Before starting to set up the beacons, it is required to prepare the base for floor screed. The preparatory phase includes the following work:
- the base is carefully cleaned from foreign objects;
- dust and influx of concrete are removed;
- chips and pits are closed and leveled into the horizon;
- a primer is applied to the cleaned and leveled surface of the base;
- waterproofing is arranged;
- find the zero mark.
Finding a zero mark
Before placing beacons for the screed, you need to find a mark to which you can attach the subsequent marking. At this stage, the use of a laser level greatly facilitates the work of finishers.
When searching for a zero mark, perform the following actions:
- The laser level is adjusted so that its rays are reflected on all side surfaces of the room in which the screed is planned. The mark level at the initial stage of marking is unimportant, usually a height of 1000 mm is set. On vertical surfaces, a marker marks the line that the laser beam shows.
- Next, you need to measure the distance from the laser mark to the floor level. Such measurements are made in all adjacent rooms at different points. As a result of these measurements, the maximum point of the base is found.
- If the level beam cannot cover all the rooms, it is transferred and adjusted to the marks already received.
The determination of the maximum floor height point is required for the construction of screed beacons. The use of a DSP for pouring requires a thickness of 3 cm or more, a smaller size will not allow you to gain the recommended strength and cracks will appear when standing up. Accordingly, 20-30 mm is added to the point of maximum level, which becomes the starting point.
So, in order to find the desired screed height, it is necessary to subtract 30 mm from the value of the highest point (for example, 500 mm). We get 470 mm. This distance must be delayed from the original line from which measurements were made. Thus, we get the marking of the future surface of the screed. There are many options for setting beacons under the floor screed, but all of them, one way or another, require finding the original mark.
When making measurements, it must be remembered that at the concrete base of the floor slabs there are no bumps or depressions in the middle of the room, usually the points with extreme values are on opposite sides.
To avoid errors, it is recommended to draw up a paper plan in which you want to mark all measurements, and duplicate measurements on the walls with a construction pencil.
The use of traditional levels significantly complicates the marking, so it is necessary to take measures to search for a laser device (for example, to rent), which will speed up the process and avoid mistakes.
Installation of beacons for dry screed
The best option for organizing backfilling of dry screed is considered to use a metal P-profile. Given that the leveling bar after the work remains inside, you need to choose only reliable products that can withstand the load of the coating.
You can not install the guide on the screws, this method leads to damage to the waterproofing.
The use of a P-profile with a wall height of more than 27 mm will make a high-quality and convenient beacon. It is installed on the base, shelf down, using a solution to adjust the height and secure the beacon. The run between the profiles is selected based on the length of the rule.
Dry screed is equal, based on the rule on the guides, while after installing the finish coating, due to contact with the base of the clean floor only the edges of the profile, normal sound insulation is maintained.
Installation of beacons for wet and semi-dry screeds
In finishing works, various types of beacons are used for screeding, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. The easiest way to install point beacons, but to navigate by such marks you need to have considerable experience pouring screeds.
It is also not difficult to set the fill level using the DSP, but this option requires a lot of time and also serious experience. It is difficult to establish a profile for lighthouses, but working along such guides is much more comfortable and easier.
To understand how to make beacons for floor screed in different ways and choose the most suitable option, you need to familiarize yourself with the work order for each type of marking.
Linear beacons
For novice builders, it is best to do the installation of beacons for floor screed with your own hands, focusing on the device guides. Use two options for mounting the strips: on the screws and on the solution.
How to put beacons on self-tapping screws using guides? Initially, you need to prepare the necessary tool and material:
- aluminum rule, at least two meters long;
- laser level;
- hammer drill or hammer drill;
- yardstick;
- dowels;
- self-tapping screws;
- bowstring;
- P-profile;
- screwdriver.
The number of profile rows depends on the length of the rule.
Begin marking from the wall. The first screw is twisted, retreating 40 mm from the vertical surface. The height of the screw takes into account the thickness of the profile, i.e. the thickness of the guide is subtracted from the desired fill level mark and the screw is screwed to this height.
In the same way, install a self-tapping screw on the opposite side and connect them with a stretched bowstring. On the line of the bowstring with a run of 400-500 mm, they put the screws, bringing them to the desired level. So each marked row is set, after which the height is checked with a level and, if necessary, an adjustment is made.
It is not worth worrying about how to fix the P-profile on the heads of the screws. It fits onto the heads and holds well. After filling, the strips are removed, and the screws are twisted. Places for installing the bars adjust the DPC and display in a common horizon.
Mortar beacons
How to install beacons from the profile on the solution? You will need to purchase a special mixture for lighthouses, which hardens faster than the usual DTM. Usually use a rotband. Any material can be used as guides, but the metal profile is most convenient in operation.
Initially, marking is made of the level necessary for filling the screed, and marking the installation of each guide taking into account the length of the rule. Focusing on the marking along the line where the guide should be installed, small heaps of rotband are laid at a distance of 300-400 mm from each other. The height of each pile is aligned with the fill level minus the profile height, after which you can proceed with the installation of the guides.
To fix the profile on a pile, it is grabbed with mortar from the sides, but it must be remembered that the rotband should be removed after pouring the DPC, therefore, do not apply too much mixture to install the guide. After pouring screeds, profiles and excess rotband are removed, and irregularities are sealed with a solution and leveled.
The use of alabaster for the installation of guides is not recommended, since it is unreliably seized with a cement-sand mortar.
Point beacons
How to put point-type beacons, any novice builder will understand, but for the further laying of concrete, these beacons will have to invite an experienced craftsman.
In the form of beacons, the heads of the self-tapping screws, set to the height of the fill level, act. Self-tapping screws can be installed in the same way as in the version with linear beacons, only the profile is not used.
DPS beacons
Pouring screed on mortar beacons requires a lot of experience and skill, so this method of installing beacons is used mainly by professional finishers. Beacons are set in the same way as in the case of installing linear beacons on the solution, only without the use of guides.
To perform high-quality screed pouring on mortar beacons, it is necessary to start work only after the mortar has completely risen.
The device of beacons for bulk floors
Professional builders do not use beacons when working with bulk carriers. Self-leveling mass evenly fills the space and is set in the horizon, but this rule is valid only for small areas. If you need to fill large areas, it is recommended to use beacons for floating screed.
In such situations, use benchmarks or self-tapping screws.
Benchmark
This small device allows you to set a limit for the bulk screed. The design of the frame consists of support legs and an adjusting screw located in the middle, which is a measure.
To understand how to install beacons using benchmarks, you need to refer to the instructions:
- The distance between the beacons is determined within one meter. Install the devices in a run to the prepared base;
- Exposing a laser beating on a level or using a cord stretched over the marks, set the central screw to the required pouring height;
- After filling the floor, the frames are removed, and the small holes remaining from the legs of the device are tightened themselves.
Screws
It is even easier to build guides from self-tapping screws. Self-tapping screws are installed in pre-prepared dowels in the corners of the room with an indent from a vertical surface of 200-300 mm.
Having fixed the screws at the required height, they are connected with a fishing line. The result should be two parallel strings along the length of the room. Screws are screwed in length with a step of 300-400 mm, which are also connected with fishing line across the room, forming string beacons. The result is a fairly convenient markup for filling.
After completing the work, the screws are removed.