Floor screed with expanded clay: pros and cons. Wet floor screed technology with expanded clay Expanded clay floor screed with your own hands

With significant differences in floor height, if necessary, hide the communications passing in the floor or, if desired, use tiles, laminate or parquet, screed with expanded clay as a finishing coating − perfect way gender organization. And that's why.

Expanded clay - what is it?

Expanded clay is a material made from foamed baked clay. It is a porous, lightweight, heavy-duty and environmentally friendly building material. In appearance, expanded clay is granules of different fractions, often round or oval in shape.

Expanded clay floor screed is a reliable solution for long-term floor service.

Expanded clay concrete screed: stages of work

Let's consider a method of organizing a screed made of expanded clay concrete.

Surface preparation

we clean the base of the floor from dust, construction debris;
we mask holes and recesses in the floor with plaster with a cement base;
we lay waterproofing (it is possible to lay both film and insulation from liquid mastic).

Photo 1 - Waterproofing layer

Level marking, installation of beacons

On the walls, using a laser or ordinary building level, we make marks corresponding to the required height of the future screed. Expanded clay screed can take from 3 to 15 cm.

IMPORTANT! In the corners of the room, the lines drawn by you on the level of the screed should coincide with a minimum error.

It is necessary to install beacons along the lines by placing guides (you can use ceiling profiles) approximately 60 cm apart. Correctly fix the beacons on the alabaster - the cement mortar dries longer.

Expanded clay backfill

Expanded clay under the screed is poured between the guide rails and leveled with a trowel / rule. Please note that at least 2 cm must remain between the upper level of the expanded clay backfill and the upper level of the guides, i.e. the thickness of the expanded clay layer should be below the beacons - we will subsequently fill this height with a cement screed.

Photo 2 - Installation of beacons

Cement screed device

Evenly cover the surface of expanded clay with the so-called "cement milk" (pure cement is diluted in equal proportions and cement-sand mixture big amount water), lightly ramming expanded clay. Simultaneous pouring and tamping of expanded clay is necessary so that the granules of the material do not subsequently "float" to the surface of the screed. However, this is not yet a screed.

IMPORTANT! Do-it-yourself expanded clay floor screed can be arranged only after a day after the "cement milk" has dried.

Having prepared cement-sand mortar, fill it between the beacons, leveling the rule (take into account the calculation of the height of the finishing floor). The consumption of the mixture, if the layer thickness is 2 cm, is 50 kg / m².
How long does this solution dry? Until completely solidified - at least 14 days, however, after a day, when the solution is just set, remove the beacons, filling the voids formed with the solution (the beacons can not be dismantled if expanded clay was laid in the voids under the guides). Minor unevenness of the screed, if necessary, rubbed with cement mortar.

Photo 3 - Backfilling of expanded clay on lighthouses

IMPORTANT! The floor surface will be ready to withstand light pedestrian loads after 2 days. The final coating should be laid only after two weeks. cement composition fully hardened after 28 days.

This floor screed organization technology will provide better sound and heat insulation. The advantage of this method is that such a screed can be made with your own hands.

Before you screed with expanded clay, make sure that you have enough floor height to fill the granules and pour the cement mortar.

Photo 4 - Gradual grouting

Floor screed with expanded clay: VIDEO

$ Screed with expanded clay: price of materials

The average cost of materials for arranging such a screed:

expanded clay backfill - from $ 6.5 / 40 l;
film for waterproofing - from $ 0.8 / linear meter;
edging tape - from $ 5.7 / skein;
guides - from $ 0.9 / 3 m;
cement - from $ 4.7 / 25 kg.

$ Floor screed with expanded clay: the price of the services of masters

in Moscow - from 235 rubles / m²;
in Kyiv - from 52 UAH/m².

According to reviews, the easiest and most affordable for self-fulfillment the way to level the floor is the device of the expanded clay concrete layer. Do-it-yourself floor screed with expanded clay can be done in two ways. The choice of one or another method depends on the purpose of the room and the characteristics of the base. Accurately adhere to the technology of performing expanded clay concrete alignment will help you detailed video instructions from our article. To understand what price your screed will turn out to be, you should make its calculation. How to do it correctly, you can also learn here.

Advantages of expanded clay screed

Expanded clay is an environmentally friendly, durable and practical material, which allows you to increase the heat and sound insulation characteristics of the floor. Expanded clay screed is used if it is necessary to thoroughly raise the level of the floor. The strength of the expanded clay mixture is not lower than that of the cement mortar. In addition, the solution has the following advantages, subject to the proportion of its preparation:

good vapor and air permeability;
frost resistance;
resistance to elevated temperatures;
the material is not subject to burning, rotting and corrosion;
the low weight of the solution facilitates its transportation and installation;
expanded clay concrete allows to reduce the load on the ceiling;
the material copes even with significant irregularities of the base.

An equally important advantage of such a solution is that the floor screed with expanded clay can be laid by hand.

When is claydite concrete used?

The device of expanded clay concrete screed in some cases is simply irreplaceable:

If the height of the leveling layer is 10-15 cm, then the use of pure cement mortar or concrete is not possible due to too much load on the floor slabs. In this case, it remains only to make a composition with expanded clay.
Sometimes even a low screed is too heavy to lay on an existing floor, for example, in an old building. In this case, the device of a low expanded clay concrete layer will help not to load the ceiling.
When leveling a wooden floor with wet screeds, it is also better to use a lightweight mortar. In this case, the expanded clay leveling layer can be combined with a layer of foam or other lightweight materials.
The price of cement is not small, therefore, in order to reduce the cost of the screed, expanded clay is used as a mortar filler. According to reviews, expanded clay leveling is cheaper than using cement mortar. But don't forget to keep the proportions.

The choice of expanded clay for mortar

Expanded clay comes in different fractions. Accordingly, its price also differs. The choice of the fraction of this material is made according to the type of work. So, according to the diameter of the elements, expanded clay is divided into the following types:

expanded clay sand - fraction size from 0.1 to 5.5 mm (this material is often used when installing a dry floor screed);
round and oval expanded clay has dimensions of 5-40 mm (obtained in the process of swelling clay);
the particle size of angular expanded clay is up to 4 cm.

The last two types of granular material are used to make concrete and cement-sand screed. If you want the leveling layer to not shrink too much, it is better to use expanded clay of different fractions. To understand how much material you need to buy, you can do a simple calculation or use online calculator from the Internet.

Tip: for a leveling layer with expanded clay, it is better to choose granular material size from 5 to 20 mm.

Foundation preparation

Before laying the expanded clay concrete screed, you need to prepare the base:

The evenness of the floor must be measured with a building level.
Then, using a laser device, mark the level of the screed on the walls of the room.
Beacons are installed, starting from the highest point of the base. At this point, the screed should not be less than 6 mm.
All beacons are leveled (see video).

As beacons, you can use drywall profiles, slats, boards or pipes. Usually they are laid on mortar heaps or beds. According to reviews, it is better to lay on cement or gypsum mortar.

Dry method of expanded clay leveling device

To make a dry expanded clay screed, you need to purchase fine-grained material. Further work is carried out in this order:

The preparation of the base and the installation of beacons is done as described above.
Expanded clay is poured onto the floor and leveled so that the height of the expanded clay layer is 2-2.5 cm below the expected level of the screed. Most likely, you will not achieve a perfectly flat surface, but horizontality must be observed. You can calculate the amount of expanded clay using the online calculator on the building materials website.
Now, using the level, we check the evenness of the backfill.
To ensure better adhesion of the expanded clay layer to the screed, pour it with cement milk. As a result, a film is formed on the surface of the granular backfill, which will protect the material from shrinkage due to the absorption of moisture from the screed.

Tip: cement milk is made from water and cement in a 4: 1 ratio, that is, you need exactly twice as much water as for preparing a conventional cement mortar.

We fill the screed. With our own hands we prepare ordinary cement-sand or concrete mortar, fill it and level it with poppies using the rule. The height of the layer should be such that the mixture, when leveled, is obtained along the upper border of the beacons. To do this, we lay the rule on the guides and pull it towards ourselves, aligning the mixture.
A day later, you can take out the beacons, and prime the resulting voids and seal them with fresh mortar. The floor surface in these places is rubbed with a trowel (see video).

Wet claydite concrete leveling

After reading the reviews on the network, you can understand that this laying method allows you to reduce the time for the screed device. Work is carried out in this order:

First, the first layer is made. For this, expanded clay is mixed with a solution. It is difficult to specify the exact proportions for mixing. And the calculation will not help here. There should be just enough water to evenly wet the surface of the expanded clay. Sand with cement is added gradually until a dry, thick, homogeneous mass without lumps is obtained.
The solution is laid on the floor so thick that it does not reach 2-2.5 cm to the expected level of the screed. We level the mixture (see video).
Now, without waiting for the mixture to dry, pour finishing layer from ordinary cement-sand mortar.
Carefully align upper layer lighthouse rule.
A day later, we take out the beacons, and fill the voids with a solution after preliminary priming.

Video instruction for performing expanded clay leveling:

Calculation of expanded clay concrete

To find out how much expanded clay is needed for the screed, you need to make a simple calculation. The proportions of materials may be different, but keep in mind that the more expanded clay you add, the warmer, but less durable the screed will turn out.

The calculation of the proportion of expanded clay on the leveling layer can be done taking into account bearing capacity base, the required thermal insulation qualities of the floor and the thickness of the structure. The optimal ratio of strength and thermal conductivity of the leveling layer is achieved when expanded clay makes up half of the total volume of the solution. When calculating the price and volume of expanded clay, please note that it is supplied in bags, but is calculated in liters.

Any transformation of a living space into a new and more comfortable nest cannot do without an impeccable floor. A smooth surface not only pleases the eye with its ideality, but also represents an excellent basis for any floor covering. One of the simplest and most affordable leveling methods for everyone is a floor screed with expanded clay. But is it? Let's look into all the subtleties and twists and turns of this traditional and very popular technology.

The main properties and functions of floor screed with expanded clay backfill

In addition to the main problem that the expanded clay screed solves - high-quality leveling of any, even problematic base, adding filler performs the following tasks:

leveling;
sound insulation increases;
such screeds provide excellent thermal insulation, which, in turn, reduces the cost of heating the room. Therefore, floor insulation with expanded clay under the screed is not only the easiest, but also the most profitable choice;
due to the porous structure, expanded clay does not allow the room to overheat in the hot season.

Amorphous filler has a relatively low weight and density. But at the same time, the concrete layer gives good strength. The tandem of such building materials as a result gives rise to an excellent floor base, which not only loads the ceiling to a minimum, but also does not lose its characteristics during operation.

If we consider expanded clay and its properties in more detail, we can conclude that the porous structure endows the granules not only with heat-saving characteristics, but also with water-repellent properties. In addition, it is inert and has rare qualities - compatibility with any building material and ensuring high level adhesion.

Do-it-yourself floor screed with expanded clay is relevant in the following cases:

when the base is represented by reinforced concrete slabs;
leveling the floors under one level, with the condition of their difference of more than 10 mm;
if communications are hidden below;
concrete mix minimization;
if heating is carried out by electric or infrared method;
low noise transmission.

Expanded claythe screed is indispensable for obvious flaws in the base, which can not only appear on top coat but also spoil it.

Types of expanded clay backfill and which one to prefer

Expanded clay is a material obtained in the factory by high-temperature firing of foamed fine clay. Three types of fractions of expanded clay aggregate for floor screed are produced:

crushed stone, with coal particles, no larger than 40 mm;
gravel - round or oval granules with a fraction of up to 40 mm;
sand, with a particle size of up to 5 mm.

Depending on the type, expanded clay is used in screeds with different requirements. For a traditional screed, a fractional aggregate is used, since it is subsequently covered with either an even concrete layer or other materials that level the surface. Therefore, the size and shape of the granules are not critical.

It is an erroneous opinion that expanded clay sand is most suitable for building a basis with a minimum weight. But it has a higher density than that of a related aggregate, as a result of which the weight of the screed itself also increases.

But fine-grained sand is indispensable in cases where backfill with less shrinkage is needed, for example, to level the base with a large difference in levels - more than 10 mm. For complex areas with heavily damaged surfaces and when laying piece parquet flooring it is also best to use sand.

Types of technologies for mounting a screed with expanded clay filler

The flexible characteristics of the filler itself make it possible to use it in a different way, depending on the circumstances and the premises. There are three main types of screed installation.

Dry way

It applies to:

the device of communications at the floor level;
if you need to make a screed in a short time. After 24 hours, you can not only carry out Finishing work, but also lay the finish coating;
if there is a need to install a screed with a minimum weight;
if you want to carry out clean work;
when arranging the most heat-intensive floor.

Bulk method

Installation using bulk mixtures for various purposes. Screed device with bulk coating it is used in cases of total alignment of the base under one level, but subject to a small layer. It is the best suited for renovation in apartment buildings.

Typesetting technology

Traditional concrete screeds on expanded clay are used for warming and leveling the base. This method can be distinguished among the main ones with a relatively low cost and a large leveling layer, which is ideal for heavily damaged bases.

In any case, by whatever method the floor is pulled, the technology of others plastering works must be done in advance.

Dry screed

Let us consider in detail the dry method of installing a floor screed with expanded clay. In addition to the aggregate itself, GVLV sheets will be required, which will cover the expanded clay layer. So that in the future the screed does not sag, it is best to use an expanded clay fraction for floor screed no more than 5 mm.

The essence of the preparation of the basis lies in the careful dismantling of the old floor covering to the base and in cleaning the entire area before the work being carried out. To do this, you must carefully get rid of debris and dust. If there are cracks, hollow seams and joints with the wall, then they are not well smeared with cement mortar. Only after complete drying can work be continued.

The first layer of a new floor is a vapor barrier necessary to protect the screed from any condensation from the lower floor, basement or soil that can harm its evenness and integrity.

Depending on the type of foundation, the following types are used:

for a concrete base - polyethylene 200 microns thick;
for wooden base- paper or parchment with bituminous impregnation;
special vapour-moisture-proof materials are equally suitable for any base.

Laying any of the three types of material is quite simple - lay it on the floor with an overlap of 15 - 20 cm and secure the seams with ordinary tape. The film must necessarily cover the wall to the height of the future screed - about 7 cm. For reinsurance, you can leave more. After work, cut the film or bend it during installation.

To avoid unpleasant knocking and grinding of expanded clay filler on the walls, you just need to glue a damper tape that absorbs any sounds. It is connected to the base using PVA glue or double-sided tape.

Exposure of lighthouses

To align the future backfill, it is most reliable to install beacons, and not rely on the eye. This will require:

self-tapping screws;
laser level;
rule;
screwdriver;
some concrete.

Stage 1. Screw a self-tapping screw into one of the corners to the level of the backfill layer. Install the rule on it in a vertical position. Place the level in the middle of the room, and where its beam touches the rule on the wall, you need to make a mark.

Stage 2. Do a similar step in another corner of the room. If the marks do not match, simply adjust the screws.

Stage 3. When all the markings are made, fasten the screws to the concrete solution corresponding to them. It will guarantee that the beacons will not move during backfilling. After the solution has hardened, you can safely continue to work.

Screed installation

Stage 1. Fill the base with filler to the required thickness.

Stage 2. Using the rule and focusing on the level of the exposed beacons, thoroughly level the expanded clay layer. It is best to start from the far end of the room, gradually moving to the exit from the room.

Stage 3. It's time to lay the GVLV. In order not to damage the leveled base, it is necessary to mount the sheets from the exit side. This is done quite simply with adhesive composition or ordinary self-tapping screws. To mounting seam was invisible putty and sand it.

As you can see, installing a dry screed is a simple matter and everyone can handle it. If you have any questions about its device, you can watch the attached video.

Expanded clay screed on typesetting technology

Such a screed hardens from two to four weeks, depending on the solution used. Only after this time, you can continue finishing work.

There are two options for leveling the surface.

Method 1. Pouring the solution onto a pre-prepared expanded clay pillow

The preparation of the base is absolutely identical to the process outlined above. After its completion, you can proceed to the subsequent installation.

Frame installation

Instead of installing small beacons, the frame is mounted. To arrange it, you will need boards with a section size of 50 * 100 mm. These will be used as spacers to fit between parallel walls. They can be replaced with lightweight specialized metal profiles. They are installed at a distance of 30-40 cm, but they are not thoroughly attached, since after pouring the finishing layer they are removed. If you have any questions about setting landmarks, check out the video.

Backfill

The gaps between the frame spacers are covered with expanded clay. Its layer should not reach top level beacons by about two centimeters. This gap will go to the device concrete pavement. Using the rule, you need to carefully align the filler from the far wall to the exit.

Filling the draft solution

The first layer is a traditional cement-sand mortar. For its manufacture, standard proportions of cement and sand are taken, however, water must be calculated so that it is three times more than in a conventional screed mortar. Drying of the first layer should not exceed 24 hours.

Finishing device

To complete the screed, special dry mixes are used with the addition of plasticizers, which accelerate the hardening process and give additional strength characteristics. The method of their preparation is taken from the attached instructions.

Specialized mixtures can be replaced with a traditional mortar of cement and pure river sand. The proportions for it are standard 1:3. The amount of water must be sufficient for quality hand laying, but the concrete should not be too liquid. Plasticizers are added to give special characteristics.

The poured layer is carefully leveled and left to harden for the time indicated by the manufacturer of the mixture used. After it has passed, the guides can be removed, and the resulting voids are filled with a solution, their surface is leveled. If required by the installation conditions of the screed, it is reinforced with a conventional metal mesh. But this is more the exception than the rule.

Method 2. Pouring a solution with expanded clay concrete

The preparation and breakdown of the base into working segments with the help of a frame - a beacon occurs according to the above algorithm of work. Only in this case dry filling is not required. Expanded clay is introduced into the concrete solution during its mixing. It is laid gradually, but quickly enough so that hardening does not occur. The laid mortar is leveled using the rule.

Bulk coating on expanded clay screed

A distinctive feature of bulk mortars is their unique composition, prone to self-levelling. In addition, special additives are added to it, not only accelerating the hardening processes, but also significantly increasing wear resistance and strength.

Otherwise, the method of pouring such a screed is very similar to the process of arranging the first method of leveling the surface on a pre-filled layer of expanded clay. There is only one significant difference - a waterproofing film is laid on the expanded clay backfill, and a self-leveling solution is already applied to it. All air bubbles must be expelled from this layer using a spiked roller. Such a screed hardens for a week at most, after which you can safely carry out subsequent finishing work.

There are a lot of methods and technologies for mounting a screed using expanded clay. Each has individual characteristics. But they're all happy simple for independent device and the end result is amazing operational characteristics. The attached videos will tell you more about how to make a floor screed with expanded clay.

Can not imagine quality repair without an impeccably flat floor - a guarantee of the subsequent technical proper styling coatings. In turn, with gross errors of builders and significant differences in the levels of the lower surfaces, it is difficult to install door structures and drywall partitions, and also required various tricks when decorating walls. How to create a flat surface and get rid of possible errors? The answer to this question will be a floor screed with expanded clay, which allows you to achieve not only perfect leveling, but also an increase in insulating characteristics. Expanded clay reduces sound vibrations and perfectly protects against heat loss, which allows you to reduce costs in the winter season and do without air conditioning in the summer.

When is a floor screed with expanded clay used?

It is rational to use a floor screed with expanded clay in such cases:

The difference in the level of the floor in the room, exceeding 10 cm.
reinforced concrete or concrete plates lying in the base for laying the floor.
The presence of a floor covering that does not allow the flaws of the subfloor from which it suffers appearance and quality (floating floors made of natural materials, ceramic tile, parquet or even practical linoleum).
Setting infrared or electrical system heating.
The need to reduce the consumption of cement mortar.
Increasing sound insulation.
Placement of communications in the lower floor.

Expanded clay screed perfectly combines lightness and strength. Expanded clay granules, crushed stone, sand and their combination minimizes the load on the floors. Thanks to the low specific gravity The material of the floor adequately withstands static and dynamic loads, so that over many years of intensive use its quality does not suffer at all.

The priority of expanded clay is due to the specifics of its production. Its material is fusible finely dispersed clay, foamed in a special way, subjected to high-temperature firing. Its result is the production of light edges with a strong outer shell that does not allow moisture to pass through. Low thermal conductivity and excellent thermal insulation qualities are explained by the presence of cavities and air bubbles. By the way, they also explain the low specific gravity.

According to the criteria of fractional size and the presence of acute-angled elements, expanded clay is represented by:

sand, the particles of which are up to 5 mm, obtained after the fired amorphous mass is sieved;
gravel with its rounded and oval particles up to 40 mm in diameter;
crushed stone with angular particles up to 40 mm in diameter.

Often, a fractional mixture is used for such a screed, due to which the insulating and leveling layer increases its density. And since the expanded clay layer usually covers the self-leveling floor, gypsum-fiber sheets or other leveling material, the size and configuration of the particles are completely unimportant. True, to minimize the weight of the structure, expanded clay sand should not be used, since if the packing density of the material increases, the weight also increases. But in some cases, for example, when it fits block parquet, only fine-grained material is required.

The figure shows the process of leveling the floor using expanded clay sand

If you have to deal with the most difficult area, it is better to use expanded clay sand as giving the most insignificant shrinkage.

AT modern construction, repair and restoration work use three methods of screed:

floor leveling and insulation using expanded clay and cement-sand mortar;
installation of a self-leveling floor using expanded clay filler;
dry screed with expanded clay.

Let's consider each of them in more detail.

Leveling and insulation of the floor using expanded clay and cement-sand mortar

To level the subfloor, you can contact a construction and repair organization, or you can, without waiting for specialists, perform this simple but time-consuming process yourself by purchasing the right amount of materials. To do this, it is important to correctly calculate the costs, based on the data provided in the instructions by the manufacturer. Knowing the technical information about the material and the area of the floor to be leveled, it is easy to calculate the need for the material and make an approximate estimate.

Floor leveling traditionally begins with the dismantling of the floor covering and the preparation of the cultivated area. The floor is stripped to the ground, and then cleaned construction garbage. The holes in the floor are carefully cleaned, and the cables and wires in it are wrapped in polyethylene. The joints of polyethylene insulation are tightly wrapped with adhesive tape, protecting them from crumbs, dust or mortar.

The next stage is the waterproofing of the base, which is also applicable when laying self-leveling floors. Here you can use special mastic, but, as a rule, they use plastic film, isolan or hydroisol. Using waterproofing materials

a damper layer is created between the wall and the screed;
the adhesion of the mortar with building materials is prevented, often leading to cracking cement screed when dry;
the transmission of sound waves from the screed to the partitions and supporting structures is reduced.

You can’t do without waterproofing if you have to cover thermal insulation with a screed, arrange parquet, process ceilings in contact with basement. Roll laying thermal insulation materials 15 cm higher than the marked level of the screed. After the flooring work is completed, the materials are cut at the level of the upper plane.

At the last stage, beacons are set - landmarks for leveling the surface at the same level. For this tool, you can use ordinary self-tapping screws or special T-shaped metal devices, specially designed for arranging the screed. Correct markup easily done with an inexpensive laser level or, at worst, an elementary homemade hydraulic level made from a transparent hose. Lighthouses are set in accordance with the marks left on the walls in the process of marking.

Expanded clay screed is poured in two ways:

first there is backfilling, tamping and leveling of expanded clay filler, the surface of which should not reach the level of the floor marked with beacons. The distance from the expanded clay layer to the marks should not be more than 2 cm. Then the entire treated area is poured with cement "milk", which fixes the expanded clay granules. After they harden, you can fill them with a cement mortar, including sifted sand and cement marking M-4. To eliminate errors with proportions, you can also use a ready-made screed mixture;
first expanded clay is introduced into the solution, kneading it construction mixer. To make it more convenient to apply the mixture, the floor is divided into segments with the help of beacons, which are sequentially processed. The laid out expanded clay mixture is leveled with a rule device, and cement is added to the places where pits and puddles form.

But in any case, the floor screed is carried out, starting from any of the walls and moving towards the doorway. And both methods are suitable to arrange a subfloor for any floor covering.

Installation of a self-leveling floor using expanded clay filler

With the help of self-leveling floors, it is possible to form a perfectly flat surface due to the ability of the composition to spontaneous alignment. Completely such a floor hardens in a maximum of a week, which is two to three times faster than the previous method. Currently on sale ready mix with expanded clay for self-leveling floors, which includes additives that improve the characteristics of the floor structure. In the absence of a ready-made composition, the screed begins with uniform distribution expanded clay scattered over the entire area. When laying expanded clay on a dry base, it is not necessary to carry out waterproofing. Compacted and leveled as in the previous method, the material is covered with plastic wrap or new insulation. Everything is poured with a solution, from which excess air is expelled with a spiked roller.

Dry screed with expanded clay

Such a screed is the fastest, cheapest and most practical. Work on it includes the following stages:

marking the future floor height;
laying a layer of waterproofing on the base;
fixing the defimer film along the perimeter of the treated floor;
backfilling, tamping and leveling of the expanded clay layer;
installation of gypsum-fiber sheets over expanded clay, processing butt joints PVC glue and fixing the elements with self-tapping screws.

Conducted based on technological requirements and construction standards of work allow for a long time to serve the floor, the communication systems under it and flooring. This gender long time cosmetic and major repairs are not required.

Video - expanded clay floor screed

Expanded clay for dry floor screed is an excellent material that allows you to significantly simplify the process of leveling it with a minimum budget, time and amount of labor. You will learn how to make a floor screed with your own hands from our article.

Floor screed is in any case a laborious process that requires time and effort. However, the features of expanded clay make it possible to get the best result in a relatively short period of time.

Expanded clay itself is a durable, reliable, lightweight, easy-to-use and completely environmentally friendly material. It has excellent sound and heat insulation performance. The material is fired clay, which, due to exposure to high temperature thickens and hardens.

For you, it will be needed first of all in order to raise the level of the floor to desired height, insulate it and significantly strengthen it. Floor screed with expanded clay is much more effective than a solution of sand and cement. Mainly due to the fact that it is able to pass the right amount of steam and air.

Among the main advantages are the following:

resistance to high and low temperatures;
the ability to use in any residential or commercial premises;
expanded clay does not ignite, does not rot, weighs little;
the ability to even out even strong irregularities that other mixtures cannot cope with;
ease of screeding even without additional skills.

When do you need to fill the floor with expanded clay?

There are frequent cases when no alternative other than expanded clay simply fits:

It is necessary to process an area exceeding 15 centimeters in height. Cement mortar in this case will cost much more, and its strength will be an order of magnitude lower.
When it is impossible for the screed to greatly add weight to the building due to a weak foundation.
Availability wooden floors(Together with expanded clay, it is also recommended to use foam plastic as a heat insulator with low weight).
If you do not have a large budget for repairs and want to spend less on the materials used.

How does a do-it-yourself floor screed with expanded clay. Preparatory stage and miscalculation of materials

Tools:

level;
construction mixer;
ruler;
rope;
rails and profiles;
rule.

Materials:

expanded clay;
sand;
cement;
water.

Initially, you need to get rid of the old coating and bring the base to the desired state - remove construction debris, clean it of foreign objects.

dismantle the old floor;
vacuum or sweep small debris;
clean and cement small holes in the floor.

As in most modern construction works, it all starts with markup. Initially, decide to what height you will raise the floor, install beacons around the perimeter. The step between the beacons should be up to a meter. All rails must be set exactly on the level.

Important! If the screed will be carried out in all rooms, make sure that the level is the same.

First you need to determine the highest point of the floor. To do this, you can use a laser level (it is more convenient and faster to work with). If it is not there, you can replace it with ordinary water. But in this case, you will need to use a rope to mark the level with all the accuracy.

Set the beacons starting from the top point. At the highest point, the width of your screed in most cases will not exceed 5-6 millimeters, gradually increasing in the lower parts of the room. To fix the beacons, you can use gypsum or cement mortar. But the second implies the need to work quickly, until the solution has frozen and begun to harden.

Calculate the desired ratio of expanded clay to the standard cement mortar not difficult. The more this material is used, the better thermal insulation tie will provide. But if you overdo it, then its strength will greatly deteriorate. In the calculation, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the base, the strength of the foundation, thermal insulation characteristics. The optimal ratio of expanded clay and mortar is 1:1.

Keep in mind that the density of the material of different fractions can vary between 250-600 kilograms per cubic meter.

The standard number of components per cubic meter of expanded clay concrete is as follows:

cement - up to 300 kg;
sand - 300 kg;
expanded clay - one cube (weight may vary due to different density, so when buying, be guided by volume).

A more accurate calculation can be made using the following example:

As a reference, take a room with dimensions 9 square meters and an average layer thickness of 60-65 mm. We make the calculation: 9 x 0.06 \u003d 0.54 cubic meters. m., which is exactly 540 liters. screed solution.

There are several ways to make a floor screed. We offer two simple and effective options:

Screed option No. 1

After you take measurements and mark the level of the screed, you need to fill in fine expanded clay over the entire area. A small fraction at this stage is needed so that the expanded clay is better compacted. The layer should be no higher than 2.3 centimeters to the top point of the future screed. Using a level, make the expanded clay layer completely even and spread it over the surface.
The resulting layer for better density can be filled with cement "milk".

To prepare it, you need to make a standard screed solution, but there should be twice as much water in it. By itself, the "milk" material will not hold together, but it forms a film on it, which will prevent the absorption of liquid by expanded clay. As a result, the consumption of the solution during pouring will decrease. For the formation and hardening of such a film, it will take a day. Finished at this stage. Now you just have to wait.

At the end of the day, you can proceed directly to the finishing screed. Pour the required amount of expanded clay over the entire area and level again using a level. Now pour the finished solution onto the surface, level it with the rule and leave to dry for 2-3 days.
When the screed is dry, remove the beacons, and seal the resulting holes with cement.

Screed option No. 2

In this case, expanded clay will also have to be laid in two layers, but the whole process is noticeably faster than in the first version.

Prepare a screed solution. In order for it to be usable, you must first pour expanded clay into large capacity, pour water and mix with a construction mixer. Next, add cement and sand to the container the right amount and also mix everything. There is no exact proportion in this case.
Gradually add sand and cement to the solution until it becomes a homogeneous viscous mass without lumps.
Pour the finished composition to a height of up to 2.5 cm from the floor. Please note that in this case, unlike the previous one, you do not have to wait a day, but you can immediately continue working.
When you start finishing pouring, do not reach the edge of the bottom a few centimeters.
Carefully align the top layer of the screed. There may still be bumps in some areas. They need to be found and eliminated in time. Avoid puddles, gouges, surface bubbles, etc.

If there are wires and any communications under the screed, it is necessary to wrap them with plastic wrap and fix them in the desired position with adhesive tape or electrical tape.
Under expanded clay, it is best to put a layer of waterproofing. For this purpose, you can use mastic, polyethylene film or hydrosol.
Profiles and rails - best options beacons.
It will take at least a month for the screed to dry completely with a standard room temperature and humidity.
In the process of drying, you need to regularly water the surface with a small amount of water to avoid the appearance of cracks.
If a plasticizer is added to the solution, then the likelihood of cracks is significantly reduced.
If you use expanded clay mainly to improve thermal insulation, its layer should be at least 10 cm.
Use expanded clay of different fractions to get a denser screed.
Expanded clay can be effectively used together with self-leveling floors. By themselves, they perfectly level the surface due to a fairly liquid consistency. If expanded clay is mixed with such a solution, higher strength and thermal insulation can be achieved.
During the screed, work building rule over the entire surface area.
Reinforcing the surface of the screed is an optional but useful step that can significantly strengthen it.

As you can see, filling the floor with expanded clay with your own hands is a fairly simple method that allows you to get a good result for little money. Without expensive tools and materials.