Self-Leveler Plus is a high-strength, regular-setting, cement-based, self-leveling underlayment and repair mix for use over interior concrete, plywood and other approved floor surfaces.
Self-leveling underlayments require the use of a primer prior to installation (like the TEC Multipurpose Primer). Failure to use product recommended primer may result in installation failure.
Pro Tip: Self-leveling concrete is not recommended for leveling out parts of slabs that have settled or dropped. It is best for achieving an even, smooth finish on the surface of slabs that may have been originally poured with dips or uneven finishing.
Self leveler has no strength. It's really best applied over a solid, inflexible floor like concrete. On plastic it'll break up immediately. On rough wood it'll hopefully bond well and only crack.
Self-leveling concrete applied over plywood is effective for various surfaces. It is suitable for use under flexible coverings or wooden flooring, enhancing cement and concrete surfaces. Additionally, it can be applied to gypsum substrates and is ideal for renovating old floors like terrazzo and ceramic tiles.
It lays down ultra flat. Param 5500 can be applied over other surfaces besides wood, but if you use it on wood, it can be a final surface. It can also be modified with the application of a product such as Skraffino to give it a look of hand applied aged concrete appearance.
Skipping primer for self leveling can lead to poor adhesion between the self-leveling compound and the substrate.
Self-leveling concrete is poured in liquid form and spread in place using a gauging tool. A single pass of self-leveling concrete is usually 0.25 to 1.5 inches thick. The finished product is smooth and flat, with superior compressive strength to traditional concrete floors.
Self-levelling concrete is a polymer-modified cement that has high flow characteristics, it's used in the preparation of laying most floor coverings to create a smooth and level surface. Levelling compound can be used on a variety of substrates including concrete, screed, existing tiles, and timber floors.
One of the main concerns that come with self-leveling concrete is its tendency to crack or crumble. This can be caused by a few different factors, but the main ones are poor bonding between the concrete itself and the newly-poured compound, and movement of the concrete slab.
Rushing the process can lead to problems such as cracking or shrinking. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for drying and curing times and avoid walking on or installing anything on the surface until it's fully cured. Ignoring Moisture Levels: Self-leveling compound can be sensitive to moisture levels.
Depending on the product, it may be smooth and flat within 1-2 hours. In about 6 hours, it may be completely hardened and ready for use, depending on the flooring material being installed on top. Self-leveling concrete can be used as an underlayment for tile, carpet, or other floor coverings.
Seal all holes and seams in the plywood with caulk. The leveler will drain through an opening as small as a nail hole, so be thorough. A good choice for filling those holes and cracks is the type of caulk that goes on white but turns clear when it dries because you can tell when it is done setting up.
By choosing to use a floor primer, you will enhance the bond between the self-levelling compound and the subfloor, and create a barrier to stop air escaping, which means the self-levelling compound can cure correctly.
Mortars cannot be used to level or patch a floor – ever! The materials used in mortars render the product unstable once the thickness exceeds the manufacturers' recommended maximum thickness. Most thin-set mortars have a maximum thickness of 1/4" (6 mm) and medium-bed mortars have a maximum of 1/2" (12 mm).
Applicators can also use it to smooth out uneven or flat areas on concrete surfaces that are not strong enough to warrant a complete concrete replacement. At the same time, leveling concrete works excellent as an independent, ready-made floor material. It's tough enough to withstand daily wear and tear.
You may need to apply primer neat or diluted with water, depending on how porous your substrate is. If you are using self levelling compound on your floor, we recommend applying a layer of primer both initially to the subfloor and then to the cured self-leveller.
Using a spiked roller is highly recommended. This will remove trapped air bubbles to improve the overall finish and create a smoother, sounder surface on which to lay the flooring.
Do not walk on the resurfaced floor until it has fully gained sufficient strength. This is approximately 1 to 2 days for the Normal Set product or 2 to 4 hours for the Fast Set product, depending on surrounding conditions. No special curing steps are required.
How Thick you can pour Self-Levelling Concrete depends on the specific product used. But standard Thicknesses are between 3 mm and 10 mm. However, it is possible to get options that pour as thin as 1mm and as Thick as 120 mm.
Sometimes, self-leveling concrete is also used to cover cracks in the concrete slab. Doing so is a mistake because if the cracks are not repaired, they will get larger and result in the new layer of concrete cracking.
Whether to use self-levelling compounds to level a floor depends on the degree of unevenness. If the floor is more than 5mm uneven, self-levelling compounds should not be used. In such cases, alternatives like liquid screed or traditional screed should be considered.
Typically, self-leveling compound dries in four to 24 hours. After the compound has dried completely, it is safe to walk on.
If the carpet glue is dry and bonded very well to the substrate then self-leveling concrete or a micro-topping can be installed right over the carpet glue.