Removing screed in the basement room - suggestions?

Hello everyone, I started today to remove the screed in a basement room (must be done because the floor insulation is missing). I had hoped that there would at least be a foil or something between the base plate and the screed. Unfortunately, this is not the case... i.e. the screed is not floating and is therefore difficult to remove.

It is about 8.5 cm directly on the base plate.

So far, I have tried it piece by piece with a rotary hammer.

Are there better suggestions on how I can quickly and optimally achieve the goal and remove the screed here?

Regards Christian

Hello questioner. The 80mm thick screed was simply applied on the floor slab at the time. Well, that was state of the art in the past as well, I am talking here about construction years after the 1950s, definitely not. But apparently the plan was to provide the basement room with a subordinate use. That is why sealing as well as thermal insulation are missing. You will definitely need the former. If the screed has been removed (I only have equipment to replace the physical work), the sealing must first be extended past the later top layer. With the earth-contact construction method, you will not get around a 10cm thick thermal insulation, possibly with thinner insulation layers you will not have an optimal insulation effect of the floor. But none of this was requested by you. Better ways to remove/build back the screed only exist with professional tools, meaning heavy chiseling technology. All connected with "sufficient dust development". Unfortunately. Unfortunately, no further (less strenuous) recommendation can be given to you here. Especially since it is only a residential building, not a commercial hall, where completely different technology could be used. ------------- Good luck: KlaRa

That is one of the reasons why the screed has to/should be removed. There will be 4cm of insulation (specified by the energy consultant) added + sealing of the floor slab