All You Need to Know About Screeding Concrete

Posted by Angelo Garc�a on May 27th, 2023

Construction workers always create perfectly level concrete floors. Have you ever wondered why? Well, the answer is a very important step called screeding concrete. Screeding helps ensure levelness, durability, and smoothness. Read on to know more about concrete screed, its importance and how it is done.

What is Screeding Concrete?

Screeding concrete is one step before the finishing of the floor. This step involves levelling of the concrete using powdered or manual screed. Concrete screeding is a process where a well-blended mixture of water, cement, and sand is added to form a levelled and solid sub-floor before the final floor is finished. Concrete screed is placed to provide a suitable base before the installation of the finished flooring. Once this process is completed, the final flooring like tiles, wood, or marble is made to rest on the concrete screed.

Mixing Proportion of Concrete Screed

Normal concrete is a proportion of aggregates, cement, and water. Their exact proportions vary based on requirements. However, concrete screed is a thin layer of mixture of sand, water, and cement to give a levelled finish to the floor. The proportion in screed is generally 5 parts of sand and 1 part of cement. The sand used is generally 0 to 4mm size.

In cases where heavy duty screed is used, the proportion is different. It is a mixture of 1 part 6 -10mm aggregates, 1 part cement, and 3 parts 0-4mm sand. Heavy duty screed can withstand more load.

How to Screed Concrete

The method and equipment used is according to the screed area. It will also vary according to the wet screeding concrete size.

Small Area Projects 

If you are pouring concrete only for a few square meters of your backyard, or a small parking space, or a sidewalk, you can screed concrete entirely manually. The materials required for the manual method are manual concrete screed, ready-mixed concrete, tape measure, stones, concrete rake, shovel, hand tamper, concrete hand trowel, nail, hammer, and wooden board for form work.

Construction Process

• With a tape measure, chalk out where the concrete should be laid. Then run a string line at the height of the concrete.

• The areas where concrete screed will be applied should be cleared.

• Set up forms to outline the area where concrete will be poured and ensure they are at the proper height. Anchor the forms to the ground to ensure they do not move when pouring concrete.

• Place sand or pea gravel down on the foundation where you would be spreading concrete. A hand tamper will help tamp down the foundation.

• Now prepare the concrete manually by mixing it according to the concrete mix. The mix ratio is Sand: Cement: Stone: Water. The weight ratio would be 1:1.18:2.63:0.41.

• To pour the concrete into the framework, 2 people are required. One person should use a rake to lift the concrete above the form work and the other person should use a hand screed to scrape the wet concrete flat.

• As you are pouring concrete ensure all air pockets are removed using a vibrator, poking holes while pouring, or taking a hammer and taping the sides of the form.

• After about 20 minutes, a hand trowel must be used to provide a finishing on the concrete surface.

• Leave the concrete to set completely. It is recommended to avoid walking on the concrete for 48 hours. To prevent concrete from cracking, water must be sprayed to cure concrete.

Large Area Projects

For large areas, concrete screeding requires certain type of equipment, which makes screeding concrete easy.

• Laser screeds: These screeds are used in very big construction projects like industrial plants, airports, warehouses etc. Laser screeds are used in such large constructions because a levelled and flat concrete surface is critical. They help cover large concrete areas accurately and reduce labor and time output.

• Roller screed: Concrete roller screed is a device used for slopes, and slabs. This equipment is a spinning pipe that helps smooth high spots thereby producing a levelled surface. Roller screed does not use vibration and produces a more long lasting and durable concrete surface.

• Power screed: Power screed is a widely used concrete screed machine to screed concrete. It is applicable for many types of construction projects. It improves the overall quality of the construction process.

Conclusion

Concrete screed is crucial for creating a durable and levelled foundation for any flooring project. At Lura Screed, we have a lightweight, rugged, and durable design of concrete roller screeds which ensures superior slabs in every pour. If you are looking for a superior finish on your concrete project, please reach out to us. Proudly made in America, versatility is the key to our concrete roller screeds which makes no pour too small, too big, or too challenging.