SLC Drying times

[Rich Midge]

Hi all, was just wondering out of pure curiosity how long people leave slc before they tile? Tilemaster's Rapid 30 is the only one I tile on same day. Most others state they cure in around 3 hours and are good to go. Others say cure in 3 hours but don't tile for 8. I always tile next day, don't feel comfortable laying same day but don't know if this is just habit.

 

[Andy Allen]

I use weber and always leave till the next day..

 

[widler]

I leave till next day, even with rapid 30, just tell customer " aye, can't tile over it for at least 12 hours"
Early dart [emoji41]

 

[Ian]

Yeah I always leave til the next day.

 

[Ajax123]

Curing and drying are different things.

 

[CJ]

Next day.

 

[kimboslash]

Never tiled on top of SLC the same day.

 

[Rookery]

It depends on thickness but generally next day.

 

[Rich Midge]

Curing and drying are different things.

Presumably slc, screeds etc are dry enough to tile after x amount of time without being fully cured? Though I imagine its a different answer for different screeds.
Anyhow, glad it's not just me leaving leveller a day!

 

[Ajax123]

Presumably slc, screeds etc are dry enough to tile after x amount of time without being fully cured? Though I imagine its a different answer for different screeds.
Anyhow, glad it's not just me leaving leveller a day!

Curing involves retaining the moisture in the screed in order that the cement can hydrate properly. Therefore, from the technical purist point of view, the screed cannot dry whilst it is being cured. once it has been cured it can then be allowed to dry. It is not really possible to determine if it is dry enough to tile without carrying out moisture test but being reasonable a day should generally do it. There are screeds that use chemical means to tie up the water which will be dry enough earlier. Some say 4 hours. My concern is that if the cement is still hydrating at this time then it is shrinking and could crack or curl and part company with the sub floor. Leaving it 24 hours is almost like having a safety net so that is any cracking or curling is going to happen it is likely to have already happened after 24 hours and you can decide if it is mechanically safe to tile to.