What is Pump Screed?
Pump screed application | Pump screed is a liquid style, fast curing, self-levelling floor finish. It is used as a levelling screed or to improve the surface of the subfloor prior to the application of a resin finish.
While screed and concrete have similar applications, screed is more specific in its use. Screed is a high performance, self-levelling, and durable floor finish suitable for the toughest environments, whereas concrete can degrade over time and with high traffic.
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Why is it called a Pump Screed?
Pump screed gets its name from the Screed pump machine used to prepare it. This machine allows for a uniform screed mixture, distributing cement and additives evenly throughout the sand while adding water. The screed pump machine has a long pipe that enables the transfer of screed via the long pipe to the intended floor areas.
Why do I need to have a pump screed?
If the subfloor is uneven or degraded, applying a pump screed prior to a resin coating system will give a better, more even finish to the final topcoat. Resin coating systems alone do not hide imperfections in the subfloor surface and hence can accentuate any imperfections in the floor if they have a glossy finish.
We were approached by Ices Electrical & Maintenance Ltd to refurbish a cementitious screed and resin floor. Ices Electrical are a leading inventory management and technical services company based in Nottingham. Upon inspection, it was obvious that it would be beneficial to lay an 8mm DCP cementitious screed to the entire area before applying a 3 coat epoxy resin coating system. The 2548 square metre area had been previously used as a production area and the floor was particularly uneven and pitted.
To prepare for the 8mm cementitious screed and coating system, we removed the existing epoxy resin coatings from the floor. Then, we thoroughly cleaned it. After that, we prepared the existing concrete main floor surface. This was done by using a heavy shot blast via a totally enclosed ride-on shot blasting machine and a double-headed diamond grinding machine. We then used a handheld diamond grinding machine to prepare the edges before repairing the damages. The damages included: localised concrete, expansion joints, holes, and cracks with a polyurethane mortar compound.
The Pump Screed Application
To prevent moisture, we applied one coat of DCP DPM (Damp Proof Membrane) epoxy resin priming system. Next, we incorporated heavy scatters of 0.6 to 1.2mm quartz aggregate. Then, we applied the machine-pumped nominal 8mm heavy-duty DCP Cemflow topping cementitious screed. This was important for improving mechanical grip.
Once dry the 3 coat epoxy resin coating system consisted of a Resdev WD epoxy resin priming coat. Then, we applied two more coats of Resdev Pumatect high build. After that, we applied two coats of epoxy resin in the client’s chosen light grey to the entire floor area.
Finally, we saw cut 280 linear meters of 6mm x 10mm expansion joints. We then knocked them out and infilled them with jointing compound to prevent cracking from sub-movement in the original concrete.
Mr Sam Corkish, Projects Director for Ices Electrical & Maintenance Ltd said “PSC Flooring has done a great job. As quoted, the work took two working weeks, and we completed the floor well in time for the racking company. The new warehouse will make a tremendous difference to our business and the flooring system, installed by PSC. This will protect our investment.”
Want to find out more about our high standard Pump Screed Application? Then contact us today at PSC Flooring for a free site survey! Furthermore, you may also want to check out our previous blog on the Why are expansion joints so important? or Everything You Need to Know About Polyurethane Screeds