Screed tripods are one of those tools that make an enormous difference to the quality of a floor finish, yet they're still not as widely used as they should be. If you're pouring liquid screed, self-levelling compound, or flowing concrete and you're not using tripods, you're relying on guesswork — and guesswork shows in the finished floor.
This guide explains what screed tripods are, how to use them correctly, how many you need, and how to get the most out of them.
What are screed tripods?
A screed tripod (also called a screed pod or floor level tripod) is a simple adjustable tool used to set a precise datum level before pouring liquid screed. Each tripod has three legs and a central threaded shaft with a flat disc. By adjusting the height of the disc, you set a reference point for the finished floor level. You then pour the screed up to the level of the disc across the whole area.
The result is a consistently level floor with no high or low spots — which would otherwise be invisible until you try to lay tiles or laminate on top of them.
When do you use screed tripods?
Screed tripods are used whenever you're pouring:
- Liquid screed (also called flowing screed or anhydrite screed) — a pumpable, self-compacting floor topping used in domestic and commercial construction
- Self-levelling compound — a thin, pourable floor topping used to level an existing subfloor
- Flowing concrete — a more liquid mix used in some industrial flooring applications
They can technically be used with semi-dry screed too, though they're less commonly used for this application.
How to use screed tripods step by step
- Establish your datum level. This is the desired height of the finished screed surface before any floor covering (tiles, laminate, underfloor heating, etc.) is applied. Work backwards from your finished floor level — if your finished floor needs to be at door sill height, subtract the floor covering thickness and the screed thickness to find your datum.
- Set your first tripod. Place a tripod at your datum reference point — ideally next to a door sill or another fixed datum. Use a laser level to set the disc height to exactly your datum level. Lock it in place.
- Place additional tripods. Space tripods at approximately 1500mm intervals across the entire area to be screeded. The exact spacing can be reduced in critical areas or for very thin screed depths.
- Level all remaining tripods. Using your laser level, adjust each remaining tripod disc until all are set to exactly the same height as your reference tripod. Take your time here — this is the most critical step.
- Pour the screed. Pour or pump the liquid screed into the area and spread it until it reaches the level of the tripod discs. Work methodically across the area, checking between tripods for any high or low spots.
- Remove the tripods. As soon as the screed is poured and levelled, remove all the tripods while the screed is still wet. The holes left by the legs will self-heal as the screed settles.
- Clean the tripods immediately. This is critical — liquid screed sets quickly. Clean each tripod thoroughly as soon as you remove it, paying special attention to the threaded shaft. Lubricate the thread regularly to keep it turning smoothly.
How many tripods do I need?
At a recommended spacing of 1500mm, use this as a rough guide:
| Floor area | Approximate tripods needed | Recommended pack |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10m² | 4–6 | Individual + 5-pack |
| 10–20m² | 6–10 | 5-pack or 10-pack |
| 20–40m² | 10–16 | 10-pack |
| Over 40m² | Multiple packs | Contact us for bulk pricing |
Why choose Northern Fasteners screed tripods?
Our screed tripods are manufactured to screw all the way down to floor level — a key advantage over many competitor products that have a minimum height. This means they work for very thin screed depths where every millimetre counts. They're also fully reusable — clean and lubricate after each use and they'll last for many pours.
