Porcelain stoneware on calcium sulfate screed - what to consider?

Hello,

in our new building, we have two unheated basement rooms with a calcium sulfate self-leveling screed that has been drying for almost 6 weeks now. The rooms are 6 and 10 square meters in size.

I would like to tile the two rooms myself using YouTube, Hornbach videos, etc.

My question beforehand would be: What must be considered with this screed, apart from of course less than 0.5% residual moisture? Are there sensible alternatives to tiling, e.g. PVC flooring?

Hello Andreas. In practice, a trade like flooring installation will always present itself somewhat differently than in a short video. Otherwise, one would not need the appropriate training and expertise if "knowledge" could be conveyed quickly via video sequence. The correct measurement of residual moisture is one thing. If misinterpretations occur at this stage, a total failure of a floating screed cannot be ruled out. Cleaning grind: this is always (!) necessary before further construction to remove adhesion-reducing layers. However, this step usually does not appear in the so-called help videos. Priming and filling: a bonding agent (primer) is mandatory, the tension-free curing filler is applied without trowel marks or combing. This not only ensures the necessary surface evenness but also creates a uniformly absorbent surface for the later adhesive. There is indeed a lot to consider. That even specialist companies do not always execute damage-free work, although their experience did not come from a video, I can confirm from my professional practice as an expert. There are trades where the layperson should be cautious – and be aware of the risk they bear regarding the expected success. ---------------------- Regards: KlaRa

Ok, then maybe better an epoxy resin coating or vinyl floating? As said, it should be an affordable solution for occasionally used storage rooms

If the room is subject only to a subordinate use, a largely abrasion-resistant "concrete paint" from the hardware store, which is applied by rolling, is ultimately sufficient. However, this will be based on dispersion and not on synthetic resin. But that is sufficient for the described application case!

Thank you for the hint!

The thing with the synthetic resin was wrong, I got it mixed up. Then I'll look for such a paint