Floor screeding disaster?
 

Firstly thanks to Mike Taylor for the suggestion of slate across the
cavity,and thanks to Michael Mcneil for replying to my question about
making a dry mix for screeding.

Yesterday, we made the mix, placed it, but I am now wondering if we
made it too dry!
It compacted in the hand when squeezed, but absolutely no excees
moisture was present.

I wet the slab four times during the day before laying, and PVA'd 5:1
as we screeded.

Even after covering the screed with polythene, the top surface just
became dust, so today I went over the screed with a mist sprayer and
trowelled the surface.
However, it is still suspiciously loose on top.

Should the mix have been wetter, or is it normal for the top to become
a bit loose as it cures?

Is it irredeemable? - am I going to end up needing to seal it or put a
self leveler on to hold it together. Or dig the whole lot out :-(

Thanks in advance

Bill M

Floor screeding disaster?
 

It shouldnt be dry and dusty/friarable on the surface. When you laid it
"reasonably"dry did the normal way is to level it of to guides by whatever
method you like, compressing it at the same time, rub it up with a wooden
float then go over the surface with a steel trowel. Yes keeping it moist
should help, my screeder frequently asks me to spray it with a fine mist
spary for 2 -3 days after it has been laid in very hot/dry weather
The mix should be 3-1 washed river sharp sand to cement
Keep it moist/spary with a fine hose spray for a couple of days and see what
happens

Floor screeding disaster?
 

Floor screeding disaster?
 

Floor screeding disaster?