Repairing screed - you don't always have to lay new screed
In the past, screed was only known as the base for the actual floor covering. It was the layer between (hopefully) efficient insulation and a beautiful parquet, tile or laminate floor. Nowadays, screed can do much more. It is used not only as an intermediate layer, but also for the installation of underfloor heating or even shines as a visible screed instead of an additional floor covering. This makes it all the more important to maintain the screed and repair even small cracks. In today's article, we show you how you can repair screed!
Causes of damage and cracks in the screed
If the screed is cracked, many builders immediately think about replacing it and the immense costs that can be incurred. However, this is often not even necessary, as screed can also be repaired.
However, before you start a repair, it is important to think about the cause of the crack. After all, it wouldn't do any good if you repaired the crack in the screed and new damage appeared next to it after a while.
The most common causes of a crack in the screed are
- Incorrect mixing ratio during installation
- Missing expansion and contraction joints
- Screed laid too thin
- Incorrect processing of the screed
- Absence of the separating layer
- Pressure-sensitive(incorrect) insulation
- Premature loading
- Excessive load
While the last point indicates your own misconduct and can easily be rectified in the future, the other points should be classified as construction defects. If a professional construction company has worked here, it is important to commission a building expert. If the crack was caused by previous construction defects, this construction company is liable.
Repairing damage to the screed
How exactly a crack in the screed can be repaired depends primarily on the damage. Is the crack only superficial? Is the crack deep, but does not reach the insulation layer? Or is the crack so deep that even the insulation layer has been damaged?
In the first two cases, it is probably still possible to repair the screed. If the crack has penetrated the insulation layer, a specialist construction company must be commissioned in any case. Deep cracks can not only damage pipes but, in the worst case, also the statics of the entire house.
Simple instructions for DIY enthusiasts
If the crack is only superficial, an experienced DIY enthusiast with a lot of skill can attempt the repair. However, if you are not sure, we strongly recommend that you contact a construction company and at least have the experts take a look.
- First clean the crack and then open it up along its entire length using a cutting disk.
- Next come the cross sections. These are placed at right angles to the actual crack at a distance of about 25 cm and are about 10 cm long.
- In the next step, half of the cleaned, grease-free, dry crack is filled with casting resin. This is a mixture of two components based on epoxy resin.
- In the next step, screed clamps are inserted into the cross-sections. It is important that these disappear completely into the cut.
- Now fill the crack with resin up to the top edge. Be sure to remove the excess resin.
- After a drying time of about one hour, quartz sand is sprinkled on the treated surface.
- The excess quartz sand is then vacuumed off after a four-hour drying time.
When carrying out repairs, make sure you wear adequate protective clothing in the form of (at least) gloves, a breathing mask and safety goggles.
Conclusion: repairing screed often makes more sense than laying a new one
The screed is an important component and should be maintained accordingly and repaired if necessary . In the event of damage, however, it is not necessary to replace the entire layer - you can often repair the screed. Superficial cracks can also be repaired by an experienced DIY enthusiast. In this case, make sure you work particularly meticulously and cleanly.
However, if you want to be on the safe side, you should hire a professional construction company. The "Wir verlegen Estrich" team consists of experienced specialists who are passionate about their profession. Contact us and we will provide you with a non-binding & free quote!
