Cement Australia Sand & Cement (Screed)

For setting shower bases and toilet pans, bedding pavers, or patching concrete walls, brickwork, and rendered surfaces, Sand & Cement (Screed) provides a pre-blended, general-purpose mortar. This "Just Add Water" mix combines graded sands and cement in predetermined ratios, eliminating the need to source and proportion raw materials on site.

What it does

Sand & Cement (Screed) functions as a stable bedding and repair mortar. It delivers a reliable consistency for plumbing installations, landscaping edge work, and vertical patching on brickwork or rendered surfaces. By adding clean drinking water, the dry mix forms a workable paste that can be finished with a sponge, steel trowel, or wooden float once it sets touch-dry.

Where to use it

• Plumbing: Setting and securing shower bases and toilet pans.
• Paving and landscaping: Bedding and joint filling of pavers, and bedding garden edges or rockeries.
• Repairs: Patching concrete walls, brickwork, and rendered surfaces.
• General bricklaying: Suitable for basic masonry, though specific structural modifications may be required depending on the application.

Numbers that matter

• 1.1m² coverage: The approximate coverage achieved by one 20kg bag when applied at a thickness of 10mm.
• 24-hour curing floor: Do not walk on or load paths, slabs, or edges for at least 24 hours after placement to allow the mortar to develop sufficient early strength.
• 6-month shelf life: Recommended storage limit from the date of manufacture when stored unopened in a dry place off the ground. Once opened, the bag must be used that day.

Limitations

• Excess water: Adding too much water during mixing weakens the overall final strength of the mortar.
• Bricklaying modification: For general bricklaying, adding lime is recommended. For dedicated masonry work, using Cement Australia Mortar Mix is more appropriate.
• Rendering limits: For superior rendering results, use a product from the Cement Australia Render It range.
• Pot life management: Never mix more material than can be used within a reasonable time limit.

Application guide

Prepare the receiving concrete, brickwork, or rendered surface by ensuring it is clean and free of oils, grease, dust, and loose debris. Empty the dry mix into a wheelbarrow, concrete mixer, or non-porous vessel. Add clean drinking water gradually while blending thoroughly to achieve a workable consistency. After placing, allow the mortar to set to touch-dry before completing the final finish with a clean damp sponge, steel trowel, or wooden float. Clean all tools with water immediately after use.

If colouring is required, add Cement Australia Oxide colours directly to the mix. Ensure all ingredients, particularly the oxide and water, are measured identically across subsequent batches to prevent shade variations.