Renewable Energy Downloads

Point Loading Screed Floors

A load put upon a screeded floor is supported by the floor covering as well as the screed. These layers disperse the point load across the floor. The load is also supported by the insulation layer below the screed. If the load exerted on the floor is excessive, it could cause the insulation layer to compress, this in turn, could cause the screed to crack under the load due to the compressive strength of the insulation being insufficient to support the load.

Is Your Water Soft Or Hard?

Are you in a hard or soft water area? Soft water is water that is free from dissolved salts such as Calcium Carbonates and Sulphates. Naturally occurring Soft water is slightly acidic due to absorbed gases suc as CO2.

Soft water tends to be more pleasant for washing in, but can be aggressive to pipework. Lead in particular can be affected but causes very little damage to an underfloor heating ssystem.

Hard water is water which has fallen on or filtered through Calcium Carbonates or Sulphates (Chalk or Limestone). It dissolves small amounts of Calcium and carries it in suspension. This type of water does the most damage to an underfloor heating system.

Heat Transfers On Screeded Floors

In any instance wherebyt there is bith heated and unheated areas withiin a particular zone, should the floor finish be of some form of tile such as ceramic, marble or granite. The possible movement of energy, (in this case Heat differnece) within the screed needs to be taken into account. There maybe the possibilty of movement within the floor which can cause the tiles to move, lift or even crack.

This can be eliminated by the use of a Control Joint within the screed and through the tiled floor finish.