The Order Of Pouring The Second Finishing Layer Of The Self-leveling Floor Over The Base

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

• Features:
• Self-leveling floor options
• Tool selection
• Foundation preparation
• Surface priming
• Mixing the solution
• Filling with self-leveling solutions
• "Warm floor
• Finishing layer
• Recommendations and advice

Technologies in construction, as well as the building materials themselves, are constantly being improved, and there are more and more of them every day. At the same time, no one is going to experiment when carrying out repairs in an apartment, but prefers proven options. This suggests that at first the material must show its good side, only then it will begin to grow in popularity. I liked the self-leveling floor very much, in particular, the ease of its installation. If there is a desire to make high-quality self-leveling floors, step-by-step instructions must be followed from start to finish. We recommend watching the video and avoiding typical mistakes when pouring floors.

Features:

If you pay attention to the distinctive features of floor pouring, then they primarily come from the advantages of this technology.

1. Long service life. If the technology for laying the self-leveling floor is observed, then it can serve for several decades.
2. Getting a solid foundation.
3. Resists moisture, chemicals and minerals.
4. High level of fire safety.
5. Environmentally friendly after drying. Even the heating process will not allow the release of harmful substances into the environment.
6. Excellent appearance, which is matched to the interior of the room and depends on the wishes of the customer.
7. Not afraid of temperature changes.
8. The surface becomes even, can be used as a finishing base or serve as the main one for flooring any kind of flooring.

9. Dust does not remain on the self-leveling floor, and mold and mildew do not develop.

   

It should be noted that self-leveling floors can be poured onto existing surfaces, including the base layers of the self-leveling floor. The heated floor is not an exception here, which must be arranged according to all the rules and parameters.

To avoid damage to the self-leveling floor layer, the underfloor heating systems must not be switched on until the finished solution has completely dried. Otherwise, cracks and dips may appear in places due to uneven temperature distribution during the drying process.

Self-leveling floor options

Before choosing a specific version of the self-leveling floor, you should think about what the final thickness will be. This will be affected by the base for the pour, the presence of potholes, irregularities and other surface defects. A self-leveling floor can be performed on top of the self-leveling floor, but at the same time the base is leveled to the required level. In total, there are three main options for the device of self-leveling floors:

1. Finishing layer device. Its thickness is usually 3-5 mm. Since the layer is very thin, a high level of adhesion is required. This is achieved when a floor primer is used before pouring. The number of layers will depend on the substrate. In this case, the self-leveling floor will firmly adhere to the bottom layer, whatever it may be. But the primer is applied to the prepared surface, after passing it with a scraper or sandpaper.

   

2. Floating floor type. It is used for floor coverings such as linoleum, laminate, parquet. This is due to the fact that such materials have the properties of leveling over time along the laying line. It is influenced by temperature changes, air humidity and other factors. Its thickness usually varies from 25 millimeters or more. In this case, the self-leveling floor will harden without defects and damage. A polyethylene film acts as a separation layer here. Alternative film - roll waterproofing, parchment. Everything will depend on the size of the wallet and the customer's preferences. In this case, the overlap of the strips should be about 10-15 cm. One should not forget about the damper tape, which spreads along the perimeter of the room along the walls and architectural structures (columns). The main purpose of the tape is sound insulation and floor movement over time.

3. Separation layer used for clipping from the base. Most often it is used when installing a self-leveling floor on wooden beams, if necessary, create a surface with a thickness of 10-20 mm. Here, oiled paper acts as a separating layer between wood and mortar. To prevent the fill from adhering to the base, a waterproofing impregnation is created. This is done so that the movements of the wood, occurring almost constantly, do not affect the self-leveling floor. Similarly, 3d floors are made, in which volumetric effects are created. In them, a banner or a picture acts as a separation layer.

   

Each separately taken scheme cannot become a reference for a specific room. Everything is created individually, to some extent added and improved. In reality, there are much more such options for pouring self-leveling floors in an apartment.

Tool selection

Before starting all work, you should prepare a set of tools required to fill the floor in the room. This includes:

• Special containers.
• Aeration roller.
• Wet walkers.
• Drill with attachment.
• Raklya.

• Rollers and spatulas.

  

• Remedies.
• Vacuum cleaner.
• Spatulas.

The complete list will depend on the specific circumstances and on the version of the self-leveling floor. The most important thing is to worry about your health, since in the process of pouring a self-leveling floor, the solution emits a huge amount of harmful substances that can negatively affect the health of specialists.

When choosing paint shoes, you should pay attention to the fact that they do not "walk" on the leg, but sit tightly. Only in this case, the work can be done quickly and efficiently.

Foundation preparation

A very important stage in the arrangement of self-leveling floor layers is the preparation of the base. Here you should make every effort to get the really desired result. To begin with, the base for the self-leveling floor is horizontally leveled. If there are significant drops and protrusions, they must be removed and dismantled. The smoother the surface is, the easier and cheaper it will be to arrange the base layer of the self-leveling floor.

If there are any flaking areas, remove them all before pouring the floor. All these surfaces are subsequently cleaned of debris and primed. If you need to fill significant defects, you can use ready-made building mixtures. It is enough to dilute them with water. Drying occurs as soon as possible, after which you can start pouring the base layer of the self-leveling floor.

In order for the adhesion to be at a high level, the preparation of the self-leveling floor should include cleaning the surface from debris and dust using a construction vacuum cleaner. It will not be superfluous to wipe it with a damp cloth. Some people may think that this will not work out quickly. In reality, it is preparation that should be given great importance. The quality of the entire floor will depend on it.

It is very important to know at what temperature the bulk floor is poured. Its average indicator is 15 degrees. Lower temperatures will slow down the reaction in the solution, which will affect the degree of flow. Such conditions often increase consumption, reduce quality, and change the color of the material.

It is not superfluous to check the humidity in the room, as well as the bases for pouring the self-leveling floor in the apartment. The surface should not be more than 4% moisture content. Otherwise, it is necessary to make several layers of waterproofing in order to exclude moisture from entering the poured solution. Only in this case will the liquid self-leveling floor be of excellent quality.

Surface priming

Pour the self-leveling floors of the apartment only on the prepared surface. In addition to thorough cleaning, you should also use a primer under the self-leveling floor. It avoids the appearance of defects on the subsequent surface. To further increase adhesion, quartz sand is added to the primer.

With its help, roughness appears. The primer for the self-leveling floor is purchased ready-made in the store. A roller is used for application.

There may be situations where the self-leveling floor primer is absorbed. Then, after drying, you should perform another layer and wait until it dries. Based on the result, it will be possible to draw some conclusions. But without this it is by no means possible to start filling the base layer. All work will be down the drain since the likelihood of flaking is high.

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Mixing the solution

You can independently determine how much of the mixture is required to work in the room in order to fill the liquid floor. One liter will be enough per square meter of room area if the layer thickness is 1 mm. With an increase in the layer, the consumption of the mixture will also increase.

It is worth paying attention to the consistency, which differs depending on the manufacturer. The floor in the room should be poured at one time so that the result is pleasing. It is for this that the solution is prepared with a margin, so that you do not have to watch it solidify before preparing a new portion. It will not be superfluous to seek advice from the seller, who will help you navigate the choice of the mixture and its amount for installation.

Since the self-leveling floor can be made in two layers, the first layer, called "base", is made from less expensive mixtures, since their thickness will be much greater than the finishing one. For this, there are self-leveling mixtures with a sufficient set of qualities and characteristics.

To prepare the solution, it is enough to pour the mixture into a container and pour the required amount of water. Everything is written about this in the instructions from the manufacturer. She should be guided to comply with all parameters. After mixing, the solution is left for a few minutes, and then everything is mixed again. Any additives and fillers should be added during the second mixing of the solution. When a self-leveling floor is performed, the application of the solution should occur instantly so that it does not have time to seize. Usually the time is set to 40 minutes.

Filling with self-leveling solutions

When pouring the base layer, it is necessary to observe the stages of work and the sequence of all actions:

1. A limiter is made in the doorway. It can be a piece of drywall, profile or rail. The same can be done when installing self-leveling floors in two stages in large rooms.
2. The width of the floor strips when pouring should be no more than half a meter. The first of the strips is laid along the wall opposite the entrance.
3. The second fill strip should be performed without any interruption. The rest of the strips are carried out in the same way throughout the room. In parallel with the pouring, the mortar should be leveled with a spatula.
4. After a full cycle of pouring, the surface is covered with an aeration roller. It removes air bubbles. In order not to damage the surface, paint shoes are used in the work.

5. A polyethylene film is placed on top of the self-leveling compound so that the drying process takes place evenly. The set time must be met without fail.

   

This layer of the self-leveling floor is arranged so that the base fits perfectly. Self-leveling mixtures smooth out all defects and errors, remove irregularities and other points. Only after that you can proceed with the installation of the finishing layer or leave the surface for the flooring of any kind of floor covering. In the latter case, you can think about whether you need to fill the floors with a finishing layer.

In hot weather, do not expose to the sun, do not use heating with heat guns, the floor should dry evenly. Use water to moisten the screed and cover with foil, this contributes to uniform, smooth drying.

"Warm floor

Leveling the floor with a liquid floor has its own subtleties and features. This is more true for the underfloor heating system. The distributors should clarify the compatibility of polymer coatings. Indeed, when heated, not every option is perfect in terms of environmental friendliness and safety for health. True, here the approximate surface temperature is from 30 to 36 degrees, it will be favorable for the human foot and is compatible with self-leveling floors.

The installed underfloor heating system is poured with a ready-made solution, after which it is necessary to wait about an hour for it to set. After that, it remains only to fill in the finishing thin layer, which will make the surface perfectly flat and smooth.

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Finishing layer

As for the finishing layer, there are no peculiarities of its own, except for laying a thin layer up to 3-5 mm. Mixing the solution and preparing the base is carried out in a similar way. Just remember that the first layer (base) must dry out without fail, after which it is covered with a primer. When the primer is dry, proceed to applying the finishing coat. To prepare the solution, special mixtures are used for self-leveling floors.

At the same time, we must not forget about caring for the pouring after its application to the surface: removing bubbles, leveling, creating conditions for complete drying and uniform.

Anti-slip conditions can be created. To do this, after pouring into the solution, sprinkle with washed sand, and then work with an aeration roller. If you do without sand, then work less with a roller so that the bursting bubbles subsequently form craters. This is what will prevent slipping. The main thing is to carry out the self-leveling floor in stages, observing the technology.

Recommendations and advice

Before installation, you should decide on what material to fill the floor with. For this, there is the Internet, where you can find numerous reviews and advice on their choice. Preference is given to proven manufacturers who have been working on the market for more than one year.

When the technology of pouring the floor in the apartment was not followed from the very first stage - the preparation of the base, the result would be a crisp floor covered with numerous cracks. All existing cracks will contribute to the appearance of air, which will come out precisely through the flooded floor.

Mixing the solution can bring disadvantages if debris, insects get into it. In the future, it will not be possible to get them out of the flooded floor. We'll have to break up areas and repair the self-leveling floor. This applies not only to the finishing layer, but also to the base layer. Floor pouring rules must be strictly observed. In this case, the solution itself must have a uniform consistency. Otherwise, it will harden unevenly and its qualities will not appear in all areas.

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Filling the liquid floor with your own hands should be carried out by at least two people in order to have time to distribute the entire finished solution over the entire area of the room. Time is given for everything no more than 35-40 minutes, after which the mixture begins to solidify and lose its qualities of fluidity in the first place.

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