The Height Of The Self-leveling Floor Layer, Depending On The Conditions And Premises

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• What determines the thickness
• Types of coatings
• Thickness depending on composition
• Fill rules
• Subtle technologies
• Optimal layer
• High loads
• Thickness at low temperatures
• Saving technique

Self-leveling floor is gaining popularity not only in industry, but also in the repair of residential premises. This suggests that the technology for arranging such a floor is available to everyone for mastering. It follows from this that not only the builder, but also the beginner should know that the durability of the structure will be affected by its minimum and maximum thickness indicators. In no case can it be arbitrary, but certain factors influence it.

What determines the thickness

There are parameters on which the thickness of the future layer of the self-leveling floor will fully depend:

1. Leveling the subfloor, its level, height.
2. Mechanical stress during operation. The stress factor is very important here: vibration, surface wear resistance, external mechanical impact, shock.
3. Possibility of mounting the maximum thin layer. In this case, it must correspond to the binding material.

If the layer of the self-leveling floor is less than the required value, does not reach the optimal parameter, then it will not be able to serve for a long time. The performance characteristics will put pressure on it and defects and errors will immediately begin to creep out. At the same time, a very large fill layer will not give an over-positive result, but only extra money from the budget will be spent.

Types of coatings

There are a huge number of mixtures used for self-leveling floors. At the same time, they have completely different thickness indicators, which are necessary for laying a high-quality coating. Among them are:

• Thin layer. In this case, the layer thickness does not exceed 5 mm. The main function of such a floor is to protect the base from environmental factors. Its amount will depend on the type of mixture, the manufacturer, the quality obtained. If you add a little more, make the consistency higher, then the strength will slightly increase.

  

• Self-leveling. This layer can reach a height of 20 mm. It has excellent antistatic properties and can handle numerous mechanical stresses with ease.
• Highly filled. It cannot be laid in a layer less than 20 mm. In the composition of such mixtures, quartz sand, magnesite, expanded clay and others are most often found. This somewhat reduces the cost of the ready-made mixture for diluting the solution.

Thickness depending on composition

Depending on the material used for installation, the surface thickness also differs. So before you purchase such a mixture, you should study its characteristics, purpose and properties.

1. The polymer coating has an optimal thickness of 40 mm. But never a single manufacturer recommends making a self-leveling floor from such a mixture less than 25 mm. Reduction can only occur if the surface is subsequently painted. But the reduction should not be more than 0.3 mm.

2. Methyl methacrylate. It is based on a concrete or steel surface. The average thickness of 6 mm is able to withstand a load of up to 15 tons in weight.

   

3. The cement-polymer composition is used when installing a self-leveling floor on wood or ceramics. Its adhesion to the surface is excellent, and the thickness can reach up to 50 mm without loss of qualities and functions.
4. Low temperature rooms. Such mixtures are based on methyl methacrylic resins, which also include anti-frost components. The maximum thickness should in any case not exceed 7 mm.
5. Acrylic-cement. This is a classic option for pouring a self-leveling floor. Average thicknesses are in the range of 10-20 mm. After installation, the surface can withstand mechanical stress, and also easily resists various chemicals.

If the load in the room is significant, then the layer should not be less than 10 mm. This should be the starting point when choosing a specific version of the mixture for work.

In addition, there are mixtures for wet rooms. In addition to the constant presence of water, the floor surface can be constantly washed with water. The acrylic-cement mixture does not form any seams, while it remains hygienic, requiring no leveling of the surface before pouring.

Fill rules

During the pouring of the self-leveling floor, you should adhere to certain rules, without which neither a professional in this direction, nor a beginner can do without. This will help to avoid problems during installation, during the operation of the surface. Each mistake takes not only time and effort, but also large financial resources.

Before pouring a polyurethane self-leveling floor, you should wait at least 12 hours after carrying out preparatory measures.

The primer must dry thoroughly. In contrast, epoxy resins require a longer drying time for the substrate - at least 18 hours.

Almost few people prepare a ready-made solution at once in one container. In this case, the proportions of adding water should be taken into account so that a different mixture is not obtained in the same room. Their properties and strength characteristics will differ, and the adhesion will not be uniform. After the filling of the self-leveling floor in parts has been carried out, the entire solution must be distributed over the surface in the room. To do this, use a metal bar. If it is difficult to give up in certain places, you can use a roller.

While mixing the solution, bubbles form in it. They also remain when pouring indoors. To get rid of them, use an aeration roller. Depending on the thickness of the pouring of the self-leveling floor, the length of the spikes on the roller is also different.

Initially, the base layer is poured, and only after a certain time - the topcoat. The principle and technology of the device are no different. The main difference is the thickness of the self-leveling floor, which in the latter case is only a few millimeters. So that after installing the floor, the surface remains shiny and can serve for a long time, it is covered with a special varnish.

The technology of pouring a self-leveling floor with your own hands is very simple and will be understandable to a novice builder. It is important to comply with all requirements and pay attention to the nuances. This is useful not only when performing work independently, but when exercising control over a team of specialists.

Subtle technologies

Before you make a self-leveling floor, you should focus on its specific version. Moreover, everyone should understand that every millimeter is essential. Especially in this direction, polymer coatings have advanced, where even 1-2 mm will be enough to withstand certain loads on the surface. True, not everyone can make such a high quality layer. In the screed, there will be even minor recesses where the solution for the self-leveling floor gets into.

In this case, it is important to know how self-leveling floors are made. After all, a thin layer is typical for the topcoat.

When there is one, there will be some intermediate ones. It is the base layer that will smooth out all the unevenness of the concrete or cement screed, the base itself. Moreover, these mixtures are not expensive due to the peculiar composition: gypsum, sand, cement, plasticizers. Polymers are almost completely absent, and if they are available in an insignificant size, then only to impart surface strength.

The maximum thickness of the self-leveling floor, or rather the base layer, can reach 80 mm. If at the same time there were also polymers in the mixture, then their final price would be transcendental. If you have to make an even larger screed, then it is best to fill it with other components, such as expanded clay, and only then proceed further. Cheapness also contributes to their replacement with semi-dry screeds. The surface becomes very smooth and can be used under any floor covering. Base layers cannot be a topcoat, as they are very easily abraded and have less durability in use.

Work can be carried out using fast-hardening mixtures. At the same time, special attention is paid to beacons and their placement. If this is not controlled, the thickness parameters from the manufacturer will be violated.

Optimal layer

Despite the high cost of polymer self-leveling floors, a minimum thickness is provided for them. Optimal formulations sometimes reach only a few millimeters, such as polyurethane formulations. On top of this, you can even apply the composition along with the colorant, with a thickness of no more than 0.3 mm. Even giving the surface shine and beauty does not take up much space on the entire surface.

Nobody makes such floors more than five millimeters, since all the characteristics still remain the same. Only money is wasted. These thickness parameters are also typical for epoxies. True, if there is a desire to paint such a surface, then the layer should be made large due to the high fragility of the epoxy.

Methyl methacrylate compositions dry quickly, and at the same time they can be performed in a layer of 1 mm. This height will be sufficient for minimal loads. When the mixture is based on cement, the optimal layer will be 8 mm.

High loads

Experts can answer how thick the self-leveling floor can be poured. At the same time, they all insist that self-leveling floors with a large screed thickness should not be used. In this case, it is best to use special mixtures that can even out the differences in height. In this case, the mixture will have different qualities depending on the manufacturer. This should be considered carefully.

Such compositions cannot be used as a topcoat due to their low strength characteristics.

A very large layer of mortar for self-leveling floor, exceeding the optimal performance, will harden for a long time. During this time, it is problematic to create favorable climatic conditions for drying: air humidity in the room, temperature, absence of drafts, etc.

If you cannot do without a thick layer, then you should do the work in parts: pour one layer, and after it dries, proceed to the second

Thickness at low temperatures

If you want to make a self-leveling floor with your own hands, step-by-step instructions will help you do this. But it is important to look at individual cases of work, such as in the case of constant low temperatures. It is very important to choose the right mix for the job, based on methyl methacrylate resins. They also contain special components that help to resist frost. In order for a self-leveling floor to actively withstand low temperatures, its thickness should be within 5-7 mm, not less. Refrigerators are a great option for such a floor.

Saving technique

Many people know how to make self-leveling floors with their own hands, but not everyone can boast of the ability to save mortar during work. There may be cases when the base, even under the base layer, is not quite crooked, you can work with a grinder. In this case, the irregularities will be smoothed out, and there will be fewer pores on the surface, which will require less primer.

Each crack and pothole should be eliminated, since the composition of the ready-made self-leveling floor solution can get there. Instead of alignment, everything will go to emptiness

You can not buy a primer, but do it yourself. To do this, take a mixture for a self-leveling floor and dilute it to such a state that it resembles paint in consistency. After applying it to the floor surface with a roller, several hours are enough until it dries, after which you can start making the "cake" of the self-leveling floor.

You can save on the base layer. For this, sifted sand and very fine sand are added to the mixture. After such a layer has completely dried, it is additionally leveled with a clean composition for the base layer (one millimeter is enough). The roller or the rule is also actively involved in the work. In each case, the technology must be followed and the approach must be individualized.

Thus, the height of the self-leveling floor will fully depend on the specific room, its parameters, as well as the environmental conditions. The maximum thickness of the self-leveling floor pouring should not exceed the specified indicators from the manufacturers. Height will not always give excellent performance. When colliding with self-leveling floors, a larger layer will take away only funds from the pocket, and all the characteristics and qualities will remain the same.

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