Starting repairs in the house, the owners of apartments and houses often think about how much time will be needed for these manipulations. Duration of work in most cases is an unpleasant surprise. As one of the difficult stages of repair, laying the screed. This process involves preparing the surface before refining the rough base with decorative materials. If you decide that the leveling will be carried out by arranging the screed, it is important to know how much the screed is drying. In order to answer this question, many factors should be taken into account, among them: layer thickness, floor covering, which is supposed to be laid on top, drying conditions, as well as material for work. If you are faced with the question of how much the floor screed dries, then do not confuse the period of complete solidification with the setting time. The last stage is the period after which you can move around the surface. As for complete drying or solidification, it represents the time when the screed is completely deprived of moisture and is suitable for further finishing work.
Drying period for gypsum-based screeds
If you wondered how much screed dries, then you need to consider what will form the basis of the solution. If we are talking about levelers, then they are made on a cement or gypsum basis. The latter variety sets in 4 hours, while complete drying can occur only after a week. It is after such a period of time that you can begin to lay linoleum, parquet, carpet or laminate. A self-leveling mixture can be poured onto the surface thus prepared . If you decide to use the tile as a decorative finish, which will lie on a gypsum screed, then you can start laying work after 4 days. It should be noted that these calculations are valid only for that screed, the thickness of which does not exceed 40 millimeters. If you are faced with the question of how much screed dries, then you need to remember that a more massive layer will dry much longer.
The dependence of the drying time of the gypsum screed on the thickness of the layer
If you decide how much screed should dry, then it is important to consider that 42 hours will be necessary for 10 millimeters of gypsum floor thickness. This period is one day and 18 hours. If the mentioned thickness is exceeded, then for every 10 millimeters, approximately 90 hours should be added, which is three days and 18 hours. Thus, to dry the screed of 80 millimeters, 3 weeks will be necessary.
Cement Screed Drying Period
If you thought about how long the cement-based screed dries, then it is worth remembering that the period will be more impressive compared to the above option. As the basis of the calculations, all the same 40 millimeters will be taken. A week will be needed for a 10 mm screed. If you have to lay a layer more than 40 millimeters, then an additional 10 millimeters must be added 15 days. It will be possible to wait for the screed to dry in 80 millimeters in two, maximum 3 months. If you set yourself the task of laying a massive layer, then you should use special light compounds. Such a rough floor will not exert such significant loads on the supporting structures, and will dry slightly longer.
Sanding concrete screed drying time
After you know how much the cement screed dries , you will probably want to know about the period of curing with sand concrete. This composition is a cross between cement mortar and concrete. The mixture is excellent for arranging floor screed. During the laying of the solution, it is necessary to seal, trying to get rid of air bubbles. A similar subfloor will dry as much as a cement screed. Thus, for the readiness of the 5-centimeter layer for further work, it will take 30 days. However, on sale you can find quick-drying mixtures that will allow for repair work in a shorter time.
About the drying time of concrete screed
Quite often, home masters before starting repairs ask themselves how much the concrete screed dries . If the thickness does not exceed 4 centimeters, then for every centimeter a week will be necessary for complete solidification. For a more impressive screed thickness, it is necessary to lay a time increased by 2 times for an additional centimeter. This indicates that a concrete floor of 8 cm will dry for 12 weeks.
Drying period for semi-dry screeds
If you will settle out a semi-dry screed, it is important to know about the time it dries. On average, this will take 2 weeks. If the work is done in the winter, then two weeks will not be enough. With a layer thickness that does not exceed 50 millimeters, complete drying takes place after 15 days. If you plan to lay a 70 mm layer, it will be necessary to wait 21 days before further work. In the 100 mm layer, drying will occur in 28 days. But after 12 hours it will already be possible to walk on the surface of the screed. It is important to ensure the correct temperature at the drying stage, the range can vary from 22 to 25 degrees, it is necessary to withstand a certain humidity, which should not exceed 65%.
Concrete screed laying technology
Before starting work, it is necessary to determine the zero level marked on the wall. Around the perimeter of the room it is necessary to draw a line that will determine the surface of the rough floor. After the waterproofing is laid, which slightly enters the surface of the walls. Guiding beacons will make it possible to level the surface, and their installation is carried out on a solution or using self-tapping screws. Concrete is poured from the far corner slightly above the level of the lighthouses. At the next stage, a rule comes into play that can be used to level each section. After the concrete sets a little, it can be treated with a grater, which will eliminate the influx. During the hardening process, the rough floor is sprayed with water.
Conclusion
Regardless of which technology you will use - a semi-dry screed or a wet method, it is necessary to follow the rules in the process, only then the result will be expected. It is important to take into account the drying time of the screed, as well as the strength it sets, since this will depend on how long the repair in your house or apartment will turn out to be.