Just wondering how viable it is to take up a screed floor then fix battens so I can fit floorboards. The timber floor in my living room needs redoing. I don't fancy a floating floor on top of the existing. There is however an extention which is concrete. I have been told in theory I should be able to break up the screed and screw battens to the slab being careful not to penetrate the dpc but how thick is the screed and the slab usually.
Kevin
Why not excavate a bit in a corner, and find out? You'll probably find that the screed is a couple of inches thick - and the slab 4-6 inches. If you're
*very* unlucky, the DPC membrane will be between the slab and screed rather than under the slab!
The floor screeds that our company lay for several major housebuilders are from 50mm up to and above 150mm - depending upon preceding trades and the carpenter being bothered to set his stairs & door linings out properly, the only way you will find out the depth is by following set squares advice and dig up a corner. You will probably find out that the dpm is between the slab/pot & beam and the screed as is the usual method. Good luck,
Franko.
There is a bit that is breaking up next to the existing wooden floor, in line with the original window opening so I could excavate here as whatever I do this bit needs repairing but I will need to ensure that I excavate above the slab and not the original wall.
Kevin
Drilling just a small hole will tell you almost everything, from the feel of it and from the look of the powder on the bit.
snip
Another poster has suggested that having the DPM membrane above the main slab but below the screed is "normal" and that's what's been specified when I had my plans drawn up. Why would that be unlucky?
Paul
It would be unlucky for the OP because he wanted to remove the screed and screw some battens to the slab. He wouldn't be able to do that without penetrating the membrane.
When my extension was built 3 years ago, that was done with the membrane at the bottom (on top of a sand blind) then the slab, then a slab of rigid foam insulation, and finally the screed on top.
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