Floor Screeding Services in Exeter

Expert floor screeding throughout Exeter and East Devon. Self-leveling compound and traditional sand/cement screeds.

What Is Floor Screeding?

Floor screeding is the process of applying a smooth, level layer over a concrete sub-floor. The screed creates a flat surface ready for your final floor covering (tiles, laminate, carpet, vinyl). It can also encapsulate underfloor heating pipes.

Screeding is essential when floors are uneven, damaged, or when you're installing underfloor heating. In the UK, we use three main types: self-leveling compound (for shallow leveling), traditional sand/cement screed, and liquid (flowing) screed.

When Do You Need Floor Screeding?

You'll need screeding if:

• You're laying tiles and the existing floor is uneven (tiles crack on uneven bases)
• You're installing underfloor heating and need to cover the pipes
• The old screed is damaged, cracked, or breaking up
• You're laying engineered wood or laminate and need a perfectly flat base
• You've removed old flooring and the sub-floor beneath is rough
• You're converting a garage or outbuilding and need a proper floor finish

Types of Floor Screed

Self-Leveling Compound

Self-leveling compound is a liquid mixture that spreads across the floor and finds its own level. It's used for shallow leveling (typically up to 10mm) and dries quickly. You can walk on it within a few hours and lay flooring the next day.

Best for: Minor leveling, quick turnarounds, preparing for laminate or vinyl

Depth: 3-10mm

Cost: £18-25/m² + VAT

Drying time: 24 hours before flooring

Traditional Sand/Cement Screed

A mix of sharp sand and cement (usually 4:1 ratio) troweled smooth by hand. This is the traditional method and is still widely used for new builds, extensions, and deeper leveling. It's strong, durable, and can be laid to any depth from 50mm upwards.

Best for: New builds, extensions, underfloor heating, thicker screeds

Depth: 50-75mm (can be thicker)

Cost: £22-30/m² + VAT

Drying time: 1 day per mm up to 40mm, then slower. Typically 4-6 weeks for tiling.

Liquid (Flowing) Screed

A pumpable screed that flows like thick cream and self-levels. It's faster to lay than traditional screed and gives an excellent finish. Commonly used with underfloor heating as it flows around the pipes perfectly.

Best for: Large areas, underfloor heating, fast installation

Depth: 35-50mm (thinner than traditional because it's stronger)

Cost: £25-35/m² + VAT

Drying time: Faster than traditional; typically 7-14 days before tiling

The Floor Screeding Process

Here's what happens when you book floor screeding:

1. Free survey: We check the existing floor, measure the area, and assess how much leveling is needed
2. Written quote: Fixed price based on the area, screed type, and depth required
3. Preparation: Clean the sub-floor, prime if needed, and install edge insulation strips
4. Underfloor heating (if applicable): Pipes fitted and pressure tested before screeding
5. Screed application: Mixed and laid to the correct depth and level
6. Finishing: Smoothed and leveled using laser levels or screeding rails
7. Curing: Covered with polythene to cure slowly and prevent cracking
8. Drying: Allowed to dry fully before final flooring (time depends on screed type)

Floor Screeding and Underfloor Heating

If you're installing underfloor heating (water-based or electric), the screed layer encapsulates the pipes or cables and conducts heat to the room. We coordinate with your heating engineer to ensure the pipes are tested before screeding.

For underfloor heating, we recommend either traditional sand/cement screed (65mm deep) or liquid screed (45mm deep). Both conduct heat well. Liquid screed is faster and flows perfectly around the pipes.

How Long Does Screed Take to Dry?

Drying times vary by screed type and depth:

• Self-leveling compound: 24 hours for most floor coverings
• Traditional screed (50mm): 4-6 weeks before tiling or stone, 3-4 weeks for carpet or laminate
• Liquid screed (45mm): 1-2 weeks before most coverings

Rushing the drying time risks moisture being trapped under the final floor, which can cause tiles to lift or wood to warp. We'll advise on the correct drying time for your project.

Screed Repair

If you have an existing screed that's cracked, dusty, or breaking up, we can:

• Patch small areas with repair compound
• Skim over the top with self-leveling compound (if the base is sound)
• Remove and replace badly damaged sections
• Apply a bonding primer and new screed layer

The approach depends on the extent of the damage. We'll assess during the survey and recommend the most cost-effective solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does floor screeding cost?

A typical kitchen (12m²) costs £300-450 + VAT for self-leveling compound or £350-500 for traditional screed. Larger areas cost less per m². The exact price depends on screed depth, floor condition, and access. We provide a fixed-price quote after surveying.

How long before I can walk on a new screed?

Self-leveling compound can be walked on within 2-4 hours. Traditional screed needs 24-48 hours. However, this is just for light foot traffic. You must wait much longer before laying floor coverings or moving heavy furniture.

Can you screed over tiles?

Sometimes. If the tiles are well-bonded and level, we can prime and screed over them using self-leveling compound. If they're loose or the surface is very uneven, it's better to remove them first. We'll advise during the survey.

Do I need underfloor heating before screeding?

No. Screeding is required for many reasons, not just underfloor heating. If you do want underfloor heating, it must be installed before screeding so the pipes or cables are embedded in the screed layer.