Preparation:
Thorough surface preparation is essential. Poor preparation may result in unbonded screed.
Look at our useful guide ‘How to prepare a concrete floor‘ for useful information and tips on how to prepare the room correctly for your project ensuring you are ready to use our hard wearing screed.
The surface should be clean, sound, and free from all loose particles such as old adhesive residues, dust, plaster spillages, grease, paint, polish and any other compound, which may become softened by the introduction of water or be detrimental to the required bond.
Concrete bases and floor screeds must be fully cured and firm.
Surface hardeners and curing membranes must be removed prior to laying the floor screed.
Sub-floors must conform to the dryness requirements of BS8203 1987 and must incorporate an effective damp proof membrane.
Relative humidity should be less than 75%.
The floor screed may be applied onto a suitable surface damp proof membrane where a good mechanical key has been provided.
Important note:
Underfloor heating must be switched off at least 48 hours before application of the screed and once the floor screed is installed, please ensure the screed is left for a period of 48 hours to fully cure before the underfloor heating is turned on.
Finally, please also ensure the temperature of the heating is increased in increments of no more than 5°C per day
Priming:
Application on newly laid underfloor heating will require the use of our Easi Screed Primer, if applying directly to a foil backed insulation, such as Celotex.
Priming should be undertaken in all screeding applications using Easi Screed Primer including applications over foil backed insulation such as Celotex.
On particularly absorbent floors additional coats may be required. The use of a primer will reduce air bubbling, pin holing and will prolong the workability of the
Concrete or sand and cement screeds – prime with Polycote Easi-Screed Primer.
Non-absorbent surfaces – prime with Polycote WD Primer.
Oily/contaminated surfaces – prime with Polycote OT Primer.
Damaged DPM / Rising damp issues – prime with Polycote DPM Primer.
Please refer to relevant Data Sheets for preparation and priming methods.
Mixing:
A good floor screed consistency is achieved by adding the powder to 4 litres of clean water.
Gradually add the entire 20kg quantity of powder whilst using a heavy duty slow speed drill and mixing paddle.
Mixing by hand does not readily give a thoroughly or evenly mixed product.
Mix for at least 2 minutes to allow the additives to dissolve and produce a homogeneous mix which should be lump free and a consistency of single cream.
When mixed allow to stand for 1 minute after which the whole screed mix is ready for application.
DO NOT MIX MORE THAN CAN BE APPLIED IN 25 MINUTES.
DO NOT ADD EXCESS WATER.
Application:
Application by Trowel:
A 20kg unit will cover a floor area of approximately 3.7m² at a thickness of 3mm.
Pour a small quantity onto the prepared surface and trowel down lightly.
Where it is necessary to contain the flooring screed, such as day work joints or a straight edge of movement joints, wooden laths or similar should be used as flow-stops.
Application by pump:
Prior to laying the mixed compound carry out a flow test using a flow ring (30mm diameter x 50mm long).
A flow diameter of 135mm + or – 10mm should be achieved, adjust mix accordingly to comply to this flow criteria.
Periodically check to ensure mix remains in limit.
We advise the use of a spiked roller to ensure a close tolerance surface is achieved.
A spiked roller should be used immediately over the freshly poured material to eliminate any bubbles trapped within the screed layer. If the product is not spike rolled immediately and the liquid screed begins to cure, roller spike marks will remain visible.
Failure to disperse the air bubbles by spike rolling may result in a lesser impervious finish.
Do not add extra water.
Cementitious screeds are susceptible to damage from liquid and chemical attack (including prolonged or constant use of water) and should therefore be sealed suitably prior to the use of such products.
Starting at the furthest corner from the exit pour the screed evenly onto the floor to the required thickness and allow the self levelling compound to start levelling.
The use of depth adjustable floats or a pinned/notched leveller is recommended to assist in spreading the screed to a constant thickness.
The next mix of material must be rapidly produced and poured along the wet edge of the material as well as across the exposed floor.
Each application layer should be laid within 20 minutes of the area adjoining in order to blend evenly into the edge of the previously laid material. This process can be helped by gently using a n appropriate tool along the joint.
Once the workable time has been exceeded it is not possible for the new material to be blended into previously applied material.
Therefore, the floor topping should be applied to the entire area in one continuous operation.
cleaning:
Tools and equipment should be cleaned whilst material is still wet with warm soapy water.
Hands and skin should be cleaned immediately with Organic Hand Cleaner.
shelf life and storage
The shelf life of Easi-Screed Flexible is up to 12 months subject to storage in dry conditions. Store off ground.
finishing:
Easi-Screed Flexible may be used without further over coating. However, should a coloured and/or sealed smooth finish be required, it can be painted with a water dispersed coating after only 24 hours. (The area must have been well ventilated, and the coating given a chance to cure properly as shown above).
After the initial drying process, should a second coat of paint be required, please consult the specific data sheet for the paint concerned to establish overcoat / curing times and any other useful information for your new floor.
We have many coatings that can be applied over the top of Easi-Screed Flexible with several factors that might need consideration.
However, for simplicity, the three most popular coatings are as follows:
For an excellent high wearing coating, capable of forklift traffic, etc, we recommend one coat of Polycote WD Primer followed by one coat of Flortex Professional. An exceptionally hard wearing, high build epoxy floor paint.
Should a clear sealer be required for your floor surface, we can recommend either two coats of a single pack acrylic – Flortex Clearseal or two coats of a high strength, impervious twin pack epoxy paint– Flortex SG.
These coatings will act as a curing agent and help prevent premature drying and cracking, as well as strengthening and sealing the surface for protection against oil and other spillages, achieving a smooth, even finish.
