Equipment and tools for creating floor screeds

A sturdy and even floor screed must be made for every building or remodeling project. A seamless and effective process can be ensured by using the proper tools and equipment. Having the appropriate tools on hand is essential for producing high-quality results, regardless of whether you’re a professional contractor or a do-it-yourself enthusiast.

To start, you’ll need a dependable mixing instrument, like a mixing drill or cement mixer, to make sure your screed mixture is homogeneous and lump-free. In order to achieve a uniform surface, this step is essential. Additionally, for moving and mixing materials on-site, a wheelbarrow or a mixing bucket can be useful.

Next, in order to create a smooth and even surface, leveling tools such as spirit levels, screed boards, and laser levels are necessary. With the aid of these tools, you can ensure that the screed is applied uniformly throughout the entire floor area and attain the required levelness. By using these tools, common problems like dips and uneven surfaces can be avoided.

Lastly, to finish the screed, a trowel or float are required. These instruments aid in surface smoothing and material removal. A power trowel can be used to ensure a professional finish and expedite the process on larger areas. Possessing the proper tools not only facilitates work but also raises the caliber of output.

Equipment	Tools
Concrete mixer	Leveling rake
Water pump	Trowel
Wheelbarrow	Measuring tape
Laser level	Hand float

What does the concept include??

From the preparation of the concrete base to the surface treatment of the new screed layer, the following tools and equipment are included in the required list:

• dismantling the old coating – a hammer drill or jackhammer, a crowbar, a chisel or all kinds of spatulas;
• removal of construction waste – large bags, dustpans, brooms or mops, vacuum cleaners for removing small debris and concrete dust;
• marking and setting the height points of the future screed on the walls (in the lower part) along the perimeter of the room – building levels, or a laser or hydraulic level, drawing accessories (tape measure, markers, rulers);
• applying adhesives, solutions – trowels, spatulas, rollers, brushes;
• preparing the solution – buckets, etc. containers and sticks or other available materials for thoroughly kneading until smooth;
• setting the thickness/height of the screed and straight, even directions – beacons, wedge rule or metal profiles and wooden blocks/boards, trowel, trowel;
• arrangement of damper tape, hydro- and sound-proofing layers – scissors or knives, staplers and tapes, fasteners, hammers, drills, screwdrivers.

It is necessary to use a cutting tool, such as a grinder, when installing reinforced metal mesh.

Specialized equipment such as vibrators, mortar mixers, and small concrete mixers are used to prepare cement mortar for large areas. Processing the completed floor requires the use of a trowel, which eliminates any roughness and gives the coating a flawlessly smooth appearance and strength.

Without specialized tools and equipment, working with a solid concrete base and cement mortar is not possible.

Requirements for devices

The selection of equipment ought to be in line with the volume of work undertaken, considering factors such as the facility’s size, area, number of stories, and proximity to the settlement. Because the equipment is heavy in addition to the materials themselves, consideration must be given to the building’s condition, wear resistance, and maximum floor loads.

It makes sense to select a tool with minimal dimensions and replace heavy equipment with alternative devices, such as special vibrators in place of concrete mixers, if you need to screed small rooms or rooms, or if the work will be done on high floors. You should also typically use a reduced length.

The equipment should be examined to make sure it is in good operating order at idle speed before using it. To run the equipment, there must be enough power in the electrical network. It is dangerous to use equipment that produces a lot of exhaust gases, such as gasoline, in enclosed spaces.

To prevent unintentional harm, tools and equipment should be cleaned, dried, or wiped with a cloth after use. Then, they should be stored somewhere that kids and animals cannot reach. Never use equipment that isn’t intended for the task at hand.

A concrete mixer, screed bar, level, and other necessary tools are needed to create a high-quality floor screed. This indispensable toolkit guarantees a level, smooth surface that serves as a strong basis for a variety of floor coverings. Floor screeding is a doable task for both professionals and do-it-yourselfers, provided they have the right tools to achieve a professional finish.

What you need?

Different lists of tools and equipment are needed for different types of screed. Furthermore, all work can be separated into three primary phases, each requiring a different set of tools.

To create the screed itself

Trowels, a wedge rule, and beacons must be installed in order to directly create an even screed. However, preliminary work has already begun.

Preparation and marking

Using the tools from the above list, furniture is taken out of the building, outdated coverings are taken down, and trash is removed.

To mark, the constructor will require:

• water level or laser level;
• beacons, an aluminum rule 1.5-2.5 m long in the form of a metal ruler, pointed on one side – when used in conjunction with a ridge, it will help make expansion joints;
• yardstick;
• rope or fishing line.

Levels aid in determining the screed’s thickness and height. The correct installation of beacons in the same plane will be ensured by stretched fishing lines (at designated marks from the level).

It will be sufficient to use a building level (flask-bubble) for small spaces.

The future screed’s thickness is determined by the beacons’ height. These modules need to be securely fastened and precisely sized.

In order to prevent bending when pulling or moving the rule, the rule profile needs to be robust. This is necessary for the screed to be perfectly even. Utilizing profiles is possible:

• with self-tapping screws;
• ceiling 60×27;
• for drywall 27×28.

The antiquated method of using wooden blocks in place of profiles requires that the blocks be soaked beforehand to prevent the wood from "pulling" water out of the screed. Additionally, it is a good idea to treat wooden blocks with antiseptics to prevent rotting and other damage to the wood.

Preparation of the solution

Because there are three possible types of screed—dry, semi-dry, and wet—and because there are multiple ways to make a solution, there are also variations in the tools and equipment needed for the job:

• buckets for kneading – the best option is large construction plastic buckets with a metal handle and reliable fastening (wear-resistant and durable) or rubber containers with the addition of rubber;
• containers in the form of rounded galvanized baths made of metal or barrels – they, in comparison with rectangular containers, have no angles, which is convenient when kneading;
• shovels – professionals recommend choosing the “American” model with a practical design for attaching the handle.

You will require a concrete mixer and solution containers (trays or wheelbarrows) if you need to install screed in a large room or with a thick layer of screed. In order to prepare the solution for use in a multi-story building, mixers are utilized.

Dry

A layer of expanded clay is spread evenly, slabs are positioned and fixed, and other carefully chosen extra layers of the pie are added. This is known as dry screeding. Apply:

• metal generally, strips, slats-profiles (made of aluminum) guides and leveling with different lengths;
• knives, scissors – for cutting heat and moisture insulation materials, gypsum fiber board sheets and edge tape.

The light and stiff profile guarantees the level and height of the elongated clay layer. The guiding beacons help the rule quickly level expanded clay across all surfaces.

The friction force during the claymzite layer alignment process is reduced by the beacon profile itself.

Fastening materials and tools (drills, screwdrivers) are used to secure the screed cake’s components.

Semi-dry

Its characteristic is the requirement for costly equipment:

• for high-quality mixing of a thick semi-dry consistency of cement mortar;
• feeding PSP;
• rubbing of the finished screed – for final smoothing of the surface.

Because a set of equipment costs less than a million rubles, only large construction companies can afford to buy it. This equipment is typically rented for one-time projects or small spaces.

A collection of specialized tools for semi-dry screed ensures that a thick, homogenous mass of solution with a lower water content is created, and that it is supplied consistently. In addition, it yields a flawlessly smooth coating at the conclusion of the job and cuts labor costs by three times.

The pumping apparatus uses a pneumatic pump. It will autonomously prepare the necessary working mixture and transport it over long distances—up to 200 m in length and 50–70 m in height—under pressure (using hoses of different lengths) to the work point. Machine productivity is 3.5 m3/min, with a weight of 500–2,000 kg.

Using a trowel, one can compact, level and smooth the surface, remove surplus material, and eliminate any spaces. Its working surface resembles one or two discs, and it has up to four blades. Up to 40–60 kg of machine weight, 2 kW of power, and 50–100 rpm per minute are possible.

Wet

All of the aforementioned tools are required when selecting the wet floor screed technique. However, no equipment is needed to prepare the cement mortar because it is made in a liquid form (for standard apartments).

Professionals use drill mixers, hammer drills with mixer attachments, construction vibrators, and large containers when mixing mortar. Concrete mixers (with electric drive) should be used as equipment for large premises.

Auxiliary Tools

Different auxiliary tools might be required depending on the type of screed device chosen. These include:

• metal hacksaw – for adjusting the size of the reinforced mesh, cutting (when preparing the base) irregularities on the surface of concrete made of metal (reinforcement);
• jigsaw – for cutting sheets of material for layers of screed cake;
• hammer drills – for dismantling the old coating;
• professional trowels – indispensable in hard-to-reach places (corners, non-standard recesses) where a trowel cannot “reach”.

Wearing overalls and personal protective equipment is recommended. Wearing concrete shoes, workers walk on newly laid screed; knee pads come in handy as well.

For alignment

In addition to trowels, they also use a rule and a trowel (the techniques are explained above).

Regarding the cars in the video in more detail:

Why is it important to choose the right one??

When should one start choosing tools and equipment?

• all necessary calculations have been carried out;
• the optimal option for preparing the screed has been selected;
• materials purchased.

Making a list of the tools and, if needed, equipment that will be needed for the task is all that is left to do. then purchase or lease it. Actually, the farm has the majority of the tools.

When the right tools are chosen and used competently, work-related delays caused by a shortage of prepared tools can be avoided.On the other hand, equipment that was bought with tools not needed for a particular screed pouring technique can be avoided.

Making a floor screed of the highest caliber requires careful selection of the appropriate tools and equipment. The longevity and appearance of your flooring can be improved by creating a smooth and durable surface using the appropriate combination of finishing tools, leveling devices, and preparation tools.

Purchasing top-notch equipment not only simplifies the procedure but also guarantees superior outcomes. Every piece of equipment, from sophisticated machinery like mixers and laser levels to simple hand tools like trowels and screed bars, is essential to the screeding process.

Never undervalue the significance of maintaining and using tools properly. To preserve the life and efficacy of your tools, clean and store them properly. Knowing how to use each tool correctly can help you save time and lower the possibility of mistakes.

With the correct equipment and know-how, you can take on floor screeding projects with assurance and consistently produce a polished result. Having the proper tools is essential for success whether you’re a professional contractor or a do-it-yourself enthusiast.

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