Epoxy Self-leveling Floor: What Is It, The Technology Of Its Use

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

Application technology
Base
Primer
The main layer of self-leveling floors
Finishing layer
How to choose a contractor
The main advantages of epoxy self-leveling floors
Leading manufacturers of self-leveling floors

A material such as an epoxy self-leveling floor is perfect for closed rooms, with a constant excess of average humidity levels, with a high probability of spilling of chemically aggressive substances (alkalis, acids, household chemicals):

production and storage facilities;
laboratories for various purposes;
premises for work (repair, maintenance) with equipment;
public premises with high traffic (educational and medical institutions, catering establishments, shopping malls, etc.);
residential buildings, summer cottages, etc.

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Application technology

Epoxy self-leveling floors are equipped in several stages:

The surface of the existing base is being prepared.
Then it is putty and primed.
Dust is removed after drying.
A base is being made on which the actual self-leveling floors (PP) will be applied.
The pattern is created.
The top (finishing) layer is applied.

Base

The preparation of the base, on which the bulk epoxy floor will be installed in the future, is the first stage of the preparatory work. The final result largely depends on the quality of this structural element.

It is allowed to equip an NP on any basis, be it concrete, tile or wood, etc. Differences will be only in a number of technological operations performed.

When applied to a wooden base, it should be borne in mind that self-leveling floors are very sensitive at the initial stage to the presence of moisture.

Therefore, the maximum permissible is the wood moisture content not exceeding 10%. It is required to remove stains of oil and other fats from the surface and to exclude the presence of dust.

Next, it needs to be sanded and sanded. If the surface of the wood is initially rough, it does not need to be primed.

The downside of such a base is its low strength.

If an epoxy self-leveling floor is poured onto a base tiled with ceramic tiles, then you must first check the quality of its installation.

If you find the places where the tile "breathes", it must be removed, and the resulting opening must be filled. Further work is performed in the same sequence: degrease, remove dirt and dust, prime and start pouring.

Concrete base. The ideal moisture content for such a substrate is 4%.

Dust is removed, defects (cracks, chips) are revealed, and they are sealed. For this, self-leveling self-leveling floors are used. After their chemical drying, it is required to sand the surface.

If you wish, to eliminate the identified defects of the base on which the self-leveling epoxy floors are set up, the technology for their elimination may be different, more convenient for you. In cases where the moisture content of the concrete base, for one reason or another, is higher than the optimal one, a preliminary application of a two-component epoxy primer - enamel is required.

Primer

The primed base improves adhesion to self-leveling floors. In addition, on concrete surfaces, the soil insulates the existing pores, which will further relieve the self-leveling floors from possible air bubbles. In some grades of primer, clean, fine and dry quartz sand is added in order to increase adhesion and level out minor surface defects.

If the first layer of the applied primer is quickly absorbed, then the surface should be re-primed.

The main layer of self-leveling floors

This stage can be started no earlier than after 6 hours - 12 hours, counting from the moment the primer is applied, or after 12 hours - 18 hours, if epoxy self-leveling floors are equipped.

The main layer is a continuous layer applied by the pouring method, followed by leveling under the level (performed with a squeegee or an ordinary spatula). With a large floor surface, it is recommended to fill in sections (squares or stripes, depending on the geometry of the room). Adjacent areas will be combined into a single monolithic base due to the plasticity of the material (spreading), until it dries completely.

You can move around the room without damaging the applied layer using special paint shoes that are worn on shoes. After pouring and leveling the layer to the required thickness, it is necessary to walk over the entire surface with a special spike roller, which helps to remove air bubbles from the material.

Epoxy floors can be applied in two or more coats. In this case, only the top layer gives it a color tone. Separately, about the technology of 3D floors.

The next step is to apply the selected pattern to the surface (optional) and apply a polyurethane-based varnish.

Finishing layer

It is applied similarly to the main one, but not earlier than a day or two after the completion of the previous stage of work. As a rule, the thickness of the finishing layer does not exceed 3 mm. The use of polyurethane varnish helps to improve the quality and visual perception of the coating.

The polymer floor itself does not undergo thermal shrinkage. However, shrinkage joints near the entrance gate (front door) and along the walls must be left without fail.

The average time for arranging self-leveling floors is 5 - 7 days.

How to choose a contractor

The best choice is to conclude a contract with a company that meets the following requirements:

This is a construction company specializing in the arrangement of self-leveling floors, with a full cycle of work: from the arrangement of the screed to the delivery of the finished floor to the customer.
Availability of modern high-tech equipment and skilled workers.
The ability of the company to complete the contract within the agreed time frame.
The company should be able to work not only with its own brands of self-leveling floors, but also with those offered by the customer.
Your prospective contractor must have a valid construction license.
At the request of the client, he is obliged to provide the addresses of objects where the company has already performed similar work.

The main advantages of epoxy self-leveling floors

Polymer floors, one of the varieties of which are self-leveling epoxy floors, have the following properties, which can without exaggeration be attributed to their advantages in comparison with floors made of other materials:

Solidity. The surface of such a floor is seamless, which contributes to an increase in their service life.
High resistance to chemically active materials (alkaline and acidic).
High vibration and shock resistance due to the significant elasticity of the mentioned floors. This property makes them indispensable in production workshops and warehouses.
Resistance to alternating mechanical stress.
On the surface of such floors, dust practically does not accumulate, which is due to the presence of a surface film that prevents the formation and accumulation of dust. A very serious plus for the arrangement of floors in laboratories and operating rooms.
A wide range of operating temperatures, which makes it possible to equip such coatings in open storage areas, etc. practically in any region of Russia.
Epoxy flooring has high fire and safety properties. Polymer floors are not subject to combustion, so they can be used to equip, for example, a welder's workplace.
High hygienic properties. Easy to clean, excludes the formation of bacteria and mold, other pathogenic microflora.
Decorative appeal. Perfectly complement any interior. And recently used decorative floors with images made in 3D make the room absolutely unique and memorable.
Durability. The period of exploitation of such floors in the most unfavorable conditions is at least 15 years. They are easy to update and repair.

When choosing such materials, it should be remembered that epoxy floors, the price of which is much lower than average for similar products, cannot be a quality product. It is not recommended to purchase them.

Leading manufacturers of self-leveling floors

The most widely represented on the Russian market are products of such globally recognized manufacturers as LITOKOL, IVSIL, BERGAUF and Russian-made goods of the OSNOVIT, STARATELI, TeoKhim brands

Epoxy flooring manufacturers provide their products with advantages in a number of performance characteristics, but they achieve this at the expense of others. Therefore, each brand has its own advantages and disadvantages.