How Long Does It Take Screed To Dry?
When laying flooring, screed is an integral part of the process. Without it, you could end up with a wonky surface, leading to an uneven floor, which will likely cause plenty of frustration in the future. So, you need to factor screed pouring and curing time into your project timelines. Of course, to do this, you need to know the answer to how long does screed take to dry.
Whether you use dry screed or liquid screed, it is used to level out the surface, so your final flooring will be straight and ready for use. On top of this, screed is an excellent thermal conductor, meaning it can enhance the energy efficiency of underfloor heating if you are also installing that.
But, before you crack on with your project after laying the screed down, you need to ensure it is allowed the proper curing time so that it reaches its full strength.
At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we are experts at all things concrete and screed. We supply both traditional (dry) screed and liquid screed and pumping solutions to reach any difficult project sites.
In this blog, we explain the different drying times needed for each type of screed and the factors that can impact it.
Typical Curing Times
A general rule of thumb for all screed types is that they have an initial curing time of around 24-48 hours.
During this time, the screed dries enough for light foot traffic, meaning you can walk across it to start other bits of work around the project.
However, this doesn’t mean that the surface is completely dry.
For the depth of the surface to dry out completely, it takes time - but how much time depends on several factors:
- Type of screed
- Thickness
- Environmental conditions
We know it is helpful to know you can walk on it after the first couple of days. But to create an accurate project time frame, you need to know when you can lay the final flooring.
Drying Times for Different Types of Screed
The different types of screed have slightly different characteristics, meaning they have various curing times.
So, how long does screed take to dry?
It is important that you know the right drying time for the screed you use so that you don’t add final flooring before it’s completely dry.
- Traditional dry screed - needs roughly one day per mm for up to 40mm thickness. Anything over that will only need 0.5mm per day. This means it can take several weeks for the screed to completely dry.
- Fast-drying screed - typically takes around four to seven days to cure completely, depending on the brand and thickness.
- Liquid screed - similar to dry screed, liquid screed needs one day per mm up to 40mm of thickness. However, it does usually need slightly more drying time as it has more moisture than a dry screed.
- Self-levelling screed - usually takes 7 days to cure fully.
Of course, there are a few things that will impact how quickly your screed will dry.
Factors That Affect Screed Drying Times
When calculating how long the screed will take to dry, you need to factor in the following:
- Thickness of the layer - obviously, the thicker the layer, the longer it will take to dry.
- Humidity and temperature - warmer and well-ventilated areas usually mean quicker drying times.
- Use of underfloor heating - using underfloor heating can help accelerate moisture evaporation, but it needs to be done gradually.
You can keep an eye on the curing process by moisture testing. Using a moisture meter, you can measure the dryness at each stage of the curing process so you can be confident that the surface is completely dry before installing the final flooring.
Can You Speed Up Screed Drying?
If you have a tight time frame, you can speed up the curing process with a few techniques.
- Improving ventilation and air circulation
- Using dehumidifiers or fans in controlled environments
- Consider fast-drying screed
Speak To Our Screed Experts
Screed drying times vary depending on the type of screed you use. While you can walk on the surface after 24-48 hours, you need to give it more time to properly cure before laying the flooring on top.
Factors such as thickness, environmental conditions and underfloor heating usage will impact the drying time, so you need to take these into consideration when calculating your screed curing time and project timeline.
At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we have over 25 years of combined experience in the concrete industry. We are the team to turn to for dry and liquid screed across the South Coast.
Our experience and knowledge of screed means we can work with you to provide the right screed for your project and advise on curing time frames that will fit your overall project deadline.
Additionally, we provide an easy installation process, especially with liquid screed, thanks to our fleet of pumps that enable us to pour liquid screed into hard-to-reach areas.
If you still aren’t sure what the answer is to “How long does it take screed to dry?” don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts, and we can chat through everything you need to know about screed and help you make an informed decision.
Order your liquid or dry screed from 2 Brothers today, or call us for some guidance at 01489 552737 or complete our online contact form to request a callback.
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