Drying problems
Screed Not Drying — Diagnosis & Fix
If your screed is still wet six weeks in, it's not always the pour that's at fault. Usually it's the environment.
Liquid screed dries at roughly 1mm per day for the first 40mm, then slower. A 50mm pour should be tile-ready in 5–6 weeks in still, dry conditions.
If it's not drying, one of three things is usually wrong: no air movement, no dehumidification, or water still tracking in from an unresolved leak.
First things to check
- Are all the windows sealed and the doors closed?
- Is there a dehumidifier running 24/7?
- Is fresh water tracking in from a roof or plumbing leak?
- Has the UFH been commissioned and run through the drying schedule?
Force-drying protocol
- 1
Seal the space
Close windows and doors. Warm air needs to stay in.
- 2
Dehumidifiers
Two industrial dehumidifiers per 50m². Empty tanks daily.
- 3
Fans
Two air movers keeping the surface breeze at 1 m/s.
- 4
UFH commissioning
Run the UFH through the drying-out schedule from the manufacturer.
- 5
Test
Hair-hygrometer test at day 10 — retest weekly.
Frequently asked
Screed still wet?
Tell us the pour date, depth and site conditions. We'll set up a drying programme.