Is It Possible To Fill The Self-leveling Floor With A Second Layer Over The Self-leveling Floor

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

Specificity of self-leveling floors
Find out the composition
Self-leveling floor options
Fill rules
Cooking the surface
Step-by-step instruction
Recommendations

Self-leveling floors are designed to reduce work time and labor costs. To do this, there is a large assortment of ready-made mixtures, in which it is enough to add the required amount of water and fill. In this case, only the basic requirements for self-leveling floors should be studied, thanks to which the entire installation process can be performed on our own and an answer to the question of whether it is possible to fill the second layer of self-leveling floor.

Specificity of self-leveling floors

To level the floor surface for subsequent use, two types of mixtures are used - leveling agents and finishing compounds. They interact closely with each other, since the former are used in order to smooth out all existing irregularities and can be arranged on various surfaces, and the latter are created in order to give the base a perfectly flat surface. It is this surface that will serve as the final version of the floor, which can be painted, decorated and independently come up with various combinations.

The leveling device creates a surface height from 10 mm to 30 cm. The top coat is arranged up to a maximum of 25 mm. In the latter case, the thickness is not so large due to the high cost of ready-made mixtures.

This all suggests that if there is such a need, then the first layer of the self-leveling floor is initially poured from cheaper mixtures for work, and only after that the finishing layer is performed with a huge number of positive qualities. The second layer of self-leveling floor can be performed, but the first one will need to be completely dried. In some cases, this takes about a day. But the result is a decent result.

It should also be noted that the finishing layer is best poured onto an almost flat surface without significant defects. Otherwise, drying will not occur evenly, the qualities will not always remain at the original level, and the cost of the finished floor will be enormous. It is for this purpose that the first layer of self-leveling floor is created from special ready-made mixtures, which acts as a sub-floor. True, it cannot guarantee a perfectly flat surface.

Find out the composition

Any mixture, even if the finishing self-leveling floor is poured, includes the following main components:

Astringents. It can be cement, gypsum, their combination, which are complemented by polymer components.

Self-leveling floor on self-leveling
Supplements. They impart such qualities to the mortar as excellent spreading, better plasticity, increased adhesion with the previous layer or overlap.
Placeholders. This includes lime chips, sand with the corresponding fraction.

Its application will depend on the content of the mixture itself - for the finishing layer or as a leveling of the surface from the existing irregularities. If desired, mixtures with dyes are selected, which is especially typical for the final version of the floor.

Each mixture will have a purpose: for the kitchen, bathroom, garage and other objects.

Gypsum mixes are suitable for dry rooms, and for wet rooms it is better to take cement-based compounds. At the same time, their qualities will differ markedly, and the drying time will also differ.

Underfloor heating requires an elastic solution to work. The mixture should change under the influence of constant temperatures (contract and expand). When the deadlines are tight and you want to do everything as quickly as possible, it is best to arrange a quick-hardening universal self-leveling floor.

A universal self-leveling floor can be used to install not only the second layer - the finishing one, but also the main one - the subfloor. Everything will depend on the preferences of the customer or an independent contractor.

Self-leveling floor options

Before starting work, even if the self-leveling floor is performed in a second layer, you should decide on its total thickness. The choice of a specific option will also depend on this. Material for work will also play a significant role.

When the screed is made in compliance with the technology and is maximally adjusted to the set level, then you can immediately start pouring the finishing layer. Its thickness will be at most 5 mm. In order for the prepared solution to easily connect to the base, the latter must be treated with a primer.
Self-leveling floor with a separating layer device. Its thickness is usually up to 20 mm. It can even be performed on a wooden base. Particular attention is paid to the separation layer, which is made between the floor and the mortar. Oiled paper is used for its execution. Waterproofing impregnation is also used as a separating layer (for cement screed). This is done so that the self-leveling floor does not suffer from constant movements of the wood, does not crack and does not lose its qualities. Even a cement screed can absorb moisture from the topcoat, which is avoided by a layer of waterproofing.

Self-leveling floor on self-leveling
Floating floor type. This option is mounted for subsequent flooring (linoleum, laminate, parquet). The minimum height of such a floor can be 25 mm. There is also a kind of layer that prevents the solution from clinging to walls and floors. A damper tape is laid on the sides, and a polyethylene film on the base.

Fill rules

Not everyone knows that when a self-leveling floor is arranged on a self-leveling floor, can various mixtures be used in the work. You can even say that it is not possible, but necessary, since a very large layer will require significant financial costs.

At the same time, it is very important that windows and doors are arranged in the room in order to exclude temperature extremes and emerging drafts that contribute to uneven drying of the solution and the appearance of negative phenomena.

After pouring, the humidity level in the room and temperature indicators should be maintained at the proper level. Each package of mortar for self-leveling floor has an indication of the rules for preparing the mortar from the manufacturer. These recommendations should be followed in order to prepare a valid quality solution for the job.

Cooking the surface

The surface for the self-leveling floor should be prepared absolutely any. It can be wood, concrete, cement screed. The moisture content of the tree should not exceed 10%, and the plinth must be removed without fail. It will be possible to install it, but after filling it. There should be no paint, varnish or glue. If the surface has significant differences in height, dents, lack of elements, then for a start the first layer of self-leveling floor is made from less expensive mixtures. For this, there is a number of ready-made options, among which the universal quick-hardening self-leveling floor is popular. It can be arranged up to a height of 10 cm if there are significant defects in the base. In addition, you can choose a narrower and finishing layer, which is up to 2 mm. This solution is excellent in the presence of a "warm floor",as well as when installing a floating floor. In this case, the strength of the self-leveling floor meets all the requirements of building codes and regulations.

When it comes to a concrete base, its moisture content should not exceed 4%. Check the compressive strength of the surface with a Schmidt hammer. An alternative would be a Dean type device. After installation, the cement screed or concrete base should stand for about 4 weeks, only after that you can start pouring the self-leveling floor.

None of the surfaces should be free of debris, dust, dirt and foreign elements. Especially when it comes to old tiles, which should be removed if possible. This will only contribute to poor-quality drying and a poor surface.

Probably everyone knows that it is better to spend money on specialists who can perform a self-leveling floor efficiently and quickly than to dismantle it. The costs are simply huge and not only financially. In some cases, you can fill the self-leveling floor with a second layer, but it is better to entrust this process to specialists.

Particular attention is paid to priming the surface. This helps to improve adhesion to the substrate. In addition, the self-leveling floor will spread much better. During operation, the temperature in the room should be the same. Otherwise, bubbles may appear, which will have to be disposed of.

Step-by-step instruction

Manufacturers make marks on the packages with the mixture, how to properly prepare everything in order to fill the second layer of the self-leveling floor. Moving away from stirring technology will immediately lose performance.

The mixture prepared by hand has a polymerization time of about 40 minutes. During this time, it is necessary to pour the solution over the surface so that it does not have time to lose its qualities.

Installation is carried out with an assistant, especially if the room is large enough. Duties are distributed between each of the performers, which should be adhered to: preparation of the solution, pouring, distribution of the finished mixture over the surface with a spatula.

If we fill the floors in two layers, then the first leveling must dry out for a certain time. This will help to avoid possible negative manifestations in the future. For the finishing layer, even if it is used for flooring, the same technology and requirements should be followed as for the first layer.

The work is carried out in one step. The only exception is the device of combined floors. Filling is carried out in strips, the width of which does not exceed 50 cm. It will not be superfluous to adhere to a checkerboard pattern.

After pouring the entire solution over the area of the room, it is necessary to remove the bubbles formed during the mixing process, for which an aeration roller is used. When moving over the surface of the filled-in self-leveling floor, paint shoes are put on, which can be done independently.

On the self-leveling floor, the second layer is possible. You just need to follow the recommendations and choose the right mixture for this, so as not to spend a lot of money.

Recommendations

In the process of performing a self-leveling floor, difficulties may arise with the fact that it will turn out to fill only half of the area of the room. This is especially true for newcomers to the construction industry. Everyone immediately begins to look for answers to the question of whether it is possible to fill the self-leveling floor in layers. It is very important to adhere to the minimum thickness of the mixture. When in one place the level is set to zero, and somewhere around 20 mm, then no one recommends experimenting. After all, no one knows how the finished solution can behave after drying in a thin layer. It can crack or flake off altogether. Then you have to do all the work again. Of course, experts recommend one proven method: use tile glue in place to zero, which is applied to the entire surface. It also saves money.

When the first layer of the self-leveling floor is made in half, that is, instead of the required 20 mm, 10 mm are poured, then the second layer of the self-leveling floor can be arranged. But at the same time, one must not forget about priming the surface.

After that, probably, no one will have any questions about whether it is possible to fill the floor in two layers. Nobody forbids doing this even by technology. True, you should wait until the previous layer is completely dry and get rid of a certain amount of moisture.