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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 7:16 pm
by lutonlagerlout
hi
we are doing a job for a decent client in august
we need to be in and out in 3 weeks
the kitchen floor looks like it needs re screeding
normally this would take 3 weeks to dry out before the antiquo flooring could be laid
i have heard of a quick drying screed that dries completely in 2-3 days
anyone have any more info on this?
thanks LLL 
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:05 pm
by rab1
do you mean a liquid latex type screed?.
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:21 pm
by Brucieboy
LLL - try ronacrete, flowcrete etc for quick drying floor screeds. They're not cheap. Most of the ready mixed screed boys supply "quick drying" floor screed but will normally say in their literature that it takes 7 to 10 days to dry. By drying, for impermeable floor coverings such as amtico, the screed needs to achieve a relative humidity of 75% or drier (as measured by a hygrometer). If the humidity or "wetness" or the screed is too much above 75%, you risk bubbling of the amtico within a few weeks - expensive to remedy.
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:58 pm
by lutonlagerlout
hmm my thoughts exactly bruce
the amtico people wont lay if there is too much moisture present
I wont be pressured into getting it laid too soon as it is expensive all round
can it be supplied ready mixed or can you buy bags?
LLL
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:23 am
by Brucieboy
Have a look at Ardex A23 or A38 (special rapid hardening cement for screeds)- both available in 25 kg bags although not sure of cost. They've got a good Technical Dept - give them a call to get a bit more detail. Amtico is known as a "resilient" floor covering.
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 6:07 pm
by rab1
If your only looking for a thin self leveling screed then latex based is specified for all contracts due to quick drying times and Amtico recommend it. You mix the cement based powder with the liquid latex and can lay 24hrs or less later depending on area temp normally less.
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:22 pm
by lutonlagerlout
because of a difference of 25 mm in the floor levels between 2 rooms that will become 1 the client has mooted removing the screed and relaying to correct levels
25mm is a bit thick for latex
as a side issue the whole area is covered in parquet flooring
anyone got any ninja tips for removing this?
LLL
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:33 pm
by Brucieboy
If you go with a 25mm overlay to match the level of the other floor, it should be properly bonded to the screed below (assuming it’s is in good condition) otherwise you risk curling later on. This requires removal of any parquet adhesive, scabble to provide a key and apply a proprietary bonding agent. Do not allow the bonding agent to dry when laying the new screed. To remove the adhesive, it might have to be done chemically if not possible with the use of a scraper.
When you take up the parquet flooring in the other room, you’ve still got to remove the adhesive which, on completion, will probably require a thin self-levelling latex compound overlay to ensure the screed is flat enough for Amtico.
Personally, I’d go with the client on this one and re-screed from scratch (assuming you’re good at it and can achieve the necessary flatness for Amtico). Imperfections stand out like a sore thumb. Note that an unbonded screed must be a minimum of 50mm thick.
Either way, I’d have a word with the guys laying the Amtico as well as Ardex for their opinions and advice.
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 11:41 pm
by rab1
wrecking bar and rip snorter unless you plan to sell the wood.
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 12:00 am
by rab1
Bruce, I've worked a couple of nuclear/radiation jobs and the concrete was poured in batches over 48hrs constantly, the lads doing the pour said there was lead in the mix, is that true.
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 12:22 am
by Brucieboy
Yes rab - lead shot aggregate is used in concrete for radiation protection. It's very high density compared to normal concrete so a 6m3 truck might not carry much more than 2m3 - depends on the specification.
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 8:18 am
by GB_Groundworks
My grandad used to head up the reactor team at frairys engineering in Manchester he had his drive scattered in this white pebbly aggregate that they used in the concrete was extremely dense I remember can't remember it's name though
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:13 am
by Brucieboy
GB - most likely barytes - it's whitish in colour. The other heavyweight natural aggregate is magnetite (more grey in colour). Iron or steel shot is also used for radiation protection. As I said, it depends on the specification.
Heavyweight aggregate (we use magnetite) is also used to produce precast concrete mats that are laid over cables on the sea bed to stop them moving.
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 6:14 pm
by rab1
2-4m thick walls and floors in this place and then they lined the walls with lead panels about an inch thick.