Mortero de recrecido para pavimentos impresos de bajo espesor

As previously mentioned, a screed mortar is used when looking to make an imprinted concrete floor less than 10 centimeters. Either for aesthetic tastes and preferences or because there is not enough height to apply a thicker imprinted mortar.

Es importante destacar que un mortero de nivelación se puede usar tanto para renovar y rehabilitar un piso ya existente, como para ejecutar uno de construcción nueva. En el caso de un soporte de concreto viejo, si por alguna razón no se pudiera aplicar la nivelación, tendría que compactarse el terreno y elevarlo hasta alcanzar la altura deseada para después poder aplicar el producto.

Además, el Overlay de Topciment® es igualmente óptimo para espacios exteriores como interiores y resiste a los ciclos de congelación-descongelación a la perfección.

The system for making traditional imprinted concrete, that is, with an imprinted mortar or wearing layer, does not differ much from the application process of a leveling mortar.

Es fundamental limpiar e imprimar correctamente el soporte.

Make expansion joints and the relevant cuts.

Apply the appropriate bonding bridge to the support.

Use a good release agent, stamp the pavement with the chosen mold and seal it with a high-performance varnish.

Importante: Amasar mediante batidora o mezcladora de concreto el mortero de recrecido y mezclarlo con agua y polímero, si no está incorporado en el producto. El Overlay de Topciment® ya incorpora el polímero, por lo que solo habrá que agregar agua a la mezcla.

Depending on the formula of the screed mortar and the manufacturer's instructions, the mixes will be one or the other. As a general rule, the recommended proportion of water can range between 12% and 20% in relation to the mortar. In the summer season, in those cities and countries where it is very hot, the amount of water needed can increase. In the Topciment® Overlay, the proportion is 5L of water per 25K of mortar.

Next, we are going to detail the most common problems that can occur, and in fact do occur, when applying a screed mortar. Mistakes to avoid at all costs to avoid major setbacks over time.

1. Olvidarse de las juntas de dilatación

It may seem like a basic obviousness how to make expansion joints is not done with the accuracy that an imprinted pavement requires. A more common mistake than we would like and that causes the imprinted concrete to end up breaking due to unwanted cracks due to pressures from temperature changes and/or seismic movements. Especially on those surfaces heavily trafficked by heavy vehicles.

2. No hacer juntas perimetrales

Las juntas perimetrales representan la separación del recubrimiento respecto a elementos estructurales del pavimento. Su función principal es que la movilidad del recubrimiento no se vea comprometida. Por tanto, las juntas perimetrales deben colocarse en todos los encuentros del suelo de concreto estampado que va a ser realizado con el mortero de recrecido. Si no se hace, aparecerán tarde o temprano fisuras en el pavimento.

3. No respetar la proporción de mezcla del mortero de recrecido

We have previously detailed the importance of strictly following the instructions of each manufacturer regarding the kneading and mixing of the screed mortar. If not, not only will the consistency of the product be disrupted, but also the drying times and, what is more important and serious, the mechanical resistances will decrease. The lower the performance, the lower the quality and guarantee of the product.

4. No tomar en cuenta el desnivel del pavimento

It is necessary to pay special attention to the unevenness of the surface so that it does not exceed 15%. If it exceeds this figure, we will find more than palpable differences in thickness in the slopes of the imprinted concrete floor. An inequality that would crack the pavement.

Like any product, the cost of it does not depend on a single element, but is subject to various factors that determine its value. The quality of the screed mortar, the labor and dimensions of the pavement to be renovated, as well as the thickness of the product itself are just some of them.

If we stick strictly to the product, and approximately, in Spain the price per m2 of the leveling mortar can be about 15-30 euros.

No solo se puede, sino que es una excelente solución. El mortero de recrecido favorece la transferencia óptima del calor que emana del suelo radiante hacia la estancia o área en la que se encuentra. Pero no solo eso, sino que además se reducen al mínimo las posibles pérdidas de ese calor hacia las capas situadas más abajo. Una ventaja a la que hay que añadir el menor gasto energético y, por ende, el ahorro económico con el paso del tiempo.

The only thing is that a start-up protocol must be carried out for the underfloor heating to avoid shrinkage cracks. Therefore, it is necessary to apply the screed mortar precisely on a radiant floor and gradually increase the temperature.