How to make a concrete screed strong and durable: construction trick

Monolithic concrete coatings (floors, screeds, garden paths, parking lots) are often exposed to mechanical and atmospheric influences, as a result of which they quickly deteriorate. How to protect concrete and increase its service life - read on.

Dry ironing of concrete

The method is called dry ironing. It involves the application of a thin layer of cement mortar or cement-based composition to a concrete pavement, which, after hardening, forms an ultra-strong moisture resistant surface. Thus, concrete hardens, an increase in its waterproofing properties.

Basically, pure cement of high grades M400-M500 is used for ironing, but if necessary, quartz, basalt, glass, synthetic reinforcing fiber and other components are added to the composition. For example, when ironing floors in rooms with high humidity, sodium aluminate is added to the cement. This makes the concrete more dust and moisture repellent.

How to make concrete iron on your own

Consider the simplest iron, without adding various additives to the composition. This procedure requires:

• fine sieve (a regular sieve is suitable for sifting flour);
• hand trowel / concrete trowel (wooden, plastic or stainless steel - any) or trowel;
• cement (mainly M500 brand);
• container for water (basin or bucket).

Everything is done very simply.

• After you have poured the screed, you need to let it sit for 4-6 hours. During this time, excess air will come out of the concrete mixture; the surface will set, but remain sufficiently plastic and moist, which will ensure good adhesion of the base to the surface layer.

• Next, clean cement is poured into the sieve and with its help it is distributed in a thin layer over the surface. You can simply tap on the sieve and the cement will spill out in an even layer. The thickness of the dry cement layer on the surface should be 2-3 millimeters. Estimated consumption - 5 kg per 1m2.
• After that, the cement must be rubbed over the surface with a grater soaked in water. The cement should turn into a slurry, which must be rubbed / pressed well into the concrete surface.
• Allow the ironed surface to dry for 24 hours. After a day, you can walk on the screed. Concrete will gain final strength within 28 days.

Recommendations

Ironing of concrete is carried out only in dry cloudy weather or in the evening. It is impossible to carry out the procedure in direct sunlight and in windy weather.

How do you increase the strength of concrete? Write in the comments.

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