It is equally relevant for owners of apartments in old buildings and for residents of new buildings. The first ones are looking for an answer because the base coating in their living quarters is in a deplorable state due to already quite long periods of use (and, perhaps, it was never good, even in the years of its “youth”), but the second ones need to know this by the reason is that, despite the use of new technologies, the quality of finishing, even in newly commissioned buildings, is still far from ideal. While modern floor coverings sometimes require an almost flat surface. How to create acceptable conditions for them? What to do? How to level a concrete floor and what is the best way to do it? You will find the answer to all these questions in our review.
We evaluate the existing surface and select a new floor covering
It is worth noting that the alignment procedure can sometimes be quite expensive and quite lengthy. That is why, in order to reduce material and time costs, you need to be able to correctly assess the situation. That is, carefully examine the existing basis and decide which flooring will apply. As for the first one. The base surface may be different. Sometimes it is in quite good condition with the exception of some places covered with cracks. Or there are only small protrusions and depressions on it. In such cases, you can get by with little damage by leveling the floor locally, as they say, according to indications. If there are significant defects on the base coating, as well as huge differences in height, you will naturally have to level it from corner to corner. Now as for finishing materials. Some floor coverings are very demanding on the base. Take the same laminate. Even a slight difference of just five millimeters can nullify all finishing work. A laminate laid on such a base can simply become deformed and crack at the seams after a year. While linoleum is not afraid of such minor defects. So it is precisely from the choice of the finishing floor covering and the very state of the base base that you need to start when looking for an answer to the question of how and with what to level a concrete floor.
Variants of irregularities that require elimination
So, what kind of concrete floor needs to be leveled? It is necessary to put in order the basis that has:
- Roughness, chips, various cracks.
- All kinds of protrusions or holes that are noticeable upon visual inspection.
- Sloping or differences in height.
Depending on the existing defects, the leveling method and the material needed for the work are selected.
Types of alignment
If the floor does not have any significant differences in height, but has some defects such as cracks, then they are repaired using a self-made composition or epoxy concrete, having carried out some preliminary work to prepare the base. Local protrusions and holes are sealed in the same way. Height differences are eliminated by dry screed, leveling with beacons or using a self-leveling compound.
Getting rid of cracks
Such defects can appear both on an old foundation and on a recently poured one if the stages or requirements were violated technological process. Therefore, know how to get rid of cracks on concrete floor, every master needs it. So, you can’t just cover them up from above. Firstly, you need to carefully tap the entire surface of the crack, and in a very unique way - you need to drive the chisel as deep as possible into the defect using a hammer. Thanks to this procedure, you will, firstly, be able to detect chips hidden under the defect, and secondly, you will create required clearance for the mixture. After preparatory work will be carried out, you need to carefully remove all pieces of concrete, clean the cavities from dirt and dust, and fill them with water. After drying, the entire surface must be primed. The Grund composition is ideal for these purposes. Then you need to mix M400 cement with water. The solution should have the consistency of liquid sour cream. And then you should add to it liquid glass or PVA glue. The amount of additional ingredient must be equal to the volume of the prepared mixture. Then you need to fill the cracks with the resulting solution, wait until it dries and sand the surface. Very small cracks do not need to be widened, but simply sealed tile adhesive any brand, not forgetting to prime it first.
Filling up the holes
If the floor surface is fairly flat, then screeding is not necessary. All you have to do is get rid of the holes. To do this, their walls and bottom need to be treated with a grinder to remove chips and weak layers. After this, the pit must be cleaned of pieces of concrete, dirt and dust, filled with water, and primed after drying. You need to pour dry fine crushed stone into a fairly thin layer at the bottom, and then seal the defect with epoxy concrete. The domestic composition “Kleypol” is perfect for these purposes. Fill the hole with it so that the solution does not reach the top by two centimeters. After drying (after about an hour), we compare the surface using a special concrete putty. Experts recommend paying attention to the Elakor-ED brand.
As for the hillocks, it is enough to trim them off grinder, clean, prime, and then level the surface using the same Elakor.
Dry screed
How and with what can you level a concrete floor if you have little time and don’t really want to tinker with solutions? Make a dry screed. This procedure is quite simple, so almost anyone can cope with it. House master. The principle is the following. The base base is thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust. Then a waterproofing film is laid on it (you can use regular thick polyethylene). Then a dry leveling mixture is poured over the entire surface in a layer five centimeters thick. It can be made of expanded clay, granulate, quartz sand or even expanded polystyrene. And on top they are already laid on the logs and secured with self-tapping screws either plywood or fiberboard sheets, or moisture-resistant drywall. But it is best to use a special sheet material called “Superfloor” for these purposes. After dry screeding, you can almost immediately lay the finishing floor covering. Experts recommend that home craftsmen first consider this method, since you can level a concrete floor with your own hands using this method without any problems.
Beacon screed
Since it is sometimes almost impossible to level floors using less expensive methods, you will have to consider a method such as pouring a new floor using beacons. As for the financial side of the issue, it is not so scary, but the procedure will require significant time expenditure. In addition, in this case you need to have at least minimal skills in working with beacons and cement mortar. What should be done? First of all, clean and prime the base. Then mark up, preferably using laser level, and stretch guide threads for beacons between the walls in the direction from the window to the door. And after that, install perforated guides along them on the floor, using cement (possibly gypsum) mortar for fastening. The step between each beacon should not be more than one meter. After which you need to prepare a solution of M400 cement (the amount of water will be indicated on the packaging), pour it between installed profiles and align with the rule, moving backwards in the direction from the window to the door. This screed takes quite a long time to dry; in addition, it must be moistened with water for the first three days. However, this particular method is quite inexpensive and allows you to get a truly smooth and durable coating. Therefore, if you have enough time and do not know, for example, how to level a concrete floor under a laminate, adopt this method.
As for lighthouses, some craftsmen leave them inside. However, experts recommend that you still take out the profile and fill the voids with tile adhesive. The budget, but no less durable composition “Lux” is perfect for these purposes.
Self-leveling floor
If the height difference is no more than five centimeters, and free funds are available, a leveling mixture for a concrete floor is ideal for arranging the base surface. It is quite expensive, but it is easy to work with, and the alignment procedure does not take much time. As for technology, you need to start, as always, with preparation. The base needs to be cleaned and primed. Then you need to mark using a laser level, drawing lines on the walls along which the upper boundaries of the new floor will pass. After this, you need to mix the solution according to the instructions on the package. The best mixtures for leveling, according to experts, these are self-levelers Ceresit CN 69 and Ceresit CN 68, Vetonit 3000, EK FT03 FINISH. Many masters also praise the more budget-friendly domestic mixtures produced under the “Starateli” brand. So, we start leveling from the far corner, pouring the solution onto the floor and leveling the coating (according to the applied markings), first with a rule, and then with a special roller with needles.
How to level a concrete floor under laminate
Laminate is perhaps the most capricious floor covering, requiring almost perfect level base. What is the best way to level a concrete floor for it? By and large, in this case, any of the three methods described above will do. However, there is another option. You can try leveling the concrete floor with plywood. Unlike the same tiles, laminate does not require the use of mortar when laying, so the presence under this coating wooden sheets will not affect the quality of the base in any way. But the alignment method itself is quite simple and fast. The concrete base is cleaned of dirt, primed, after which sheets of moisture-resistant plywood are laid on it without any fastenings (a thickness of 10 mm will be sufficient), and according to the same principle as laminate (so that the seams of the elements do not coincide, but are staggered) . After this, another layer is laid, but so that its joints do not coincide with those of the lower layer. This plywood is already attached to the bottom sheets with self-tapping screws. After installation, you need to go over the seams with a sander in order to finally level the subfloor.
A few words about the loggia
On the loggia you can also use all the methods described above. However, many experts consider it very attractive to level the concrete floor in this room using the same plywood, but on joists. How do they base their choice? Because thanks to this method, you can additionally insulate the floor of the loggia by laying appropriate material between the joists. Let's say foam plastic, mineral wool. Or professional, but more expensive TechnoNIKOL insulation.
... about the garage
It is quite clear that no one is laying laminate or parquet in this room. The floor here is usually made of concrete. The main requirements for the base are that it be level. And, of course, durable. How to level It is best to do it and then cover it with a special layer of hardener - the so-called topping - which will protect the surface from damage. The best compositions mixtures of Caparol-Disbon, Neodur (Korodur), MasterTop (BASF) and domestic “Herkulit” and “Reflor” are considered.
...and about ceramics
If you plan to lay ceramic tiles on concrete and the base itself is not particularly crooked, you can level the floor during the process by adding more or less tile adhesive under level control. True, this method is applicable only if the differences are no more than three centimeters. In addition, if you decide to resort to this method, you need to buy only high-quality, with improved characteristics, for example, intended for Ceresite, which is ideal for these purposes.
Conclusion
We tried to talk in sufficient detail about how and what is the best way to level a concrete floor in a given case. In addition, we touched upon issues of leveling technology and named brands the best materials used when carrying out this type of work. We hope you can now easily select suitable option for your specific case. After all, you already know as well as any professional how and with what to level a concrete floor.
If implemented overhaul or complete replacement old flooring, you will need to level the concrete floor. This will give an opportunity high-quality installation new finishing material.
It must be said that you can carry out this procedure in an apartment with your own hands. There are several ways:
- By . This method is suitable for pouring concrete or cement-sand mixture. In this case, metal slats are used, the installation of which requires a building level. This method is optimal in an apartment with large rooms. This leveling has a certain advantage: the floor surface is durable and perfectly flat. However, for the screed to dry completely you will need at least 2 weeks, and this will significantly delay the repair time. This method of correcting unevenness is also suitable if you want to lay linoleum or laminate.
- With help . This leveling of the concrete base in the apartment is carried out using a special self-leveling mixture, which easily spreads over the entire area, forming a flat and smooth surface. The advantage of the method is the ability to make the base with your own hands, the small thickness of the layer. However, if the horizontal differences in the concrete floor are too large, then this method will not work.
- By extension. This method involves using wooden logs, which are set at a certain level. It is fixed on top of them, which creates a perfectly flat surface. This leveling of the concrete floor is best used in private houses, in an apartment on the ground floor. It allows for additional insulation of the room, as well as hidden installation of communications and engineering systems. However, you should not use it in rooms with low ceilings, since it takes up some of the usable space.
- Using tile adhesive. This is an individual method and can only be applied if you use tiles for finishing.
- Using dry screed. This leveling of the concrete floor is done using polystyrene foam, dry quartz sand or expanded clay. Next, sheets of plywood or chipboard are laid on this material.
Features of base preparation
Before leveling the concrete floor, it is necessary to prepare it for work. First, remove the old flooring and carefully evaluate the surface. Determine how uneven the floor is by using a long level. Naturally, during the work you need to mark two points: the lowest and the highest.
Preparation includes sealing cracks and crevices in the old foundation After correcting all the defects, try to clean the floor from dust and debris. Be sure to treat the surface with a primer. This will ensure maximum adhesion with the solution that will be used for leveling. You can do all this work with your own hands.
Leveling technology
By lighthouses
So, in big apartment this method is very popular. The whole process consists of the following stages:
- Cleaning and treating the base surface with a primer;
- Laying beacons (perforated metal profiles) over all areas of the room. In this case, the installation step is 30 cm. Please note that the last beacon should be located at the same distance from the wall. The elements are fixed using plaster or cement mortar. Heaps of the mixture are applied to the concrete floor and beacons are placed on them. After leveling them, it is necessary to allow the solution to dry;
- Applying the solution to an uneven base. The mixture is poured in parts. The filling process should begin from the far corner. The rule used to level the screed is;
- Laying flooring. Before this, the solution must dry well. This may take from several weeks to a month. It should dry naturally, however, if necessary, you can use a heater to speed up the process. After this, it needs to be further sanded and dust removed. Next, you can begin installing the flooring.
Beacon alignment technology Installation of self-leveling floor
Now you will learn how to level a concrete floor. In an apartment, this method is also very popular, as it makes it possible to use a floor covering such as laminate. At the same time, the mixture dries quickly enough, which reduces the repair time.
It is not difficult to perform all the manipulations with your own hands. You just need to follow the sequence of work:
- Cleaning and priming the surface.
- Dilution of the product in compliance with the proportions indicated on the package. Please note that the consistency of the mixture should be such that it can flow freely over the surface of the concrete floor.
- Eliminate air bubbles using a special roller. Its needles should be slightly larger in size than the thickness of the layer.
Self-leveling flooring technology Thus, an uneven floor turns into an ideal surface on which laminate or other flooring can be laid. This alignment is done very quickly. The base is of high quality.
Extension of a wooden floor
In the apartment, which is located on the ground floor, this best option, which, in addition to leveling, will allow you to hide communications and organize a warm floor. The work involves the following manipulations:
- Eliminating cracks or other damage in the base, priming the surface of the concrete floor;
- Laying vapor barrier material. Please note that here we must not forget about allowances for adjacent canvases and walls. The sheets of film are fixed together using special tape;
- Installation of logs. You can do it quickly with your own hands. They are fastened with anchors. At the same time, constantly monitor the level of the horizontal plane. If between wooden element and there is a gap in the concrete base, it can be eliminated by placing a plastic or wooden wedge (don’t forget to fix it with a self-tapping screw);
- Laying insulation. This is especially important in an apartment under which there is an unheated basement;
- Installation of plywood or wooden boards. These materials are fixed with self-tapping screws. This is the final stage of leveling.
Step-by-step technology leveling by extension wooden flooring Now you know how to level a concrete floor. As you can see, doing all the work with your own hands is not so difficult. Follow the alignment technology. But if you are sure that you cannot cope with the work yourself, you can always use the services of a master.
Leveling a concrete floor without the help of hired specialists is not such a difficult task if you approach it “armed” with certain knowledge. Let's figure out how you can complete this process yourself.
Why do you need to level floors?
Concrete flooring these days can be seen in commercial premises, industrial facilities, and living rooms Oh. It has mass useful characteristics, but they can only be used if the concrete bases are properly leveled. The most common defects in concrete floors are the following:
- small "waves" called plows that appear after the rule;
- smooth repeating changes in floor level - wave changes;
- increases (local) floor level - sagging.
With prolonged use of poorly constructed concrete foundations, cracks often form on them, as well as cavities and lenses—lowering (local) floor levels. Sometimes protruding pieces of crushed stone filler appear on its surface, which indicate destruction of the coating. All the mentioned defects lead to unevenness on the floor, which can cause injury to a person, impossibility reliable installation equipment used in everyday life and in the kitchen, furniture.
And from an aesthetic point of view, an uneven floor covering, you see, does not add beauty to the room. To avoid these inconveniences, you need to properly level the floor yourself. Such a procedure, carried out efficiently, will also allow achieving high level noise, hydro and thermal insulation of floor coverings. Leveling the concrete base is carried out by arranging a screed, which can be done wet or dry.
In the first case, it is mandatory to use special staff for leveling with the addition of water. With the dry method, dry mixtures are used. Choice optimal technology for each specific case is based on the condition of the initial floor covering and the height differences present on the floor of the room. Typically, cement-sand compositions, “dry” compositions and self-leveling mixtures are used for screeds. We'll talk about them further.
Cement-sand composition - classic leveling
Screed based on sand and cement is considered classic and very effective way giving the floors the desired “evenness”. It is recommended for rooms where the difference in the level of the concrete base is five or more centimeters. The technology of cement-sand screed is characterized by certain difficulties and high labor intensity of the process.
But you can do it yourself in any living space - in the bedroom, hallway, kitchen, and be confident in the strength and excellent reliability of the resulting coating. It is only important to remember that the thickness of the prepared mixture must be at least three centimeters. With a smaller thickness, the strength indicators of the completed screed will be unsatisfactory. We'll tell you how to level a concrete floor using a mixture of sand, cement and water.
First you need to remove all dirt and accumulated dust from it, wipe off stains from oil solutions that were used when performing construction or repair work. Then a waterproofing material is laid on the floor - it can be anything. At this stage, it is important to glue the waterproofing joints well and leave allowances near the walls. Next, beacons are installed using a level. For their installation, metal profiles are used, fixed to the floor using gypsum hardening solutions.
The distance between the guides of the “frame” being performed is up to one meter, no more. If the distance is greater, pouring the mixture and leveling it will be difficult. Sand-cement mixture prepared from M-300 cement, ordinary sand and water. Nowadays no one makes such a solution on their own. It is much more convenient to buy dry ready-made mixtures and add water to them in the proportions recommended by the manufacturer of the material.
The composition must be mixed very thoroughly. This is best done with a construction mixer. The finished solution should not spread, but on a flat surface it should spread slightly. Please note that the mixture is applied after stirring for 60–90 minutes (otherwise it will simply harden). Moreover, it needs to be prepared for the entire area of the room at once.
Pouring cement-sand screed - work carefully
The prepared solution begins to be poured from the far corner of the room between the beacons. It is necessary to immediately level the composition after applying each individual portion of it, using the rule. We move it towards ourselves, and not away from ourselves. Also, the rule is to “spread” the mixture on the sides (some level it exclusively along the guides, which is incorrect) in order to achieve a good compaction of the screed layer and fill the existing voids.
Professionals also advise piercing the applied composition with a metal rod of small diameter. This simple action will avoid the risk of air voids appearing in the screed. If the mixture of sand and cement is made of a large thickness, it is advisable to strengthen the screed with reinforcement from a convenient (available at hand) material. In addition, it is recommended to cut special seams in it (they are called shrinkage joints) every 250–300 cm. Long breaks when laying a cement-sand composition should be avoided.
If you hesitate, “cold seams” are guaranteed to appear on the surface. They will significantly reduce the strength properties of the finished layer. For this reason, leveling the floor with your own hands should not be done alone, but with an assistant. Having laid all the cement-sand mortar, leave it for 24 hours, and then use a spray gun or roller to painting work moisten thoroughly. After 48-60 hours you will need to check how well it has set.
After this, the screed is moistened again and a plastic film is placed on it. It protects the floor from drying out quickly, which can cause cracks. Over the next 7–8 days, you need to moisten the screed with water once a day. And then the film is removed and the floor is left to dry naturally for another 1–2 weeks. You can safely lay the floor covering that you have chosen on the completed screed in the kitchen or in another room. But first make sure that the screed is done well.
If everything was done correctly, the floor surface has a uniform grey colour, and when you tap it with a block of wood, it makes the same sound in all parts of the room. We hope we have explained clearly enough how to level a concrete floor using a wet mixture of sand and cement. This technique can be used in all areas of the home, including the kitchen and even outside (on open verandas, terraces). Let's add that finished surface additional sanding is allowed. There is no point in performing such a procedure if the coating was done outdoors. But for living rooms it will not be superfluous.
Grinding is carried out with a special unit (machine), which quickly and efficiently smoothes out all minor irregularities.
Dry screed - how to level floors without water?
A cleaner leveling of the floor with your own hands is carried out using mixtures consisting of granulate, quartz sand, expanded clay or expanded polystyrene, and fiberboard, chipboard, moisture-resistant gypsum fiber sheet materials or regular plywood. This screed additionally soundproofs and insulates the room, so it is used in the kitchen or living room in apartments of multi-storey buildings. It is not difficult to do such an alignment on your own, even for a person who is very far from the intricacies of construction.
Advantages of dry screed:
- quick completion of work and the ability to lay the selected floor covering immediately after finishing the leveling operations;
- no need to use water to mix the solution;
- installation allowed engineering communications inside the screed;
- work can be done without assistants, performing it gradually in small areas of separate areas of the room.
In addition, dry screed makes it possible not to worry about the need for additional installation of sound and thermal insulation systems for the floor.
The diagram of how to level a concrete floor using this technology is as follows:
- the base is thoroughly cleaned;
- a waterproofing material is laid - a 50-micron polyethylene film (it is advisable to prime the surface before this);
- scatter the dry mixture over the film and distribute it evenly;
- lay plywood, sheets of gypsum fiber or chipboard, fastening them together with glue and self-tapping screws;
- prime the resulting screed and remove the excess film (cut off its protruding parts).
The work is completed quite quickly. The only problem you may have is that the sheets are prohibited from moving over a layer of dry leveling material. This means that you need to place them in the planned place the first time.
Self-leveling floors - an affordable and convenient leveling method
If in your kitchen or in another room the difference in floor levels is relatively small - up to three centimeters, it is recommended to level them with special mixtures, which themselves spread over the surface. Such compositions are very popular these days. They are made on the basis of cement, to which modifier additives are added that increase the fluidity of the solution.
Such self-leveling coatings cannot be used “bare” - without a floor on them ceramic tiles, PVC materials, linoleum, cork or carpet. If you decide to use, for example, in the kitchen, be sure to make them finishing the specified materials. Otherwise, they will actively absorb oils and various liquids.
How to level the floor with your own hands using a self-leveling compound? It's not difficult at all. Follow this pattern:
- prepare the base - remove dirt from it, vacuum, seal even the smallest holes and cracks;
- clean the surface with a primer (special primer composition);
- prepare a small portion of the mixture according to the manufacturer’s instructions (it becomes unusable after 15–20 minutes);
- Apply the self-leveling solution to the floor in 30–50 cm wide strips and spread it with a spatula.
Now just wait until the mixture hardens completely (6 to 24 hours).
Before finishing the floor, it is necessary to level it, for which a screed is installed. At the same time, the quality of the screed depends on performance characteristics floor covering laid on top of it. If mistakes are made during the work, they will certainly complicate the installation of linoleum, laminate or carpet, and will shorten the service life of floor coverings. However, there is nothing overly complicated about screeding, so if you want and have free time, home craftsmen who do not have any experience in finishing can level the floor with their own hands.
- cement-sand;
- plaster;
- self-leveling mixtures (self-leveling floor).
2. Dry (prefabricated) screed made from building slabs.
Installation of cement-sand screed
1. This method is chosen if the difference in floor level in the room exceeds 5 cm. To determine this value, find the zero level of the room using a water building level. By using of this instrument At a height of about one and a half meters from the floor, points on the wall are measured and connected into a single line. Then measure the distance from this line to the floor in several places. The smallest distance will serve as the maximum possible floor height. Several points are marked along the bottom of the wall, which are also connected into one line, which will play the role of a virtual edge of the screed being performed. At the same time, remember that minimum thickness cement-sand screed is equal to three centimeters, and the maximum is 7 cm.
2. Next, they begin to prepare the surface of the concrete subfloor. The surface is thoroughly swept and dust is removed using a vacuum cleaner. Next, the base is primed and filled with waterproofing solution. After this, the priming procedure is repeated again. This will ensure better adhesion of the screed to the subfloor.
3. At the next stage, beacons are placed, which will make the floor perfectly flat. Beacons (T-shaped metal guides) are attached to concrete base using adjustable screws or simply placed on a thick cement-sand mortar laid out in slides. Instead of a solution, you can use Rotband - high quality gypsum plaster, produced German company KNAUF. Beacons must be leveled using a building level and a stretched cord in height. The first guide is placed from the corner at a distance of 20 cm. The next guides are placed parallel to the first, while maintaining a distance between them that is 40 cm less than the length of the rule.
4. The material can be a mixture of sand and cement M-300 or ready-made dry mixtures intended for floor screed. When adding water, you should adhere to the proportion indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging of the mixture. When mixing screeds, use construction mixer, in the absence of which they make do with a special attachment attached to the drill. The solution is stirred until the consistency of a thick dough, and there should be no lumps in it. The prepared mixture should spread slightly on a flat surface, but not spread. The solution is prepared for the entire area of the room at once and used for a maximum of one and a half hours.
5. A portion of the mixed solution is poured between two beacons, after which, using the rule, it is leveled across the beacons, moving it towards you. Start from the far corner of the room, gradually moving towards the doors. Do-it-yourself floor screeding is best done with an assistant. One person will level the mixture, and the second will stir the next portion of the solution. During the process of pouring screed, professional builders recommend “piercing” the freshly laid screed more often. sand-cement mortar using a thin metal rod. This will avoid the formation of air voids in the thickness concrete screed.
6. It takes several days for the screed to dry, after which it can be walked on. However, complete drying occurs only after 2-3 weeks. To prevent the screed from becoming cracked, it should be covered, if possible, with plastic film during this time. Instead of laying film, you can evenly wet the screed twice a day.
7. You can check the quality of the floor screed using several criteria:
- the color should be gray and uniform throughout the entire area of the room;
- smooth screed when checked by the rule, it forms a gap not exceeding two millimeters;
- The horizontal deviation should not exceed 0.2%; to visually represent this value, an example can be given: in a four-meter room, the deviation can be no more than 8 mm.
- the same sound produced when the screed is tapped with a wooden block.
8. The selected floor covering can be laid on the finished screed.
How to level a concrete floor: video
Leveling mixtures - self-leveling floors
In the case of a small difference in floor levels of no more than 3 cm, floor leveling mixtures are used, which are divided into two types. Some are able to spread over the surface of the base on their own, which is why they are called self-leveling mixtures. Another type of mixture requires human intervention, who manually spreads it on the floor using a spatula.
Self-leveling mixtures intended for finishing floors are otherwise called self-leveling floors, floor levelers, self-leveling mixtures, etc. The main purpose of these mixtures is the preparation of floors made of various building materials(concrete, wood, gypsum) for finishing with floor coverings, such as:
- linoleum;
- carpet;
- PVC materials;
- cork;
- ceramic tile.
Produces dry self-leveling mixtures using cement based, containing special modifying additives that increase the plasticity and fluidity of the mixed solution. Some compositions contain fibrous reinforcing additives that inhibit the development of microcracks. After drying, self-leveling floors form a fairly dense and durable layer. However, they are not intended for use without a floor covering, since an unprotected surface can become dusty and absorb moisture, oil, etc.
Thin-layer self-leveling mixtures are available for sale, which are intended for finishing. You can also buy special mixtures suitable for rough leveling of bases that have significant unevenness. These mixtures are applied in a layer, the thickness of which can reach 30-40 mm. At the same time, polypropylene foam tape is laid around the perimeter of the room, which relieves the stress created by the self-leveling floor. Since these mixtures have reduced fluidity, it is not possible to obtain a perfectly flat surface. Therefore, a thin layer finish is usually applied on top.
Pouring a self-leveling floor
1. Work begins with preparing the base, which must be dry and durable. In the room where the floor will be poured, it is necessary to exclude the occurrence of drafts and air drafts. There are also requirements for the floor temperature, which should not be lower than 5-10 degrees Celsius. The base is cleaned of various types of contaminants that can reduce adhesion. Weak and flaking areas of the old coating are removed. All cracks and holes through which the mixture could leak are sealed. Dust is removed with a vacuum cleaner; sweeping the surface alone is not enough.
2. Next, the cleaned base is treated with a primer, otherwise called a primer, which is applied in a thin layer with a brush, roller or spray. The use of a primer is mandatory, as it increases the adhesion of the leveling compound to the subfloor. The primer also prevents the formation of bubbles by limiting the adsorption of water from the mixed mixture during its hardening. It is advisable to choose those primer compositions that are recommended by the manufacturer of the leveling mixture.
3. At the next stage, begin preparing the mixture. This operation is carried out in strict accordance with the instructions, without allowing any amateur activity. For intensive stirring, use an electric drill with an attachment, which allows you to achieve a homogeneous mass, free of lumps and clots. The mixture is prepared in portions, as its qualities are preserved for 10-20 minutes. Exact time indicated on the original packaging.
4. Immediately after preparation, the leveling mixture is applied to the floor in the form of strips, the width of which reaches 30-50 cm. Using a wide steel spatula mounted on a rod, distribute the solution over the surface of the base. You should not hesitate when pouring, because you should not allow the edge of the previously applied strip to dry out. It is advisable to pour the floor into the room in one step. If its area is large, then the filling is carried out in strips, and professionals who have experience working with self-leveling floors can achieve a perfectly flat floor surface. Many companies involved in installing self-leveling floors have a special pump equipment, allowing the application of self-leveling mixtures with greater productivity.
Leveling the self-leveling floor: needle roller
Important! You cannot change the thickness of the self-leveling floor layer recommended by the manufacturer of the leveling mixture. Since this may lead to a decrease performance qualities completed screed.
5. The drying time and complete hardening of the self-leveling field depends on:
- on the thickness of the applied layer;
- on room temperature;
- on the humidity level.
Usually they begin to walk on the surface of the self-leveling floor after 6-12 hours, and full load is possible only after three days. Before gluing the finishing floor covering, control the moisture content of the leveling layer. The obtained result is compared with the humidity level selected for finishing material permitted by the manufacturer.
GVL - dry “clean” leveling
Dry floor screed involves the use gypsum fiber sheets(GVL) for leveling the floor, which are laid on a layer of expanded clay with thermal insulation properties. Instead of expanded clay, you can use other bulk building materials that have similar qualities.
When choosing this technology, leveling the floor occurs faster and cleaner, but in quality it is inferior to a monolithic concrete screed.
Dry screed installation: progress of work
1. A waterproofing material is laid on the cleaned surface of the base, which can be an ordinary polyethylene film, the thickness of which is 50 microns. Lay strips of film with an overlap of 10-20 cm, and at the same time make a ten-centimeter overlap on the walls. Also, an edge strip made of porous material is laid around the perimeter of the room. Position the tape so that it is between the film and the layer of expanded clay poured a little later.
2. Beacons are not provided for in this technology, however, some people who do dry screed with their own hands use them. This makes it easier for them to pour the expanded clay evenly and makes it easier for them to move along its layer. For lighthouses, U-shaped ones are chosen metal profiles, which are laid base down, leveled and secured. The void in the profile is filled with expanded clay.
3. Expanded clay is scattered and leveled in accordance with the beacons.
4. Then they begin laying gypsum fiber sheets, which have edges along which they are aligned and fastened with special cone-shaped screws. Additionally, PVA glue is also applied to the edges. This ensures reliable adhesion of the sheets to each other, turning into a single, flat floor. So, for sheets laid away from the wall, this edge is cut off to provide a double layer of material. When laying sheets, you cannot move them along the expanded clay layer, so you must try, despite their decent weight, to place them immediately in the right place.
5. At the final stage, the joints of the gypsum plasterboard sheets and the places where the screws are attached are primed. Then the entire surface of the dry screed is treated with a primer. Excess plastic film and edge tape are carefully trimmed to the level of the screed.
Important! Unlike concrete screed, work can be carried out in several stages, which is very convenient when doing the work yourself.
How to dry screed: video
Now you have learned several ways to properly level the floor in a room, so you can choose the most suitable option. The main thing is to take your time and follow the technology for performing each operation, then the result will be brilliant. If you think that you cannot cope with the volume of work on your own, then invite professionals.
This step by step guide about how to pour and level concrete. Therefore, you need several tools that you can buy or make yourself. Generally speaking, there are many finishing options you can use your concrete slab or foundation, but the simplest is to use large formwork made from 2x4 boards. However, make sure you finish pouring your concrete slab or foundation as soon as possible, otherwise the concrete may dry out before you have time to smooth its surface. Finishing a large gap of concrete is a more complex project that requires several friends to help you and several techniques to get the job done right.
For finishing concrete slabs , you need the following:
- concrete
- formwork boards
- 2×2 boards for attaching forms
Tools
- protective gloves
- protective glasses
- roulette
- mop brush for leveling concrete slabs
Adviсe
- Before work, wear special clothes and shoes so as not to get dirty in concrete
- clean your tools thoroughly after finishing the job
Time
- from several hours to a day, depending on surface area
How to pour concrete
In order to fill the slab at the required level, it is necessary to create a basic formwork. Formwork is usually made from planks, but you need to make sure that the structure you make is strong and can support the weight of the concrete.
When constructing the formwork, you must ensure that it is made at the same level. It is important to make it at the same level on all sides, as in most cases you should use ties (long straight pieces of wood or metal) to keep concrete surfaces flat.
If your yard is large, a concrete machine can pour the concrete directly into the formwork. However, there are cases in which the truck cannot reach a certain location, so you must use a 4” hose. If this is the case, make sure you pour the concrete as evenly as possible over the entire surface, otherwise you will have difficulty leveling it out.
Remember that actually pouring concrete into the formwork from a hose is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. On the contrary, the person who performs this operation must have experience in such work, otherwise he may even be injured during the process.
When pouring a concrete slab, the hose will be very heavy, so you will need help from friends.
Don't forget to wear rubber boots and protective gloves otherwise the concrete may irritate your skin.
Smart Tip: Make sure you pour the concrete as evenly as possible to make finishing the concrete slabs easier. Typically, if the concrete has the right recipe mixture, you will notice that the concrete tends to level on its own. However, you will still have to level the surface.
How to level concrete
You can make a simple concrete leveling tool using a long stick and wooden board. Tip: the board should be 1.2 - 1.5 m wide, but it should not be very heavy. In hot weather, you must hurry, otherwise the concrete may dry out and you will not be able to finish the job.
Smart Tip: To level the concrete, you can use a flat-bottomed shovel or homemade instrument. Simply place it on the concrete, holding it at an angle of 15º from the surface, and begin to gently pull it towards you.
Continue pulling out the concrete until you get a smooth, beautiful surface. As you'll notice in the photo, you should still be wearing rubber boots to be able to reach the furthest parts of the surface.
Smart Tip: For final finishing you can use a putty knife or large brush over the entire surface, just don't press too hard or you risk damaging the concrete.
Thanks for reading our article.