How Long Does It Take Until The Self-leveling Floor Is Completely Dry?

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

• Effect on drying
• Drying conditions
• Curing and complete drying
• Coating options
• Drying 3d floors
• Comparison of different solutions

No technology stands still, but is constantly being improved. It is impossible to ignore the construction area, and in particular - self-leveling floors, which constantly have new options for execution. Popularity is spread not only to old buildings during repairs, but also in new buildings, when it is necessary to align floor slabs. But few people know about the time frame for drying a self-leveling floor under certain circumstances and depending on the specific type. Much will also depend on the flooring used.

Effect on drying

In each case, the drying time of the self-leveling floor is different. The reason for all this is a huge number of factors, among which the most common are:

• Layer and its thickness.

• Indicators of temperature and humidity level in the room where the self-leveling floor is being installed.

  

• The number of layers that are applied to the base.
• The presence of certain additives in the finished solution. Their characteristics are important here.
• Manufacturers of mortar for pouring on the base.
• The type of coating used.

At the same time, they may have optimal average indicators of the time frame, and sometimes it is worth waiting a little longer. Everything will depend on the use of the self-leveling finish, indoor conditions and other factors.

The solution can set in an hour after pouring, but it can dry after at least 6-8 hours. These data are focused on the most demanded mixtures, the most applicable in work

Drying conditions

It is very important to comply with certain requirements that are necessary for the drying process to take place under favorable conditions. The finished solution itself from the mixture should be as evenly distributed as possible over the entire area of the room.

Temperature readings inside the room should remain within + 22-25 degrees, without creating sharp jumps.

If you use a special film, then it will be able to protect the surface from UV rays. Better, of course, when the sun does not enter the room where the self-leveling floor is made. This will also determine how much the bulk floor dries. The optimum level of humidity at the facility must also be maintained - within 60-65%.

It is best to close the room itself while it dries. You can protect it from drafts, wind and other fluctuations in environmental conditions. The same applies to the temperature, which must be kept at the same level. It makes no sense to use different equipment to raise the temperature and dry quickly. This can only harm, the surface will begin to dry unevenly.

If each of these points is observed from beginning to end, then uniformity of drying is guaranteed. In this case, you should pay attention to the drying time, which is usually indicated by the manufacturer on the ready-made mortar for preparing the mortar for the self-leveling floor.

When, for example, the humidity is more than required, the floor can dry out, but it will take a little longer than in the standard version.

Curing and complete drying

Not always people can distinguish between such two very important concepts, such as the setting speed and the drying time of the pour. In the first case, it will be possible to safely move along the surface, and in the second, decorate and, if necessary, perform flooring. Pre-setting is achieved after a few hours. But it should be remembered that a lot will depend on the mixture used for pouring the self-leveling floor. Complete removal of moisture from the mixture is achieved on average 4-7 days after installation work. Everything will depend on which layer is made.

The warm floor can only turn on when the surface is completely dry. Up to this point, the entire "pie" can be damaged and cracked. It is better not to risk it, but to wait too long.

A stand-alone floor covering also places demands on the moisture content of the screed. You need to understand how much the self-leveling floor dries under the laminate, since such a material has the ability to absorb moisture. If the surface remains even slightly damp, then the elements of the laminate will begin to deform due to high humidity. This will damage all the material that will have to be reworked, spend extra money and effort on work.

Coating options

It is worth noting that cement mortars will require a longer waiting time from the contractor until they are completely dry.

But their application is focused on garages, industrial facilities, outbuildings. The self-leveling floor is completely dry only after at least a week after installation.

Polyurethane coatings are characterized by high quality and great durability. After pouring, you can move along it after 14-18 hours. He will be able to dry completely only after two days. Time will fluctuate, including the thickness of the screed layer.

Epoxy self-leveling floors dry a little more. At least five days will have to wait until the surface is completely dry. At the same time, the finished version of the base is able to withstand various kinds of external mechanical influences.

The drying process of various mixtures is called polymerization. It is worth highlighting other options for mixtures that will have different periods of their own polymerization.

1. Commercial polymer surfaces usually dry within 2-6 days. The time frame will be affected by the additives and impurities in the composition.

   

2. Gypsum (anhydrite). One has only to remember here that this surface is very afraid of excess moisture in the room. So that there is enough foot load on the base of the self-leveling floor, there will be enough time for two days before complete drying. To put the furniture in, wait at least 10 days. Previously, everything can be arranged, but then the surface of the finishing layer will suffer greatly.
3. Fast drying surface. With a short surface drying time of 2-5 hours, all technical characteristics remain at a very high level.

Each manufacturer indicates on their mixtures the approximate time for complete polymerization of the compositions. This can be adhered to, but in order to be sure of the final result, you should add 10-12 hours. Only then can the flooring be laid without any problems.

Drying 3d floors

You should know how long the floors dry after pouring, made in 3d format.

It all depends on the layer used to level the surface. The pattern and the parameters of its application will also play a significant role. You can immediately apply the ready-made solution on paper or a picture and wait for it to dry. If the drawing is made with paint, then time is waited for it to dry, and only then the self-leveling floor is laid.

Each separately taken polymer coating, as mentioned earlier, has its own terms until complete drying. It is them that should be adhered to when determining how long the flooded floors dry. In addition to this, only the drying of the glossy surface is added, which is based on the lacquer substance. However, varnish is not always used when working with 3d floors.

Conventional self-leveling floors dry much less than 3D-made floors in bulk. The minimum period is usually a week. To speed up the process, quick-drying mixtures are used.

Comparison of different solutions

If there is no understanding about what kind of floor filling dries how much, then you should contact the manufacturer. Each package of the mixture has information on the average surface drying rates to readiness. You can't look categorically at the composition and navigate by it. During the development of the mixture, the manufacturer uses various mixtures and components, their quality and quantity. There is an example table of such parameters, where the relevant information is indicated.

All this shows us only that the spread of time, how much the self-leveling floor dries is very extensive. The fastest in this direction are self-leveling floors - quick-hardening (for example, "Prospectors").

In addition, watch the video on self-leveling floors.

Video:

Video:

Video: