What is a screed?

Q: What is anti-skid surfacing?

Anti-skid (or high friction) surfacing involves applying a resin binder seeded with calcined bauxite aggregate. It provides exceptional grip and is commonly used on car park ramps, breaking zones, and pedestrian walkways. It significantly reduces stopping distances and prevents skidding in wet conditions. MPS applies these systems to improve safety in high-risk infrastructure areas.

Q: How do you repair a pothole in a concrete deck?

Repairing a pothole in a concrete deck requires more than just filling it. We square cut the edges (to avoid feather edging), break out the loose material, and prime the substrate. We then fill it with a high-strength, rapid-setting repair mortar (often epoxy or polyester based) that bonds chemically to the concrete. This ensures the patch doesn't pop out under the impact of vehicle wheels.

Q: What is 'ramp heating'?

Ramp heating involves embedded electrical cables or fluid pipes within the car park ramp structure that heat up to prevent ice and snow accumulation. When resurfacing or repairing ramps, care must be taken not to damage these elements. We often install protective resin toppings that are compatible with heated ramps, conducting heat efficiently while protecting the concrete from salt and water ingress.

Q: What is a wear course in a car park?

A wear course is the top layer of a car park deck surfacing system — the surface that tyres drive on. It sits above the waterproofing membrane and is designed to resist abrasion, UV degradation, and chemical attack from fuel and de-icing salts. Typical wear course materials include polyurethane, PMMA, or MMA resin systems applied at 1.5–3 mm thickness. The wear course also provides slip resistance (anti-skid) and can incorporate colour-coded line markings. Over time, wear courses degrade and need replacing — usually every 8–15 years depending on traffic volume and exposure.

Question

What is a screed?

Expert Answer

A screed is a layer of material (usually sand and cement) applied over a structural concrete base to create a smooth, level surface for the final floor finish. While not structural itself, the bond between the screed and the base is critical. We repair 'blown' (debonded) screeds using low-viscosity resin injection, which glues the screed back to the base without the need to dig it up and relay it.

Reviewed by Jerry Blears, Director (LinkedIn), MPS Concrete Solutions. Last reviewed September 2026.

Topics: Flooring & Car Parks Safety Construction

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What is a screed?

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What is anti-skid surfacing?

How do you repair a pothole in a concrete deck?

What is 'ramp heating'?

What is a wear course in a car park?

What is PMMA floor coating?

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What is a screed?

What is a screed?

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Related Questions

What is anti-skid surfacing?

How do you repair a pothole in a concrete deck?

What is 'ramp heating'?

What is a wear course in a car park?

What is PMMA floor coating?

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