Removing the old screed. Dismantling the old floor screed

When a major overhaul begins in any room, including an apartment, all work is initially concentrated on the dismantling of the old floor covering. This also includes dismantling. The process takes a lot of time and effort. But if there is no experience in carrying out this kind of work, then it is better to immediately turn to specialists. This will provide excellent final quality.

Causes

To carry out the dismantling of the floor screed, some good reasons are needed. Among the most basic are the existing surface defects, as well as errors made during installation work. It can even be said that it is much easier to completely remove the floor screed than to partially remove the floor screed. Eliminating deficiencies sometimes even brings more trouble and financial costs.

Another reason is the repair of communication systems, which are located under. But here everything should be done with high quality and with caution. All security measures must be observed in full.

In the work you will need to use a certain set of tools, among which the main ones are:

• Sledgehammer.
• Bulgarian.
• Perforator construction.
• Garbage bags.

Construction teams due to their experience can complete the work as quickly as possible. Moreover, they have all the necessary tools for this, including special equipment - a joint cutter, a robot for dismantling, and much more.

Advantages

It is possible to immediately protect a few from the partial repair of areas in the room. Greater preference is given to the first version of the work. This is associated with lower financial costs. Not always a separate site will allow you to cope with the problem. With the passage of time of operation, it most often reappears. In addition, various additional base defects begin to appear, which alternate with each other. The floor covering may also be damaged and require replacement.

By contacting specialized companies, you can find out which type of foundation restoration is best done. If the problem is significant, then it will be more profitable to clean everything to zero, and then screed, lay communications and flooring again.

Possible Methods

There are several ways in which you can produce high-quality floors. Among them are:

When carrying out work in any way, it is very important to be careful. It is not uncommon for electrical wiring to be laid under. It must not be damaged. But this applies specifically to buildings with a large number of floors. To do this, you should be guided in the materials where the wiring can be hidden. Often this is a corrugated pipe or HDPE.

rules

There are certain removal requirements. First of all, this concerns the correct choice of the tool for the job. In each individual case, it may be different. Everything will depend on the specific situation. To eliminate the screed, you can split it into separate elements, which are subsequently taken out. But everything is done more quickly when using a power tool.

It is very important to prepare garbage bags with a sufficient level of strength. They will have to take out all the existing garbage. It will not be superfluous to prepare the neighbors by informing them of the desire to carry out noisy work in the apartment.

In the process of dismantling, the main thing is not to overdo it. Excessive force may damage the floor slabs.

Preparatory activities

The beginning of the removal is associated with the removal of the old flooring, as well as the laid skirting boards. Here, almost never need to use a special tool to get the desired result. It is worth noting that the old coating may later be applicable in some cases. Then everything should be done very carefully so as not to damage it.

Next comes the analysis of the screed itself, which will be dismantled. Its thickness, material of manufacture, design and other points should be determined. It will be very good if you have schemes for laying communications and other equipment on hand. This will prevent damage to it during the work.

To determine the composition of the subfloor, you can cut out a fragment of the base section with a grinder and see what the screed is made of. In the work of construction teams, an ultrasonic flaw detector is used. With it, you can view everything that is hidden in the thickness of concrete or other solution.

Stages of work

After the end of the preparatory activities, you can begin. To do this, choose one of the above methods, which is more suitable in a given situation. More problems will arise with concrete and cement bases. They are characterized by a high level of strength and reliability. If there is reinforcement in the base, all sections are removed in fragments, parts.

If we have a bulk polymer floor in front of us, then we cannot do without a joint cutter. With it, you should partially cut the surface and proceed to subsequent actions.

Disassembly of the screed-leveling structure is distinguished by ease of dismantling. In this case, only the hardware is removed, and after that the sheets are removed. Perhaps they will be glued to each other. Then it will be necessary to cut them through the measured distance.

When percussion instruments are taken into work, everything should start from the far corner of the room. The direction goes to the entrance. It is best to collect all the garbage that appears gradually, as it accumulates. At the same time, preventive security measures are taken in advance. To do this, the power to the wires in the house is turned off, as well as the water through the pipes. Walls, windows, doors inside the premises must be carefully protected. Fragments should not fall on them and cause damage.

Price

Of course, it is more profitable to carry out the removal yourself. You will not have to pay for the work of teams using additional electrical equipment. But situations may arise when it is impossible to do without them.

In this case, the cost will be influenced by various factors, such as:

• The scope of work performed.
• Possible additional types of services.
• The thickness of the rough screed, the need to preserve the floor covering, the type of subfloor covering.
• The complexity of the manufacturing process.

This indicates that it is very difficult to determine the specific cost per square meter of floor space. Everything should be calculated individually. You can only give average indicators of the cost of removing the floor screed.

If the screed has a thickness of up to 40 mm, then the price will vary from 2 to 6 USD. per square meter. With a screed of 40-60 mm, you will have to invest at least 3.2 USD from your pocket, but usually no more than 7.5 USD. for 1 m 2. The greatest cost will be pouring the solution up to 80 mm. The price can reach almost 9 USD. for 1m 2. Some subtleties relate to the reinforced floor screed. Here the cost will be increased by at least half. In each case, it should be calculated individually.

In most cases, during repairs, it may be necessary to dismantle the concrete or cement floor screed. After all, it is easier to make a screed again than to fix problems with the old one, especially if there are a lot of them.

It should be noted right away that such work requires skills and abilities. Dismantling the floor screed can, of course, be done with your own hands, but in this case you risk getting unfinished or poor-quality work.

Our AlmazorezService company is ready to offer you a similar service.

Prices for dismantling the screed

Removing the screed from the floor

We are known for the fact that the dismantling of the floor screed, the price for which is the same everywhere, will be much lower with us.

But again, despite the significantly lower cost of the service, we offer you the performance of the work within a certain period agreed with you, as well as the delivery of the finished work in compliance with your requirements and wishes.

We are able to perform such work efficiently and quickly. And you can save a lot of money with us. Turning to us, you get:

• the work of real professionals with vast experience behind them;
• fast and high-quality order fulfillment;
• accuracy of meeting the requirements and desires of the customer.

Be sure to indicate that we undertake the most complex work. Surely you know that builders do not like to dismantle the concrete screed. We will easily take on such an order and fulfill it in the best possible way.

We have been working in this area for a long time and carried out a lot of orders that differ in different levels of complexity. Moreover, we dealt with screeds from various materials. Therefore, we can safely say that any order is within our reach.

Dismantling of a cement screed, concrete, any other will be carried out by us on time, in the best possible way and with the required quality.

We had many similar orders, and not one of them was overdue or not fulfilled by us. We always approach our work responsibly, among us there are no amateurs or beginners. We employ only professionals who understand and love their work.

Our company offers a lot of different services that may be relevant at a construction site or repair, therefore, having learned and convinced of the quality of our work, you will certainly want to contact us again.

During the overhaul, it may be necessary to dismantle the old flooring and screed, which is located between the bearing floor and the final finish. How to perform this operation most efficiently and what aspects to pay attention to is the topic of this review.

And first, a little theory. The floor screed is a monolithic (made from a cement-sand mortar) or composite (for example, a dry screed) structure, which is applied directly to existing floors and allows solving a number of important construction tasks:

• Filling voids, potholes, assembly joints and fine leveling of the floor (for the possibility of subsequent finishing);
• Possibility of increasing the consumer characteristics of the object (when laying additional layers of heat-insulating, waterproofing and noise-absorbing materials under the screed);
• Increased strength characteristics due to the introduction of reinforcing metal meshes into the floor screed.
• Increasing the bearing loads of the entire building as a whole.

However, over time, the existing base can become deformed, which is the most common reason for dismantling the floor screed.

In what cases is the removal of the screed justified?

Of course, before making a decision to remove an existing screed, it is advisable to make an audit and draw a conclusion about the appropriateness of this event. Indeed, in some cases, a completely acceptable solution may be the restoration of the floor, without removing it.

In general, the following factors can serve as reasons for dismantling the floor screed:

• Extremely unsatisfactory condition of the screed (ubiquitous cracks, chips, potholes, the presence of significant differences in height, etc.);
• The inability to lay a new layer of screed over the existing one (especially true in houses with wooden or mixed floors);
• The need to lower the existing floor level (for example, to eliminate height differences between adjacent rooms and when joining dissimilar materials);
• When laying a warm floor or repairing utilities laid in the thickness of the screed.

In any case, before removing the old screed, it is advisable to consult an expert.

How to dismantle the floor screed yourself

Preparatory stage

Before the actual process of removing the screed, a number of preparatory works should be carried out. Namely, prepare all the necessary equipment and carry out the dismantling of all floor materials available on the floor.

That is, laminate, linoleum, tiles, floor plinths must be removed before the start of dismantling operations. By the way, with floor tiles, difficulties may arise, which is why its removal is carried out in conjunction with the dismantling of the floor screed.

As for the construction tool, its selection should be carried out depending on the type of existing screed (monolithic, multilayer, composite). Most often, concrete cutters, angle grinders, impact devices (jackhammer, puncher) are used to carry out such work, or operations are performed manually using a chisel, crowbar, sledgehammer and hammer (justified for removing a small area screed).

Also, at the preparation stage, it is necessary to determine the places for laying utilities, so that in the process of removing the screed, they are not deformed. In standard apartments, the electrical wire of the downstairs apartment lighting system is located on the floor in the top floor apartment. In view of what, before starting work, it is desirable to search for hidden wiring. And without fail, take care of de-energizing the place of work.

If pipelines of heating systems are laid in the thickness of the screed, then it is necessary to take care of the plan for laying them so as not to damage them during the work.

Dismantling the screed by impact method

It involves breaking off pieces of the screed and their gradual removal. This work is done with the help of percussion instruments. In some cases, it is allowed to use a sledgehammer and a crowbar.

When working with a jackhammer or similar electrical equipment, all safety measures should be strictly observed and protective equipment should be used (respirator, goggles, ear plugs, protective overalls, anti-vibration gloves, etc.).

Also, before starting work, you should check the equipment for operability (fill in oil, install a bit, etc.).

The impact tool should be held only by insulated areas in order to prevent electric shock in case of accidental contact with hidden electrical wiring.

Impact removal of the screed is carried out according to the following algorithm:

1. You should firmly take the tool in your hands and take a stable position (nothing should interfere with the work);
2. Turning on the tool first at low speed, you should dismantle the screed, starting from the far corner of the room;
3. Breaking off small segments of the screed, you should move deeper into the room;
4. At the same time, loose pieces of old screed should be removed (which may require building bags or similar products).

It should be noted that when removing the floor screed by impact, a power tool (perforator, jackhammer) is usually used, which is why the work must be done with interruptions sufficient to cool the electrical equipment. Usually, after 10 minutes of work, a 5-minute break is enough.

Screed removal by cutting

It becomes possible when dismantling a floor screed that does not contain metal inclusions (reinforcement). Most often, such work is carried out using a wall chaser or a joint cutter, which in its design resembles a grinder on wheels. However, in some cases (when working at home), cutting the screed can also be done using a conventional grinder, equipped with a diamond-coated cutting disc.

The essence of the work in this case boils down to the fact that the screed is first cut into small segments of 10x10mm (20x20mm), and then the “pieces of the pie” are simply picked out of their places with a long chisel or crowbar. The only limitation is the depth of the screed, and if it is greater than the radius of the cutting disc, then it will be very problematic to remove the material by cutting.

The advantage of this method of dismantling the screed over the previous option is that the work does not create much noise and is more accurate. Although dust and dirt still can not get rid of.

In order for the process of dismantling the old screed to be most optimal, it is advisable to adhere to the basic recommendations during the work.

So, firstly, the type of overlap should be studied and the possibility of its destruction together with the screed should be taken into account (a hole may form, etc.). And also coordinate their actions with neighbors (especially the floor below).

Secondly, during the dismantling work, a lot of construction dust can be formed, which is why the surface should be periodically moistened with water.

Thirdly, you should take out construction waste to specially designated places or use the services of specialized companies.

And finally, when all the work has been completed, and construction debris has been removed, it is necessary to make sure that all utilities are intact and prepare the foundation for laying a new layer of mortar.

Video review of floor screed removal:

If you liked the material, I will be grateful if you recommend it to friends or leave a useful comment.

One of the most common tasks that requires a major overhaul is the dismantling of the old screed. The latter is a layer, which is a kind of "roof", which is located above the bearing floor and effectively corrects all its uneven places. If such a base is in poor condition, then when installing a new floor, it should be replaced, guided by the recommendations listed below.

When should the screed be removed?

Unfortunately, over time, any flooring base becomes unusable. This thesis is true for any materials - both cement-sand mixtures, and for more innovative, related to the category of composites. Experience shows that most often the screed needs to be replaced due to its deformation, which makes further operation of the layer extremely problematic.

It is worth noting that in some situations, you can limit yourself to a less radical solution, which involves restoring the leveling layer without removing it.

As for the cases when the screed must be dismantled, they provide for the presence of any of the following factors:

• very deplorable condition of the base of the flooring, characterized by multiple cracks, potholes, chips and significant elevation changes;
• installation of a warm floor and / or restoration of utilities located in the thickness of the leveling layer;
• the impossibility of fully placing a new screed on top of the old one (as a rule, this trouble is characteristic of buildings equipped with wooden or combined floors).

In addition, the dismantling of the existing base is necessary in situations that require lowering the floor level. In particular, this is necessary for the qualitative connection of dissimilar materials and to nullify differences in height between adjacent rooms.

Determining the cost of work

There are several main criteria, the consideration of which allows you to calculate the price of dismantling the floor screed.

These are:

• the thickness of the removed base;
• number of layers;
• screed material;
• the total area of ​​the dismantled leveling layer;
• the presence of a reinforced base or its absence.

It is also worth adding that in situations where it is necessary to draw up an estimate, it is rational to use data from the following regulatory bases as a guideline:

• Collection GESN-11 Floors;
• Rates FER-11 Floors;
• Collection TER-11 Floors.

The first base is the State elemental estimated norms, and the other two are the Federal and Territorial unit rates, respectively. When making calculations, it is necessary to take into account the transition index - from the federal prices of 2000 to the current ones.

Preparatory activities

Before proceeding with the procedure for removing the old screed, you need to solve several problems, each of which is important in its own way.

First of all, this is the dismantling of decorative floor materials, such as:

• linoleum;
• laminate;
• parquet;
• tile;
• plinth.

All listed trim elements must be removed before dismantling begins. Operations with tiles are the most difficult: being planted on cement, they can be removed only with a leveling layer, which implies significant damage to them.

Another important action, which requires preparation for dismantling the screed, is to determine the location of utilities - for example, heating pipes laid in the thickness of the leveling layer. It is strongly not recommended to ignore this advice - in order to avoid deformation of the latter, and sometimes more serious damage to them. Special attention should be paid to the search for hidden wiring, not forgetting to de-energize the place of dismantling in advance.

Used inventory

When choosing a tool, the use of which allows you to professionally solve the problem considered in this material, first of all, you need to take into account the features of the existing screed.

Practice shows that most often in such cases they use:

• jackhammers;
• perforators;
• angle grinders ("grinders");
• concrete cutters.

If the performer considers it justified to carry out dismantling manually, then it is reasonable for him to acquire the following tools:

• sledgehammer;
• chisel;
• an ordinary hammer (suitable only in cases where the room being repaired does not have a large area).

As for the ease of removing the screed, the easiest way to get rid of its dry variety: in most of these situations, only hand tools are enough. But in the case of a semi-dry leveling base, this option cannot be called preferable - due to the fact that its composition suggests the presence of durable cement grade M500, and sometimes a strong reinforcing mesh. It is also reasonable to carry out the dismantling of a “wet” screed using a power tool - a solution that is characterized by maximum performance.

impact method

The technique under consideration involves breaking off fragments of the screed with their subsequent removal. To perform such work, the performer needs a percussion power tool, which can be replaced with a simple sledgehammer or crowbar - provided that the solution of the problem does not require high performance. It should also be noted that the described method is only suitable in cases where the concrete surface is not reinforced with reinforcing elements.

In order for the performance of work with a jackhammer or other impact electric tools to comply with all safety standards, It is advisable for the performer to use the following personal protective equipment:

• respirator;
• jumpsuit made of dense material;
• anti-noise inserts ("ear plugs");
• anti-vibration gloves;
• glasses.

In addition, the equipment used must be checked in advance for operability - in order to avoid failures in the process of operation and other unpleasant consequences.

When performing shock dismantling of the old screed, you need to follow the simple sequence of actions presented below:

• the tool must be securely fixed in the hands, while choosing the most stable position;
• it is rational to start removing the leveling layer from the far corner of the room;
• the speed of the equipment used must be increased gradually;
• it is desirable to break off as small fragments as possible from the screed, moving slowly;
• broken off pieces of the old base of the flooring are recommended to be removed immediately using construction waste bags or other suitable products.

Do not forget that the percussion instrument must be held only by those areas that are carefully insulated. This precautionary measure helps to avoid electric shock to the performer, who accidentally got into hidden wiring with a jackhammer chisel.

Another point that needs to be taken into account in such a situation is the inevitable heating of the power tool used. In order to avoid the failure of expensive equipment, it needs to be given a “breather”, the duration of which is sufficient to cool the equipment. The recommended duration of such breaks is about 5 minutes, after every 10 minutes of tool operation.

Removal by slicing

This method is most relevant in situations requiring the dismantling of a reinforced screed - a leveling layer reinforced with metal inclusions. In the same way, experts advise getting rid of a certain area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe base of the floor covering, when other areas need to be left untouched. A joint cutter, an electrical appliance “armed” with a rotating diamond-coated disc, is best handled with such tasks. This tool cuts both rebar and concrete to a depth limited by the radius of its cutting disc.

If there is no joint cutter, then at home it can be replaced by an ordinary grinder - provided it is equipped with a diamond-coated disc. This is due to the fact that a standard circle designed for metal is powerless against concrete.

To remove the old screed using the described method, you must adhere to the following algorithm:

• the dismantled layer is cut into small fragments;
• the resulting pieces are picked out with a crowbar, chisel or other suitable tool;
• all removed fragments of the screed are packed in bags for construction waste.

The main advantage of the presented method of dismantling is the relatively low noise. In addition, it allows you to work more accurately, and therefore does not involve the formation of too much dirt and dust.

But this technique also has its drawbacks:

• high complexity of using a joint cutter, requiring two people to perform work;
• the need for a three-phase power supply system capable of providing power up to 14 kW;
• decent cost of equipment - both purchase and rental.

It also makes sense to note that such tools need constant cooling, which requires a full water supply.

Drill Application

Sometimes it happens that the used puncher is not able to solve all the tasks assigned to it, related to the dismantling of the old screed.

In such cases, he can be "helped" by doing the following:

• buy a drill with a diamond tip;
• make as many holes in the concrete as possible;
• chip off the sections of the leveling layer, drilled on all sides, using a pike.

Special attention should be paid to the angle between the drill and the base of the floor covering to be dismantled. It should be straight to minimize the chance of damage to the cutting tool being used.

Most often, such dismantling is justified in situations where it is necessary to replace not the entire screed, but its specific section. In addition, the described method is the least noisy, and therefore optimally suited for repair work in residential buildings. The only tangible drawback of this method is the rapid heating of the perforator, which requires regular pauses to cool it down. Part of this problem can be solved by using a second tool with similar performance.

A concrete or cement screed is used to level the surface of the concrete subfloor before laying the final floor covering. How to remove the screed from the floor when it becomes unusable or it is time for a major overhaul, this issue affects many during repairs. The choice of method and the overall complexity of the operation depend on the type of screed, its thickness and the area of ​​the coating to be dismantled.

You can dismantle any screed - the difference is only in the complexity.

1. Wet floor screed. This classic method, proven for decades, is still widely used today, due to the low cost per square meter of the finished coating. It is applied to a base cleaned of dust, primed and dried. Requires the installation of damping tape along the perimeter of the junction with the walls for waterproofing and suppression of the spread of structure-borne noise.
   To increase the strength, a reinforcing mesh - metal or plastic - is laid in the screed.
   Requires additional leveling of the surface. The dismantling of such a screed is the most time-consuming, it requires crushing, sawing or milling a capital structure that is firmly connected to the ceiling and walls. Professional equipment is required, it is also difficult to remove residues after dismantling.
2. Dry screed. This is a fast technology, the screed material is poured between the lighthouse lags, rammed and covered with plywood or OSB sheets. It also requires sealing the cracks and cavities of the base, its waterproofing. It is important that the sheets rest not only on the logs, but also on the surface of the backfill material. Such a screed is more expensive than wet, it is more afraid of moisture.
   Dismantling of this design is easy - just unscrew the screws, remove the sheets and logs, immerse the backfill material in bags and take them out.
3. Semi-dry screed. It is carried out in a mechanized way, a large amount of fiber is added to the cement mixture. The solution with a small proportion of water is supplied to the surface by a pneumatic supercharger, after which it is rammed. The fiberglass increases the internal cohesion, so mesh reinforcement is not necessary. The cost is also high, due to the high cost of equipment and the involvement of qualified specialists. Dismantling such a screed is easier than wet and harder than dry.

Usually, when choosing a type, they don’t think about how to remove the concrete screed later, they don’t take into account the cost and laboriousness of its dismantling.

Relevance of dismantling

The strength of the screeds is always lower than that of the main building structures, and the daily loads on it are no lower. In addition, these loads are not constant, they occur in different places. Therefore, the screed wears out, and wears out unevenly. After a few years, zones stand out and weaken near the doors, where the flow of people passing by is concentrated, near kitchen equipment, plumbing fixtures, etc. The least wear is observed in the corners, where there is practically no variable load. In addition, the state of the screed is affected by periodic and constant displacements of the base elements, especially if it is assembled from several slabs.

During a major overhaul, the project almost always includes the dismantling of the old and the installation of a new screed. Often this is easier to do than to carry out fault detection, determining the degree of safety of individual sections and their suitability for further exploitation. Yes, and a new screed will last longer than a partially corrected one.

If the defects are obvious, for example, sedimentation of the coating along the junction of the plates or at the junction with the supporting wall or pillar, a partial dismantling is carried out with the installation of a new screed on the damaged area.

The old screed is dismantled if:

• base defects are found;
• numerous cracks are visible;
• found errors during installation;
• level down is required;
• installation (or replacement) of underfloor heating equipment is planned;
• it is necessary to replace the communications embedded inside the screed.

The dismantling of the old screed is physically difficult, time-consuming, a lot of waste and dust is generated in the process. They require professional equipment and specific skills.

There are cases when, with an acceptable state of the old screed, a new one is decided to be poured directly on top of the existing one. Such a decision should be taken with great care, especially if the thickness of the old screed is large. The total load on the floors may be unacceptable. In each individual case, a rigorous engineering calculation is required.

Features and methods of removing the screed

Removing a wet and semi-dry screed is reduced to mechanically breaking it into separate pieces by one method or another and removing these pieces.

The way in which the old screed can be removed from the floor is selected based on the thickness and material of the coating, the total area, thickness and material of the floor, the number and type of communications inside the screed and in the underlying floor.

With partial disassembly in a small area (corner of a room, toilet, etc.), you can get by with a hand tool, such as a chisel and a small sledgehammer.

If the thickness of the screed is more than 3 cm, or it is reinforced with a steel mesh, then serious aggregates cannot be dispensed with. To destroy the coating are used:

• pneumatic jackhammer;
• powerful perforator with a nozzle in the form of a spade or spatula;
• high power circular saw equipped with a diamond blade for working on stone and iron.

There is another way in which you can also remove the screed layer. It can be dismantled with a puncher or a circular saw in a limited area. On the scale of the apartment, you will have to use a jackhammer.

Before making a decision to start working with a puncher or a jackhammer, it is imperative to obtain the written consent of the residents of nearby apartments to carry out work on certain days and hours.

Tools and means of protection

The work will require a small number of tools and equipment, but it must be professional and high-performance, and the hand tool must be serviceable and reliable:

To destroy the screed you will need:

• jackhammer, compressor, hoses;
• if a compressor with an internal combustion engine is used, the length of the hoses should be enough from its installation site on the street to the farthest corner of the apartment;
• perforator with interchangeable nozzles;
• angle grinder with a diamond disc for the destruction of the reinforcing mesh;

To clean up construction debris:

• durable metal scoop;
• hard broom;
• estimate;
• construction vacuum cleaner;
• a large number of bags for collecting and disposing of waste or a construction sleeve fixed under the window;
• garbage container.

From personal protective equipment you will need:

• vibration-isolating gloves for working with a jackhammer or perforator;
• a large number of construction gloves for loading fragments into bags;
• construction helmet with integrated or separate vibration earpieces;
• stock of respirators;
• construction shoes with a steel toe cap.

For power tools, you should provide for a supply of consumables - discs, tips, perforating oil.

Preparatory work

Before reading the work, you need to make sure that there is an exact plan for all communications passing both in the screed and in the ceiling under it. When using powerful routers, circular saws, jackhammers, there is a significant risk of damage.

Therefore, ALL communications, even those that lie below the layer to be removed, must be turned off for the duration of the work: the electrical networks are de-energized, water or coolant must be drained from the pipelines.

During dismantling, a large amount of dust is generated, therefore, all furniture, equipment, household appliances, windows and all horizontal surfaces remaining in the apartment must be securely covered with polyethylene sheets or a special non-woven covering material.

At this stage, the state of the screed is assessed and the final decision is made - to repair it or replace it.

Stages of dismantling

Actually, the disassembly of the screed is divided into several stages:

1. Open a small piece of the coating, evaluate the actual thickness of the screed, the presence and quality of the reinforcing mesh, the presence and direction of communications (and the compliance of their location with existing plans). The measurement will provide an opportunity to assess the volume and duration of work, the amount of construction waste received.
2. Bypassing the communications routes, in several places destroy the screed with a jackhammer. Start removing the coating from the far corner of the room
3. Connect the starting points with strips of the removed screed, when the wall is cleared, move to the exit in the same way. Care must be taken not to destroy the overlap instead of the screed.
4. In order to notice in time and not damage communications, you should often put broken pieces in bags.
5. Periodically take out bags of garbage so as not to clutter up the room and not overload individual overlap points. It is not recommended to stack bags in several rows.
6. After removing the waste bags, sweep and vacuum the exposed floor.

Now you can start preparing for the device of a new screed.

Nuances of partial dismantling

In a number of cases, there is no need to completely dismantle the old screed.

For example, if you need to arrange a warm floor on a limited surface, or reduce the overall level. Apply the following sequence of actions:

1. A grinder or a circular saw with a diamond wheel for working on stone makes a large number of parallel cuts. It is more convenient to work with a saw because it has a mechanism for limiting the depth of cut, so they all come out the same.
2. It is better to connect a construction vacuum cleaner to the saw to remove the resulting dust.
3. Using a perforator with a spatula nozzle, carefully chop off the cut strips.
4. Remove the generated waste with a dustpan and a hard plastic whisk
5. Vacuum the cleaned area of ​​the floor.
6. To level the surface, fill it with a solution of the Vetonit type.

If it is necessary to remove a part of the screed that has a large thickness, you can use a construction router - a diamond-coated core drill. Holes are drilled over the entire area to be cleaned with a small indent, then the remaining partitions are broken with a perforator with a spatula nozzle.

Dismantling the old screed is a rather laborious and dusty undertaking. In order for it not to create problems, it must be coordinated with neighbors and carefully planned. For complete dismantling, pneumatic jackhammers are used, with partial dismantling, you can get by with a circular saw and a perforator.