Liquid Screed Course

Lesson 1 • Regulatory and Standards Overview

Introduces performance standards, product certifications, and compliance obligations relevant to liquid screed. Grounds students in the regulatory landscape before practical work begins.

Lesson 2 • Types of Liquid Screed

Covers calcium sulfate and cementitious liquid screeds and their distinct properties. Enables informed material selection for different project conditions.

Lesson 3 • Key Components and Mix Design

Explains binders, aggregates, water, and admixtures that form liquid screed. Links mix design choices to final floor performance.

Lesson 4 • What Is Liquid Screed

Defines liquid screed and distinguishes it from traditional sand-cement screed. Establishes baseline terminology used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Moisture Assessment and Control

Covers moisture measurement methods and acceptable thresholds for screed installation. Moisture control is critical to preventing delamination and surface defects.

Lesson 2 • Setting Datum Levels and Screeding Pins

Teaches laser level setup and pin placement to achieve accurate finished floor levels. Precise datum setting is the foundation of a flat, compliant screed surface.

Lesson 3 • Thermal and Acoustic Insulation Layers

Addresses insulation board selection, placement, and joint taping beneath liquid screed. Proper insulation installation directly affects screed performance and energy ratings.

Lesson 4 • Edge Insulation and Perimeter Detailing

Explains the role of edge insulation strips in controlling thermal movement and cracking. Correct perimeter detailing is mandatory for compliant installations.

Lesson 1 • Underfloor Heating System Types

Compares wet hydronic and electric underfloor heating systems and their screed compatibility. Understanding system differences guides correct installation decisions.

Lesson 2 • Commissioning Heating After Screed Cures

Explains the controlled heat-up protocol to dry and condition screed without cracking. Proper commissioning protects the screed and activates the heating system safely.

Lesson 3 • Pipe Layout and Fixing Methods

Covers pipe spacing, loop design, and mechanical fixing to insulation boards. Correct layout ensures even heat distribution and structural integrity within the screed.

Lesson 4 • Screed Depth Over Heating Pipes

Specifies minimum and maximum screed depths above pipe centers for thermal efficiency and structural performance. Depth compliance is essential for warranty and system performance.

Lesson 1 • Pump Equipment and Setup

Covers pump types, hose configurations, and pre-pour setup procedures. Correct pump selection and setup prevent blockages and ensure continuous flow.

Lesson 2 • Flow and Consistency Testing

Teaches flow table and slump flow tests to verify screed workability on delivery. Consistency testing ensures the mix meets specification before placement begins.

Lesson 3 • Environmental Conditions for Delivery

Defines temperature, wind, and humidity limits for safe screed delivery and placement. Environmental awareness prevents premature setting and surface defects.

Lesson 4 • Admixture Dosing on Site

Addresses on-site addition of retarders, accelerators, and fiber reinforcement. Correct dosing maintains workability and performance without compromising mix design.

Lesson 1 • Pour Sequence Planning

Covers bay layout, pour direction, and sequencing to avoid cold joints and level mismatches. Planned sequencing is essential for large-area pours and multi-room projects.

Lesson 2 • Spreading and Leveling Techniques

Teaches manual raking, squeegee spreading, and pin-guided leveling for uniform depth. Correct spreading technique directly determines flatness and finished floor quality.

Lesson 3 • Protecting the Freshly Poured Screed

Covers exclusion zones, foot traffic timing, and environmental protection after pouring. Protecting fresh screed prevents surface damage during the critical early curing period.

Lesson 4 • Dappling to Remove Air Voids

Explains the dappling rod technique used to release entrapped air and consolidate screed. Dappling prevents hollow spots and surface pinholes that compromise floor integrity.

Lesson 1 • Laitance Removal on Calcium Sulfate Screed

Explains laitance formation, detection, and mechanical removal before priming. Laitance removal is mandatory for calcium sulfate screeds to ensure adhesive bond strength.

Lesson 2 • Curing Versus Drying Explained

Distinguishes chemical curing from physical drying and their different timelines. Understanding both processes prevents premature floor finish application and failures.

Lesson 3 • Forced Drying Methods

Covers dehumidifier placement, ventilation strategies, and heating to accelerate drying. Forced drying reduces program time while maintaining screed quality when applied correctly.

Lesson 4 • Priming and Surface Sealing

Covers primer selection, application methods, and drying times for different screed types. Correct priming seals the surface and improves adhesive bond for subsequent floor finishes.

Lesson 1 • Common Screed Defects and Causes

Catalogs cracking, delamination, hollowness, and surface dusting with their root causes. Recognizing defect patterns enables targeted remediation rather than guesswork.

Lesson 2 • Hollow and Debonded Area Detection

Teaches chain drag, tap testing, and acoustic methods to locate debonded zones. Early detection of hollow areas allows repair before floor finishes are applied.

Lesson 3 • Testing Screed Strength and Hardness

Covers BRE screed tester, rebound hammer, and core sampling for strength verification. Strength testing confirms compliance with specified compressive strength classes.

Lesson 4 • Remediation and Repair Techniques

Addresses crack injection, patch repair, and full-bay replacement decisions. Selecting the correct repair method restores structural integrity and surface quality.

Lesson 1 • Documentation and Handover Records

Defines required installation records, test certificates, and as-built documentation for handover. Complete documentation protects contractors and provides clients with compliance evidence.

Lesson 2 • Client Communication and Aftercare Advice

Covers post-installation briefings, drying guidance, and maintenance recommendations for clients. Clear aftercare communication reduces callbacks and builds professional reputation.

Lesson 3 • Program Scheduling and Sequencing

Teaches Gantt chart creation, critical path identification, and trade sequencing for screed works. Effective scheduling coordinates screed with preceding and following trades.

Lesson 4 • Pre-Contract Planning and Estimating

Covers quantity take-off, material scheduling, and labor estimation for screed projects. Accurate pre-contract planning prevents cost overruns and program delays.