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TRADITIONAL SCREEDING – QUALITY SERVICES, ASHFORD
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FLOORING SOLUTIONS GUIDE
At MK Leavey Floor Screeding Ltd, we know every flooring project has its challenges, which is why our FAQ section covers key details about our services. From flow screed and conventional screed to underfloor heating integration and floor levelling, we answer common questions to help you understand processes, timelines, and practical considerations. This resource is designed for homeowners, renovators, and builders alike, providing clear, reliable guidance to support informed decisions and ensure your flooring project is completed efficiently, safely, and to the highest standards. Conventional screed and underfloor heating solutions are also covered, highlighting practices for durability, performance, and energy efficiency.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Traditional screed is typically hand-applied and requires careful levelling, while flow screed is self-levelling and poured in liquid form. Flow screed provides a smoother finish, faster drying, and is ideal for underfloor heating installations.
Drying times vary depending on thickness, temperature, and ventilation. Generally, a 50mm screed will take around 7–10 days to dry fully, while thicker applications may require longer.
Yes, our team can work on both new builds and renovation projects. We ensure minimal disruption and coordinate with other trades to maintain smooth site operations.
Absolutely. We guide clients on appropriate flooring types, drying times, and installation methods to protect the integrity of the screed and ensure a long-lasting finish.
Yes, we offer flow screed installation and liquid screed flooring for both domestic and commercial clients, including offices, retail spaces, and industrial units.
Calcium sulphate (anhydrite) screeds are cost-effective and have very low shrinkage, but they require the removal of laitance (a surface dust) before tiling. Cementitious flow screed is often preferred for wet areas like wet rooms or when a faster tiling turnaround is required, as it does not always require the same level of surface sanding.
Yes, but the timber must be structurally sound and properly prepared. We typically install a high-quality insulation layer and a waterproof membrane over the timber to create a floating floor. This prevents moisture from the liquid screed from affecting the wood while providing a rigid, level base for tiles.
While the floor is walkable within 48 hours, dry means a specific moisture content (usually <75% Relative Humidity for moisture-sensitive finishes). We recommend using a hygrometer for an accurate reading. Factors like site ventilation and the thickness of the flow screed will dictate the final drying timeline.
Laitance is a thin, weak layer of fine particles that rises to the surface as the screed cures. If not sanded off approximately 7 to 10 days after the pour, your floor adhesive will bond to the dust rather than the solid screed, which can lead to tiles lifting or cracking in the future.
Generally, no. Most flow screed products are designed for internal use only. For outdoor areas like patios or garages, traditional sand and cement or specialized external concrete mixes are required to withstand weather exposure and frost.
Conventional screed, often referred to as sand cement screed, is a traditional flooring base made from a mixture of sand and cement. It provides a strong, level surface suitable for tiles, wood, carpets, or underfloor heating.
Drying times depend on thickness, temperature, and ventilation. Typically, a 50mm screed requires 21–28 days to fully cure, with thicker floors needing longer.
Yes, conventional screed can be used with underfloor heating, but for faster heat transfer and quicker drying times, flow screed may sometimes be recommended.
Absolutely. Our team has experience installing sand cement and conventional screed in residential homes, commercial buildings, and industrial units across Ashford and the surrounding areas.
Conventional screed is manually mixed and applied, offering traditional strength and suitability for load-bearing floors. Flow screed is self-levelling, quicker to install, and ideal for underfloor heating systems.
Health & safety is embedded in how we plan, supervise, and deliver work — not treated as a box-ticking exercise. Our teams understand that safe work is productive work.
We maintain consistently low incident and near-miss rates, demonstrating effective risk management and a proactive approach to preventing harm on site.
All operatives are appropriately trained and certified with NVQ’s and hold CSCS cards. Regular toolbox talks and refresher training ensure safety standards are maintained throughout the project.
We provide:
· Detailed RAMS tailored to each site
· Ongoing health surveillance
· Ongoing risk reviews as site conditions change
· COSHH assessments
· Safe systems of work
· All of our screed pumps hold valid pressure system certification that conforms to Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000
This reduces risk exposure for the PC and the client.
Our mangers hold SMSTS supervisors hold SSSTS therefore actively monitor safety performance on site, ensuring standards are upheld without relying solely on PC oversight.
We understand that subcontractor performance reflects directly on the principal contractor. Our safe working practices help protect your brand and client relationships.
Underfloor heating (UFH) is a modern heating solution that warms a room through a network of pipes or electric mats beneath the floor. It provides consistent heat and improves energy efficiency compared to traditional radiators.
Flow screed ensures the heating pipes are fully encased and evenly covered, allowing heat to distribute uniformly across the floor. Its self-levelling properties also create a smooth and durable surface for final floor finishes.
Yes, underfloor heating can be retrofitted into existing buildings using either wet or dry systems. Our experts assess your property and recommend the best solution for your needs.
Underfloor heating works with most floor types, including tiles, stone, laminate, engineered wood, and even carpet, provided the flooring material allows efficient heat transfer.
Absolutely. Our team installs underfloor heating in homes, commercial properties, and industrial buildings throughout Ashford and the surrounding areas, providing the same high-quality service on every project.
Our conventional floor screed is a traditional, semi-dry mix of sand and cement that is trowel-applied. It's highly durable and excellent for achieving specific slopes or falls, such as in wet rooms. Our flow screed is a liquid, self-levelling solution (like Anhydrite or Cemfloor) that provides an exceptionally smooth finish, is quicker to lay, and offers significantly better thermal conductivity, making it ideal for underfloor heating systems.
While both can be used, we often recommend our flow screed (liquid screed) for projects with underfloor heating. Because it fully encapsulates the heating pipes and boasts almost twice the thermal conductivity of traditional screed, it dramatically increases the efficiency and performance of your heating system.
The time varies depending on the product used. With our traditional conventional screed, drying times can be longer. However, our advanced flow screed is often fast-drying, and you can typically walk on the surface after just 24-48 hours, depending on the specific product and environmental conditions.
No. Our company provides screeding solutions for a wide range of projects. Whether you are working on a new commercial building, undertaking a major renovation, or installing new flooring in a residential extension, we provide solutions using either conventional or flow screed to create the perfect foundation.
Traditionally speaking floor screed is made from cement and sharp sand mixed together, and you can apply it to a site under construction or on a completed foundation floor.
Certain types of screed cannot be used on some floors or in some environments. You need to know what type and kind of screed will work best for the floor you have in place and the kind of floor you want to have when the screed has been laid.
The primary purpose of floor screeding is to give a smooth, level floor finish. Floor screed evens out a surface to make it easier and more comfortable to walk over and can be applied to a solid, in-situ or precast concrete floor slab.
The time it takes for screed to dry is referred to as ‘curing time’. It varies depending on the type and thickness of screed. In heavy traffic environments it is recommended that you leave it for at least 5-7 days. Floor screed usually reaches its fully cured strength within 28 days, so for the best results, it’s recommended to wait until then. However, that process can be speeded up through chemicals that we add to the screed which significantly reduces drying time.
Bonded floor screed
Unbonded floor screed
Partially bonded screed
Floating screed
Liquid screed
Self-levelling screed
We offer a wide variety and types of screed based on your specific needs and requirements. Contact our team to find out which type suits your project best.
LASTING STRENGTH WITH TRADITIONAL SCREEDING
Expertly applied traditional screeding creates a stable, even base for your floors. Submit your information to arrange a tailored installation today.
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