Getting the Perfect Wooden Floor (after Screeding)

February 2015
wooden floors over screed
 

A gorgeous wooden floor can enhance the character and value of your home. But several problems, such as buckling, cupping, cracking, squeaking, and discoloration, could easily destroy your floor as well as your dream of having a beautiful, stylish interior…

When choosing a wooden floor, most home owners forget a very essential aspect: wood is a natural material, which contracts and expands in response to fluctuations in humidity. This issue along with significant deviations in flatness, or surface regularity, can negatively impact your entire floor.For a perfect wooden floor, a home owner should:

Never install the final floor too soon – As home owners, we know how stressful it can be to replace an old floor and screed. We know, you cannot wait to see your beautiful wooden floor complementing your living space. However, laying the floor finish before the sub-floor is completely dry is one of the biggest mistakes someone can make. Although the screed may look dry, the residual moisture trapped underneath will try to rise to the surface. Consequent problems include buckling, cupping, cracking, discoloration due to mould growth, and poor adhesion between the floor and substrate, which may contribute to the debonding of the floor. 

Opt for moisture assessment – Accurately assessing moisture content within the screed is very important before the installation of a wooden floor. If the test shows high moisture content, the screed must be allowed to dry sufficiently before installing the final floor. In areas with high relative humidity and residual moisture levels, specialists recommend installing damp proof membranes, or DPMs,  after laying the screed. Ask for a calcium carbide test to make sure your screed is completely dry.

Ask for surface regularity testing – Flatness or surface regularity of screeds can be verified with a straight edge of at least 2m long, which must be placed in contact with the screed surface. Any deviations between the screed surface and the straight edge can be measured with special devices, such as a slip gauge. Another test, known as level surveying, is usually performed to assess departure from datum, which should not exceed ±15mm. For accurate results, laser level surveys are usually done with electronic devices, which deliver accurate laser level profiles.

With a wealth of experience in the screeding industry, the screeders working at HomeScreed are ready to install a faultless, durable screed so that your wooden floor will show its rich, elegant tones basking in smooth finishes for many years to come.Do you want to find out more about how to get the perfect screed for your project? Download our free “Essential guide to the perfectly screeded floor“.   

HomeScreed is a division on CSC Screeding Ltd