Who are We and what do we do? Established in 2012, Force-Dry, operate a hire fleet of Temporary site boilers to link onto underfloor heating loops laid within flowing liquid floor screeds to accelerate the drying process whilst at the same time providing the commissioning process as per the British standard BS8204 part 7-Pumpable self smoothing screeds code of practice. Working within the residential, leisure and commercial sectors driving quality assurance systems and reducing floor failures for main contractors and their clients
Why use Force-Dry? 50mm Screed natural drying time with good weather conditions = 60days minimum. However, with typical UK Weather up to 90-100 days Using Force-Dry boilers starting on day 7 following the pour = 21days with good environmental controls in place Gain Valuable Programme time Reduce the risk of floor failure and expensive remedial costs Drive quality assurance M&E Commissioning opportunities Background heat for follow on trades
The rise of liquid screeds Quicker to install with thinner screed depths up to 2000m2 per day Faster heat up times via superior encapsulation and heat transfer when in operation Reduced carbon footprint Reduced Weight loading on buildings
Quality Control Flow Test??? Simple flow test using a calibrated cylinder or flow cone on a flat scaled board which can be measured and checked against the manufacturers specification Photograph using smartphone and add to OEM Manual
Control & Manage the Environment! Control of the environment is critical to the drying process of any floor screed whether drying naturally or when Force-Drying, with the typical constraints found on site and poor environmental control measures dying rarely succeeds in the allotted programme time, resulting in possible floor failure. Good Practice; Avoid draughts across a newly laid screed Seal up openings including ceiling voids, close wherever possible, all doors and windows. Install a temporary seal if required. Day 4 Install and operate dehumidifiers and manage them well. Day 7 Remove laitance by sanding floors and introduce Force-Dry Boilers. Only test the moisture content of the floor in a controlled environment and consider the method of testing.
Moisture measurement! Tramex Protometer Carbide Bomb Testing Kit Hair Hygrometer Testing Kit
The Force-Dry objectives Promote a controlled drying process in line with British Standards* Improve Quality systems of Main Contractors & all stakeholders Reduce floor failure& expensive remediation Gain valuable programme time Reduce Latent Defects
The Force Drying Process-Best Practice Day 1 When the screed arrives, carry out the slump test prior to the pour, record result via photo, carry out the Pour, ensure the area is protected from rapid drying / draughts for the first 48-72 hours, Light foot traffic only after 48hours. Day 4-5 Introduce Dehumidifiers & ensure they are emptied regularly, consider drip tray under catchment tank. Ensure doors frames and ceilings are all sealed to aid the process. Failure to do so will prolong the drying time Day 6 Carry out Moisture test to establish the relative humidity 0-100% & record results Measure using - Air Hygrometer, Tramex meter, Protometer, Carbide Bomb Test(destructive method) Day 7 Sand floors to remove laitance (delaying this process could result in diamond grinding the surface as the laitance hardens over time) Introduce Force Dry Boilers at 20 degrees (or the lowest manifold temperature) Important! Manage Dehumidifiers Ensure doors frames and ceilings are all sealed to aid the process. Failure to do so will prolong the drying time. Check dehumidifiers and empty catchment tank regularly.
The Force Drying Process-Best Practice Day 8-13 Increase the boiler temperature by 5 deg per 24hr period until 50 degrees is reached then Hold temperature for 7 days. Day 14-20 For 40-50mm screed, maintain 50 degrees for 7 days. NOTE- For screeds over 50mm thick e.g. 75mm hold for 14 days. Day 21-26 Reduce boiler temperature by 5 degrees per day down to 20 degrees. Carry out moisture test prior to disconnecting boiler. If RH <75% is not achieved continue drying process. Day 27-28 Maintain dehumidifiers and carry out final moisture test, Aim for relative humidity of 75% or less before applying floor coverings. Follow screed Manufacturers instructions for suitable surface sealer / primer.
Remember; Removal of laitance, Good ventilation using Dehumidifiers and Force-Drying is critical to the drying/commissioning process which can be achieved in under 28 days for a 50mm screed. Open doors and windows, spaces that are not enclosed will delay the drying process. Moisture ingress Water ingress, Spillages & Using water to damp down will delay the drying process. Consider Hepa type filter vacuums Screeds dry at 1mm per day up to 40mm and 0.5mm per day above 40mm, but can take longer, as this is in good weather conditions which are rarely achieved in the UK.
Thank you for your time, any questions?