Dismantling a cement-sand floor screed in an apartment: how to remove the layer

Dismantling the screed can be done with a hammer drill or a regular grinder with a diamond attachment. There are several types of removal of the previous base; the choice depends on the thickness of the coating, the material of manufacture and the area of ​​the room. A description of the main technologies and step-by-step instructions can be found in the presented material.

In what cases is the screed dismantled?

Dismantling the floor screed is a major repair option that is carried out to replace the floor covering in order to install a new one. It is the screed that determines the strength and durability of the floor; it usually lasts for many years. In most cases, the surface is repairable. But there are also situations when you need to figure out how to remove the screed. We are talking about complete dismantling in the following cases:

• significant deformation or complete destruction of the previous foundation;
• cracks on the surface;
• the screed is normal, but it is planned to create a heated floor contour;
• it is necessary to lay other utilities;
• errors when installing the old floor, use of low-quality materials;
• weak floors requiring reinforcement;
• dismantling the cement-sand screed is also required if there is a need to raise the floor level or, conversely, lower it;
• finally, a complete replacement is started even if the facing layer is removed due to cracking.

Thus, dismantling the screed in an apartment is a mandatory procedure that is needed if the old coating has become unusable. There is no point in identifying places of deformation and carrying out spot repairs - it is easier to remove the old screed.

Dismantling methods

Dismantling floor screed in an apartment is carried out in different ways. As a rule, such work is carried out by specialists. However, if the area is small and you have the appropriate tools, you can do it yourself. Depending on the characteristics of the coating and the complexity of the work, different methods are used:

1. Dismantling old floor screed by cutting out. To do this, use a grinder with a particularly durable diamond blade. A hand chain saw or a joint cutter can replace the tool. First, measure the height of the rough layer. Then the surface is cut into identical pieces with an area of ​​half a square meter and hollowed out with a crowbar.
2. Another way to remove a screed from the floor is using impact technology. To do this, the concrete is subjected to a shock force of such intensity that the surface begins to collapse. You can use different tools, for example, a jackhammer. Effective on an area up to 50 m2. A good option is also a hammer drill with a pick or chisel (you need to work in drilling mode). Another option is a set of chisels, crowbar and hammer. With their help, they manually break the floor into fragments of up to 5 m2 and remove the debris.
3. Dismantling the old screed is also possible by drilling. A hammer drill is also used for this. You can also use a powerful drill with diamond drilling. First, holes are drilled all over the floor to the rough base and then each of them is knocked out.
4. If professional dismantling of cement screed over large areas is required, robotic machines can be used.In this case, you can remove almost any layer, including 10-15 cm and even more. The machines are usually controlled remotely because it is unsafe to be indoors while working.
5. Finally, you can remove the floor screed layer using special means, for example, HPC-1M or HPB-80. They contain substances that destroy concrete. First, cracks are made in it, where the mixtures are poured, and after 2 days the broken fragments are removed.

Preparing the room and tools

Dismantling a semi-dry screed begins with preparing the room:

1. Take out all the furniture and other items - the room should be empty.
2. Remove the floor covering (parquet, laminate, etc.).
3. Warn neighbors in advance about the work.
4. Study the route of communications and make appropriate markings on the floor so as not to damage the network.

In order for the dismantling of cement floors to proceed correctly, tools must be prepared in advance.

• Bulgarian;
• electric jackhammer;
• scrap;
• seam cutter;
• sledgehammer;
• chain saw;
• hammer drill

The set of tools may vary depending on the chosen method of removing the floor screed. In all cases, a construction vacuum cleaner is used, because a lot of dust is generated during work. You will also need certain materials:

• glasses;
• helmet;
• boots;
• gloves;
• respirator;
• special clothing;
• noise protection headphones;
• thick garbage bags.

Step-by-step instructions for dismantling

To remove an old screed from the floor, proceed as follows:

1. Carefully inspect the old screed and determine the need for complete or partial dismantling.
2. You will also need to evaluate the thickness, composition, whether there are utilities and a reinforcement layer.To do this, cut out a small layer using a grinder or a hammer drill.
3. By examining the piece, they determine the method of work. The most common option at home is an angle grinder with a durable diamond blade. It is used to cut strips along the entire perimeter. They should be narrow - about 5-7 cm.
4. Remove dust.
5. Place a “spatula” on the puncher and cut off the resulting strips. This is the basic technology of how to remove a layer of screed.
6. This is done along each strip, the remaining material is thrown away and treated with a vacuum cleaner.
7. Then fill the floor with a self-leveling compound.

Thus, technically speaking, dismantling is not so difficult. However, the work requires careful adherence to safety precautions and the use of appropriate equipment. If you have no experience, it is better to call a team of specialists.