We’ve used self leveling cement to fix a few different concrete flooring issues in our home. It’s a great product and easy to use, but it’s definitely not something you should just rush into without doing some prep work first. The key to making sure your self leveling cement project goes smoothly is prepping the floor properly.
In this post, I’ll give you all the details on how to prep your floor and then apply self leveling cement to create a beautiful new concrete floor. But before we get started, let’s talk about what self leveling cement actually is.
What Is Self Leveling Cement?
Self leveling cement is actually a type of polymer modified cement that has very low viscosity (it’s thin like water) which enables it to spread easily and evenly across the floor. Once it dries (or cures), it will achieve a perfectly flat surface that can be sanded down or polished if desired.
The benefit of using self leveling cement over traditional concrete is that you can create a perfectly flat surface without having to worry about sloping or other imperfections in the existing floor. It also dries much more quickly than traditional concrete and can be walked on within 24 hours after application.
The flooring in your home is a vital part of the overall look and feel of your house. You want to make sure that it’s done right, and the best way to do so is with self leveling cement, sometimes referred to as self leveling concrete. Using this product can help you achieve a smooth finish without too much hard work.
What Is Self Leveling Cement?
The name can be a bit misleading. It doesn’t level itself. You have to use it correctly for it to level out on its own. It’s simply a type of concrete that you mix with water and pour over the top of your subfloor before laying tile or any other flooring material.
Before you get started, you’ll need to check the moisture level of your subfloor using a moisture meter (different than a moisture barrier). If your subfloor has too much moisture, you’ll need to wait until it dries out before applying self leveling cement. If there’s too little moisture, spray some water on the floor before applying the cement mixture.
Self leveling cement is a product that has been designed to pour into a room and automatically level itself out across the entire surface. It’s commonly used as a subfloor before installing tile, linoleum, or other flooring.
Self leveling cement requires mixing with water before pouring.
Self leveling cement requires mixing with water before pouring. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging carefully.
Pour the mix into the room in an “S” pattern to avoid air pockets. Pour slowly and move the bag as you pour to prevent air pockets.
Wait for it to dry! After you have finished pouring, wait for it to dry completely before walking on it or adding flooring.
After you have removed any loose debris from your floor, it is time to get started with your self leveling cement. The first thing that you need to do is mix up the self leveling cement in a clean bucket.
To mix the cement properly, you should use a drill with a mixing paddle attachment. Mixing with a drill will make the job much easier and quicker than doing it by hand.
The cement is going to need water in order to be mixed properly. You should start off by adding about two-thirds of the water that is recommended on the package. You can add more if needed, but you don’t want to get too runny or it won’t work. Your cement should be about like pancake batter in consistency when it is ready to go down on your floor.
It only takes about five minutes or so for the cement to get mixed up properly. Once it is mixed, you should transfer it into a five gallon bucket if possible because this will make it easier to pour onto the floor without making a huge mess all over the place.
When you use self leveling cement, you should have a plan in mind. Be aware that a self leveling cement is not like a paint or any other coatings you can apply on the flooring. It is like a paste that spreads to fill in any holes or dips in the floor. You can only apply self leveling cement on a clean and prepared floor surface.
Apply the self leveling cement evenly over the entire area of your floors. If you are trying to cover an uneven surface, it is important to lay down a layer of self leveling cement first and then apply another layer once the first one has dried out completely.
First off, if you are pouring a cement floor you will need to start with a level base. If you don’t have that, then you will want to lay some sort of concrete subfloor. This will give you a nice even ground to pour your cement on.
Next, you want to cut the bag of cement in half so it’s easier to handle. Also make sure your bucket is large enough to mix all the cement into.
Next, pour about 1/2 gallon of water into your bucket and add the dry cement mix into the water and mix thoroughly. The mixture should be very smooth and creamy. You don’t want too much water or too little as this can cause problems later on when laying the cement down.
Now that your mixture is ready and has been mixed thoroughly, it’s time to apply it onto your subfloor. You can use a trowel or a squeegee depending on what type of floor you are going to be pouring.
To apply the self leveling cement, simply pour it out onto your subfloor and spread it around evenly making sure to get into all of the corners and crevices. Let this sit for about an hour before walking on it again (this will allow for proper drying time).
Self-leveling compound requires a little bit more preparation than most DIY projects, but the results are worth it! Also, we won’t lie and say that this is a project for beginners. It’s a smelly, messy job that requires some safety precautions. If you have any doubts about whether or not you can safely complete this project, please consult a professional.
Before you start your project, make sure that your floor is clean and free of debris. Any small holes should be patched with spackling to create a smooth surface. If you already have tile on your floors, check to make sure the grout lines are even and the tiles are securely fastened.
Once you have done all of this prep work, it’s time to get started! Here’s how:
Measure your room carefully before purchasing your supplies. The amount of self-leveling compound needed will depend on the size of the room as well as how thickly you want your floor to be coated. It is best to overestimate rather than underestimate so there won’t be any problems later on down the line when mixing up batches of cement mixture in different batches over several days or weeks at a time without having enough material left over from previous days’ work sessions (as well as making sure
panyam is a contributor at PanyamCements. We are committed to providing well-researched, accurate, and valuable content to our readers.
