Cracked red screed ??

[Stef]

Yep that sounds like magnesite. They were generally either green or red. I beleive they were actually banned or at least fell from grace about 25 years ago.they were generally used in council properties but I have seen one or two in private builds.

Alan what was this actually used for at the time?

 

[Andy Allen]

Did pikey's used to lay floors in council houses..lol

 

[Stef]

Did pikey's used to lay floors in council houses..lol

It couldn't have been pikeys Andy it was at least 10mm thick.

 

[Ajax123]

Alan what was this actually used for at the time?

It was used as a simple levelling screed. It was one of the first thin screeds available. If you have a moisture meter (electronic style) it will show up as off the scale wet cos it is conductive. That is one of the identifying tests.

 

[Stef]

Cheers Alan, I was raking my brain & I'm more than certain that years ago we tiled a bathroom floor with such a floor. [emoji35]

Never ever heard a thing more about it so I'm assuming that it was ok but on reading this then I'm not so sure... [emoji26]

 

[Jelthetiler]

No pics? I've not been sleeping-worrying about his red floor!

 

[lewie]

Apologies. Long day yesterday and completely forgot. Here are some pics

 

[Ajax123]

Apologies. Long day yesterday and completely forgot. Here are some pics View attachment 59434 View attachment 59435 View attachment 59436

aha... Nope not magnesite. Looks just like a thin sand cement with som red pigment in. Perhaps they were trying to mimic a nice quarry tile floor. It looks a bit rubbish though.

 

[lewie]

What's your thoughts on tiling it ?

 

[Ajax123]

What's your thoughts on tiling it ?

Personally think it dangerous. It's thin, bonded so may get damp. It's also failing and if it's drum my it will fail further. I would recommend removal and reinstatement with an equivalent depth of suitable insulation (marmox etc) and tile that instead

 

[lewie]

drum?

 

[Ajax123]

drum?

Drummy... Hollow sounding due to delamination from the substrate

 

[lewie]

I'm very much for belt and braces so will advise my client of your comments.

Thank you for your help

Lewie