**FAQ Friday: Is Liquid Screed Self-Levelling?**
Welcome back to another edition of FAQ Friday, where we tackle the most common questions you have about construction, flooring, and everything in between. This week’s question is: **Is liquid screed self-levelling?**
### The Short Answer: Not Quite, But Almost!
Liquid screed is often advertised as being self-levelling, but that’s not entirely accurate. What liquid screed actually offers is a combination of **self-compacting** and **self-smoothing** properties. While these qualities do make the screed easier to work with compared to traditional methods, they don’t automatically guarantee a perfectly flat and level surface.
### The Long Answer: How We Achieve the Perfect Finish
To achieve that smooth, level surface that’s essential for any flooring project, we still need to employ specialised installation equipment and finishing techniques. Here’s a quick breakdown of the process:
1. **Preparation**: Before pouring the screed, we meticulously prepare the area to ensure there’s no debris or imperfections that could affect the final result.
2. **Pouring**: The liquid screed is carefully poured to ensure it spreads evenly across the entire surface.
3. **Compaction and Smoothing**: Thanks to the self-compacting nature of liquid screed, it automatically fills gaps and voids, reducing the need for manual compaction. Its self-smoothing properties help create a more uniform surface. However, we still use specialised tools to aid in the smoothing process and to ensure the screed is as level as possible.
4. **Final Levelling**: Even though the screed does much of the work itself, we apply expert finishing techniques to achieve the desired level of flatness.
### Working to the Highest Standards
In our installations, we follow the **British Standard guidance for SR2 or better**, which means we achieve a flatness tolerance of **5mm over a 2-metre straight edge**. This is essential for ensuring that the finished floor will be suitable for a wide range of floor coverings, including tiles, wood, and carpet.
### Conclusion
So, while liquid screed offers many advantages, including its self-compacting and self-smoothing properties, it isn’t truly self-levelling. The skill and expertise of the installation team play a crucial role in achieving a perfectly level and smooth surface. Rest assured, we’re committed to delivering a flawless finish every time, adhering to the highest industry standards.
Got more questions? Drop them in the comments, and they might just be featured in our next FAQ Friday!
