Using a plasticizer for screed

Choosing the proper mixture when laying floor screed is essential to a sturdy, long-lasting base. Especially when working with large areas, a plasticizer is an additive that can help your screed become more workable and easier to spread. It strengthens the mixture’s flow without adding more water, which could degrade the outcome.

In addition to making the process simpler, using a plasticizer contributes to the creation of a screed that is less prone to shrink or break as it dries. This implies that your floor will be more stable and smoother, ready for any finish you decide on.

This post will discuss the advantages of using a plasticizer for your screed and provide advice on how to use it properly for optimal results.

What does the use of plasticizers give?

The additives known as plasticizers for floor screeds stand out for their exceptional adaptability. The characteristics of such a component are as follows:

1. Even a small amount of material can significantly increase the level of strength.
2. The coating becomes resistant to low temperatures. Thus, the screed is not subject to deformation at temperatures below -20 degrees.
3. The time for pouring and drying the solution is significantly reduced.
4. The plasticizer neutralizes the effects of chlorides, which lead to corrosion. This is very important when laying reinforcement and elements of a warm floor.
5. Due to the removal of excess air from the mixture, the density of the poured layer increases.
6. The required amount of water is significantly reduced.
7. Absence of a sharp or unpleasant odor, also the composition does not emit substances harmful to health.

Vital! For the intended indicators to be obtained, it is imperative that the proportions be carefully considered. Falsely, a lot of people believe that recipes are improved by adding more ingredients. This is the cause of the solution’s failure to acquire the necessary properties.

Types of plasticizers

There are numerous kinds of materials available today, each with a unique structure. The concentration and presence of the required components in the additive must be considered for the screed solution to acquire the required properties. The options that are available are as follows:

1. Liquid. Completely ready for use, it is thoroughly mixed beforehand and added in the required amount.
2. Dry. Differs from the liquid variety in that it has a longer shelf life due to the absence of water in the composition. Before use, it is necessary to add the required amount of liquid.
3. Based on polyamide substances that give the screed a reinforcing effect. This helps to increase the strength of the solution and prevents cracking.
4. Antifreeze. This component allows you to maintain the properties of the material even at low temperatures.

However, which additive is best suited for usage? Every component has specific technical features that are best used in a given circumstance. Thus, the liquid version is mixed into the composition more quickly and effectively, while the dry mixture aids in increasing the homogeneity of the solution.

Please be aware that you can mix the additive with a mixer or a simple drill attachment. Mixing by hand is not an option.

Features and composition of additives

Varieties exist based on the chemical makeup of the plasticizer in addition to structural variations. The final solution’s quality is influenced by the presence of these substances.

Thus, a lot of artisans point out that the following elements need to be present in the additive:

• caustic soda solution;
• formaldehyde;
• phenol-based components;
• sulfuric acid;
• defoamer.

Properly chosen additives have a big impact on the floor covering screed mixture. This leads to the emergence of several essential properties:

• the mixture prepared for work acquires the necessary viscosity, which ensures the self-leveling effect;
• setting occurs faster;
• filling activities can be carried out at lower temperatures, different from the optimal ones.

Because the ingredients in plasticizer are very aggressive, take care not to get them on your skin or mucous membranes. At all times when working, gloves and safety glasses are worn.

The workability of the mixture is increased when a plasticizer is added to screed, which facilitates application and more even spreading. In addition, it makes the screed stronger and more resilient, which lowers the possibility of cracks and guarantees a smoother, longer-lasting finish. This small adjustment can have a significant impact on the flooring foundation’s quality.

Using additives for underfloor heating

Plasticizer is an essential part of underfloor heating screed. For the composition to have specific qualities and traits, it must be added.

1. Significantly increases the strength of the poured coating.
2. Thermal expansion is reduced.
3. Thermal conductivity and resistance to temperature fluctuations are increased.
4. The level of susceptibility to corrosion of heating system elements is reduced.
5. The number of air bubbles is significantly reduced.

Actually, a lot of people who install floor heating systems disregard this advice, particularly when mixing the mixture on their own before pouring the screed. There are drawbacks to this situation:

• The solution used, especially on a cement base, is subject to constant expansion due to temperature fluctuations, which leads to the appearance of deformations and numerous cracks.
• Air bubbles present in the composition contribute to a significant increase in the temperature inside the floor covering, this disrupts the operation of the entire heating system.
• High thermal conductivity is not inherent in the standard mixture, it is the presence of plasticizers that increases this parameter and increases the overall efficiency.

Therefore, it’s wise to confirm ahead of time if the pre-made materials you choose for screed pouring on a heated floor include the required additives.

Product consumption

Accurately calculating the active components is among the most crucial steps. The situation should be taken into consideration when determining the necessary quantity of a substance. For instance, components are added in small amounts to increase strength; however, this figure increases several times during the installation of a heated floor.

In order to produce a high-quality output, several factors are considered:

1. You should strictly follow the instructions placed by the manufacturer on the label.
2. The total amount of additives mixed in cannot exceed 10% of the total volume of cement.
3. The amount of liquid plasticizer should not exceed 1.5 liters per 150 g of cement.

Using an electric tool to thoroughly mix the additive guarantees that the component is distributed correctly.

Adding a plasticizer to your screed mixture is an easy yet powerful method to raise the caliber and longevity of the finished surface. It takes less effort to achieve a smoother, more even finish when the mix is more workable.

Furthermore, using a plasticizer can help cut down on the amount of water required, which lowers the possibility of cracks and other common problems during the curing process. As a result, the screed becomes stronger and more durable, better able to bear the rigors of regular use.

All things considered, anyone wishing to build a durable, high-quality floor would be wise to include a plasticizer into their screed mixture. It’s a minor change that can have a significant impact on the outcome.

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