You can level the floor with screed in several ways. There is a dry screed, semi-dry and wet, in addition, there are mixtures that pour themselves. Here, the dry mix, for example, is diluted with water and mixed until the moment when it acquires the necessary consistency. The resulting solution spreads independently, forming a flat surface. But even here the process needs to be controlled through special beacons to see how smooth the floor is. On the installation of beacons, as well as how to use them to level the floor, we'll talk in this article.
Setting Beacons to the Floor
How to determine the zero level?
Before the start of the fill, it is necessary to arrange the beacons correctly. For this purpose, we make marks on the entire perimeter, using a laser or a level they should be made as often as possible and connected with a solid line.
So, we arm ourselves with a pencil and a rope. We expose a horizontal line, depending on what the height of the screed is planned. Rope we measure the same distances along the perimeter and denote the highest level of the floor( in the figure it is a CD).That's why we will put beacons. Depending on the type of screed chosen, the beacons can be located at a distance of 25-30 centimeters from the wall, for which the corresponding line is drawn on the floor.
You can use another method: at a certain level, tighten the screws and pull the rope between them. On it will be placed beacons. The profile in the future should relate to the level delineated by a rope.
With respect to the distance between the beacons, it should be approximately 10-15 centimeters shorter than the rule used in the work. The latter should literally slide along the beacons, which is why they are called guides. Often they are placed parallel to each other along the entire perimeter.
If the coupler is wet, you can not use cardboard, plywood and so on for laying, but in the case of a dry screed - please. They need to be placed at intervals of thirty centimeters, otherwise the profile will bend.
Definition of zero level for setting of beacons
What beacons are used for dry screed
There are two variants of such beacons:
- Profile in the form of a letter "P".
- Ceiling profile, designed for plasterboard with dimensions of 27 to 60 millimeters.
Let's look at each of the options.
1. U-shaped profile.
As far as we know, with a dry screed, loose material is leveled and leveled, mainly expanded clay. But how are the beacons chosen for dry binding? In terms of shape, it can be different, because in this case the beacons will always be in expanded clay. So the height of the lighthouses will be the same as the height of the screed, often at least three centimeters. The profile should be strong, so as not to bend and do not lead to deformation of the structure.
Then the voids between the edges are filled. Then we will follow the rule by lighthouses, in order to level the surface and remove the extra layer.
U-shaped profile perfectly suited as a beacon for the floor
2. Profile for gypsum cardboard.
For this method, more massive profiles are provided, for example, a ceiling profile intended for plasterboard. These kind of beacons look more like lags and are mounted for a wooden floor. Moreover, they need to be installed more often, about seven units for every three meters. Thanks to this, the sheets will fall immediately into several profiles. So we can achieve increased strength.
Profile for gypsum board for installation of beacons
Semi-dry and concrete screed. DSP
There are several types of beacons that can be used for screeding from sand and cement.
1. Profile on a concrete foundation.
The most popular profile in this case is a gypsum board profile with dimensions of 28 by 27 millimeters. It is mounted inverted on special supports - bars, piles of mortar, bricks. Often, such profile is fixed with alabaster, but it is desirable not the DSP - it dries for a long time, therefore you have to wait several days to continue working.
We proceed to the next stage after all is completely dry. Profiles here can be ordinary pipes, which after alignment are used for their intended purpose.
Profile on concrete foundation
2. Profile on self-tapping screws.
Here in the surface every thirty centimeters it is necessary to drive dowels, on which profiles for beacons will be fixed. Self-tapping screws can be easily adjusted, so there will be no problems with setting the level. For screeds around the perimeter, you can score wooden blocks, into which screws, in fact, are screwed.
The length of the bars will be approximately 15 centimeters, the diameter is 1.5 centimeters. It is in them that we screw in 91-millimeter self-tapping screws, first along the edges, then in the middle.
Profile fixing on self-drilling screws
3. Profile for floating screed
The so-called screed, which was laid on a foam for floor insulation. Here it is better to use self-tapping screws on which the foam is laid. After the screed has dried, the beacons are removed, and the holes are filled with a solution.
Scheme of fixing the profile for the floating screed
4. Combined profile
In the floor with a distance of one meter, plugs are clogged, then screws are screwed and aligned. The center is laid out a slide made of concrete, which should be slightly higher than the screws. By means of the rule, the mixture is pressed until the required height is obtained.
5. Semi-dry screed
A semi-dry screed can be erected even without beacons. Here we make two heaps of solution in the corners of the room, their height is regulated by the same level. Between them, the distance should be the same as the size of the rule, no more. When both beacons dry, the whole space is poured with a solution and is aligned with the rule on them.
Lighthouses for a semi-dry floor screed
6. "Grandfather" method
For this method, wooden blocks are used, not more than 3 centimeters thick. Such beacons must be previously soaked in water, otherwise they will negatively affect the concrete screed.
Wooden beacons for floor screed
Which beacons are used for the flooring floor
There are only two beacons.
1. Self-tapping screws.
Screws are screwed into dowels and placed on a level. They are attached to small pieces of punched tape, so that it was more convenient to measure the level. When you reach the required level, the screws need to be removed. Not expecting the solution to dry.
Sample of installation of the
lighthouse 2. Whip beacons.
The lights are not used in all cases, because it is believed that the mixture itself will spread. But you should not rely on it, it is better to use for this purpose so-called bench marks, or "trinogie" beacons. In the center of each of them there is a rod moving along which the level is determined. But preliminary the surface of a floor should be primed, and only in five-six days it is possible to fill. Reperes are set through each meter.
Whisper beacons photo
A few words about the wooden field
In the case of the wooden floor lags are used. These are long bars fixed at an appropriate height based on the zero level. Preliminary on all perimeter it is necessary to screw self-tapping screws, and on them it is already necessary to be guided at installation of lags.
Beacons for wooden floors
In general, the installation of beacons is a very delicate occupation. But the quality of the future floor covering largely depends on it, so it should be done correctly.
