/reduced if certain breathable dpms are used over the screed, or choice of carpet)
weather tight date


FWIW, screed drying times and their laying is the single most thing I look for on contractors programmes...they are almost always on the critical path.

I'm not 100% sure of the UFH issues, but you are asking the corrrect questions. The screed manufacturer will be able to fill in the gaps.

[normalbloke]

jules_s said:

This old chestnut!

That depends on soooo many things. I'll start, off the top of my head (im on holiday btw lol)

Substrate
thickness of screed
type of screed
type of covering (drying times can to an extent be ignored/reduced if certain breathable dpms are used over the screed, or choice of carpet)
weather tight date


FWIW, screed drying times and their laying is the single most thing I look for on contractors programmes...they are almost always on the critical path.

I'm not 100% sure of the UFH issues, but you are asking the corrrect questions. The screed manufacturer will be able to fill in the gaps.

You must be having a mindblowing holiday.....

[jules_s]

Indeed, we are an hour ahead of the uk though.

I wish I were younger, but alas these days my holidays involve loads of sight seeing and nice meals out...not pissing it up until 2:00am then sleeping half the day away.

Hey ho, half a bottle of vino to go then beddie byes

[Tuna]

ISTR 'dry' screeds dry out at 1mm per day - so a 75mm thick screed takes just short of three months. Liquid screeds set chemically, so you can get in there after a week. UFH should be run at a low temperature and ramped up over the approved time for the screed.

Here's a pic of our UFH manifold just after screeding: