TryBuildCalcFloor Screed Verification Checklist
🕒 Last updated: June 28, 2026
Essential Checklist+−
Complete these critical checks before approving the work or proceeding to the next construction stage.
✓26 Inspection Points
✓5 Verification Categories
✓Volume Estimation & Mix Selection+-
- Screed area measured on site — gross area with deductions for columns, walls, and fixed items
- Screed thickness confirmed from floor level drawing — accounts for tile, flooring, and finished floor level
- Screed type confirmed — bonded, unbonded, or floating; conventional or semi-dry
- Screed mix ratio confirmed — 1:3 to 1:4 cement:sand for conventional screed
- Dry volume factor of 1.30 applied — screed is a mortar (no coarse aggregate)
- Wastage of 10–15% added to screed volume
✓Substrate Preparation+-
- Structural slab cleaned of all dust, laitance, oil, and curing compound before screed
- For bonded screed — slab surface mechanically prepared and bonding slurry applied
- For unbonded screed — DPM (250-micron polythene) laid flat, lapped 300mm, turned up at edges
- For floating screed — insulation boards flat, fully supported, joints staggered
- Perimeter isolation strips installed at all walls, columns, and fixed elements before screed
- All floor services (underfloor heating, conduits, pipes) installed and tested before screed
- Structural slab level surveyed — high and low points identified, screed thickness variation managed
✓Laying & Level Control+-
- Screed rails or dots set to correct finished screed level across full floor area
- Laser level or optical level used to confirm finished screed level at multiple points
- Semi-dry screed consistency correct — holds shape when squeezed in the fist without releasing free water
- Screed bays planned — maximum 40 m² per bay, or 8m maximum dimension
- Screed fully compacted — tamped or rolled to close voids before floating
✓Curing & Protection+-
- Screed curing started within 24 hours — polythene sheet or damp hessian applied
- Screed cured for minimum 7 days — polythene or wet hessian maintained throughout
- No foot traffic for 24 hours; no point loads or stacked materials for 7 days
- Screed confirmed dry before floor finish is applied — minimum 1 day per mm thickness
- Screed inspected for cracking after curing — hairline cracks logged, wide cracks investigated
✓Quality Checks & Defect Prevention+-
- Screed flatness checked with 3m straightedge — deviation within ±3mm for tiled floors
- Screed hollow test performed — tap entire screed systematically before floor finish
- Structural expansion joints in slab continued through screed — not bridged
Full QC Checklist+−
Verification checklist for floor screed estimation and laying — covering volume calculation, mix selection, substrate preparation, laying sequence, level control, curing, and defect prevention. Use the Essential Checklist for critical checks before and during screed laying; expand to Full QC Checklist for complete screed quality control from substrate through finished surface.
✓32 Inspection Points
✓5 Verification Categories
✓Volume Estimation & Mix Selection+-
- Screed area measured on site — gross area with deductions for columns, walls, and fixed items
- Screed thickness confirmed from floor level drawing — accounts for tile, flooring, and finished floor level
- Screed type confirmed — bonded, unbonded, or floating; conventional or semi-dry
- Screed mix ratio confirmed — 1:3 to 1:4 cement:sand for conventional screed
- Dry volume factor of 1.30 applied — screed is a mortar (no coarse aggregate)
- Wastage of 10–15% added to screed volume
- Calculated quantities checked against reference — 50mm screed at 1:4 requires approximately 10 bags cement per 10 m²
- For underfloor heating screeds — minimum 65mm above top of heating pipe confirmed
✓Substrate Preparation+-
- Structural slab cleaned of all dust, laitance, oil, and curing compound before screed
- For bonded screed — slab surface mechanically prepared and bonding slurry applied
- For unbonded screed — DPM (250-micron polythene) laid flat, lapped 300mm, turned up at edges
- For floating screed — insulation boards flat, fully supported, joints staggered
- Perimeter isolation strips installed at all walls, columns, and fixed elements before screed
- All floor services (underfloor heating, conduits, pipes) installed and tested before screed
- Structural slab level surveyed — high and low points identified, screed thickness variation managed
- Structural slab moisture content confirmed below 75% RH before bonded or floating screed
✓Laying & Level Control+-
- Screed rails or dots set to correct finished screed level across full floor area
- Laser level or optical level used to confirm finished screed level at multiple points
- Semi-dry screed consistency correct — holds shape when squeezed in the fist without releasing free water
- Screed bays planned — maximum 40 m² per bay, or 8m maximum dimension
- Screed fully compacted — tamped or rolled to close voids before floating
- Power floating timed correctly — screed firm enough to support the machine without overworking
- Falls to floor drains confirmed and verified — minimum 1:80 fall toward drain
✓Curing & Protection+-
- Screed curing started within 24 hours — polythene sheet or damp hessian applied
- Screed cured for minimum 7 days — polythene or wet hessian maintained throughout
- No foot traffic for 24 hours; no point loads or stacked materials for 7 days
- Screed confirmed dry before floor finish is applied — minimum 1 day per mm thickness
- Screed inspected for cracking after curing — hairline cracks logged, wide cracks investigated
- Screed protected from damage during remaining construction — hardboard or plywood cover provided
✓Quality Checks & Defect Prevention+-
- Screed flatness checked with 3m straightedge — deviation within ±3mm for tiled floors
- Screed hollow test performed — tap entire screed systematically before floor finish
- Structural expansion joints in slab continued through screed — not bridged
Inspection Notes+-
Use the latest drawings, measured site inputs, supplier quotations, and material test information.
Complete all critical checks before ordering, accepting delivery, or approving the related work stage.
Record deviations and confirm rectification where required.
Inspection Notes
Use the latest drawings, measured site inputs, supplier quotations, and material test information.
Complete all critical checks before ordering, accepting delivery, or approving the related work stage.
Record deviations and confirm rectification where required.
Related Calculators & Guides
Floor Screed CalculatorEstimate cement, sand, wet volume, dry volume, and wastage for floor screed work.Mortar Mix Ratio GuideReview mortar and screed mix ratio selection before confirming site batching.Construction Material Wastage GuideReview practical wastage allowances before finalizing cement and sand procurement.Tile Adhesive CalculatorEstimate tile adhesive after screed levels and floor finish buildup are confirmed.