If enough buckets are available, pre-measure the water, so that it doesnt have to be measured at the time of mixing. Its important to make sure that the latex comes with the floor leveling compound or that it is purchased with it, if it doesnt come packaged together. Subscribe to our newsletter to get Mapei news, Fast-Setting, Polymer-Modified, Cement-Based Patching Compound Planipatch is an ultra fast-drying, self-curing, polymer-modified,, Professional, Self-Leveling Underlayment Novoplan 2 Plus is a high-strength, self-leveling, cement-based underlayment and repair mix for. Start the pour from as far away from the door as possible, working back towards the doorway. Things get a bit more complicated with wood, though, as you need to seal it to prevent warping as it will absorb the water in the compound., While a few extra steps are necessary, it is still an easy, attractive, and long-lasting way to create an even and level floor surface or base for tile and other flooring types.. Self-leveling compounds are helpful in several circumstances when the existing floor is not even or level. What is the mixing ratio of water to patching compound? 0000023062 00000 n 0000191742 00000 n Drains should have a dam put around them, so that the leveling compound doesnt go down them. Once you begin pouring the compound, you need to do all the work quickly as it cures rapidly, and you cannot retool it.. Ideal consistency is about like that of pancake batter. Next, use the gauge rake to smooth the compound and achieve a consistent depth., When you finish pouring one bucket, move quickly back to mix the next one. Although most compounds are suitable for concrete or wood subfloors, check the package to ensure that wood flooring is listed.. Visit our System Solutions portal here. Measure and fill each bucket you have with the needed amount of water so that you can mix multiple batches of the compound in succession quickly., Use one bucket of water to store the mixing attachment and drill when not in use to prevent it from drying out between mixes., Create a plan for pouring, starting from the area furthest from the doorway and working backward. Allow this to dry thoroughly before proceeding to the following steps, usually 24 to 48 hours., If the floor has some low spots, circle these with a permanent marker. 0000001809 00000 n Settling of the foundation, as well as shifting of the ground beneath the home, can cause a number of structural problems, including floors becoming unleveled, even to the point of what seems like undulating floors. You can do this by using a laser level or a long bubble level. 0000007098 00000 n 0000196122 00000 n Well, the answer is actually no. Push the mortar into the void and leave it 'proud' (sitting slightly high) of the surface. Marking those areas will make it easier to know where to make sure to apply a bit more leveling compound. Providing better information on softwood and hardwood. 0000027316 00000 n Later, when the wood dried out again and shrunk back to its normal size, gaps would form between the wood and the leveling compound. Note that if the area is allowed to completely dry before the levelling compound is installed, you may need to re-prime the surface. Mix and Pour the Compound Quickly but Evenly, 10. CustomTech from Custom Building Products -- the brand flooring contractors have trusted since 1964. Later, when pouring the compound, ensure that you pour at these areas to ensure that they are filled and brought to the same level as the rest of the floor., Estimate the amount of compound needed by measuring the area of the floor and multiplying it by the desired height. Likewise, doors need to be blocked off, with a piece of wood nailed or screwed into place, to form a straight line. Use painters caulk to seal any gaps between boards or between the wall and the plywood. 0000039374 00000 n Finally, wash the buckets, mixer, gage rake and other tools as soon as the job is done, so as to keep the compound from drying on them. Even so, it is not necessary on thin applications of or less. Copyright 2022 MAPEI Corporation. It has about the same thermal properties as concrete and can withstand high temperatures., Many tiles, such as ceramic ones, require a perfectly level floor, or they can break or come loose. Leave the mortar to harden. Since the leveling compound is mixed one bucket at a time, it helps to fill an extra bucket with water, as a place to park the drill and paddle, between mixes. Now that we have established that mortars wont work for leveling and patching, what can be done with a dip or a hump in the substrate? Be sure to check the instructions for the compound being used, as some may recommend it more than others. You need to keep moving, as you only have about 20 minutes before the compound starts to cure and set up., Use a bucket with soap and water to wash off all tools before the compound dries on them. Ceramic tile is especially susceptible to variations in the substrate, which can cause cracking and loosening of the tiles, if not properly taken care of. There are many things which can go wrong in the process, most of which are associated with the surface preparation. (& How to Save it), Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Advertise. After youve removed all dust and debris, use a damp sponge or towel to wipe the floors down and then allow them to dry., The end grain of the plywood is the most susceptible to water infiltration. Check the label to ensure that it can be used on wood. If plywood does absorb water, it can cause it to expand and alter contact, leaving a void or warped area on the floor., Over time, this can worsen, leading to the need to replace the floor or repeat the entire process. Add the powdered compound to the mixing bucket first, folLowed by water or the acrylic mixing solution. While it has a wide range of uses, the most common ones are restoring uneven floors and ensuring perfectly level floors before applying tile or other flooring types. Many specifically mention using it on old concrete, but what about wood subfloors? Mario brings years of knowledge and expertise in his role as a Technical Support Advisor at MAPEI. Most thin-set mortars have a maximum thickness of 1/4" (6 mm) and medium-bed mortars have a maximum of 1/2" (12 mm). Mario eventually went on to operate his own successful flooring company in Pennsylvania for 15 years before relocating to South Florida. 0000217488 00000 n You need to do the entire process in one go. 0000003204 00000 n Likewise, the edges of the plywood need to be sealed, keeping moisture from getting to those edges or from flowing under the plywood. 0000199838 00000 n Water could go down in those cracks to be absorbed by the end grain in the plywood. The ultimate resource for plywood. Walking on floors that arent level can be extremely uncomfortable. Remove all debris from the floor, including anything projecting from the floor, such as wood splinters or chips. Novoplan 2 Plus and Planipatch are easy to use, work exactly as intended and are readily available at a local distributor in your area. Next, sweep or vacuum the floor thoroughly to ensure no dust or debris is left behind. Mix the powder with clean water in a mixing container to produce a mortar. But not all homes floors stay flat and level, even if a home is well-built. This full line of flooring prep products incorporates the most advanced technologies available. UltraCare Stone, Tile, Grout Care and Maintenance Solutions, Products for Underground Construction (UTT), Systems for Installing LVT in Wet Environments, MAPEI Technical Institute (In-Person Trainings), MAPEI Technical Institute (Online Trainings), Save favorite articles, projects, products, solutions and calculations. Some fast-drying compounds can withstand foot traffic in as little as 45 minutes, while others can take several hours. Even so, some brushing around corners and fixtures may be necessary. 0000217565 00000 n Depending on the product you buy, you can pour the compound as thin as an eighth of an inch or as thick as 5 inches., This gives you a wide range of applicability and makes raising the floor much more manageable than traditional concrete., The product makes installing a radiant floor simple as it easily flows around and between the tubing or wires. TYPICAL SQUARE FOOT COVERAGE PER 50 LB BAG (SQUARE METER PER 22.68 KG). 0000012608 00000 n Products | Resources | Interactive Tools | Warranties | TechnicalTraining, Waterproofing Membranes And Underlayments, TechLevel WSF - Fiber Reinforced Self-Leveling Underlayment for Wood Subfloors Brochure, TechLevel WSF - Fiber Reinforced Self-Leveling Underlayment for Wood Subfloors Brochure - Spanish, No lath required for plywood and OSB subfloors, High strength for 1/4 to 1.5 nominal pours, Low Prep Formula; Just Sweep, Prime & Pour- no sandblasting required on acceptable surfaces, Compatible with most radiant heating systems, Exceeds TCNA and ASTM requirements for ceramic tile and resilient floor covering installations, High flow formula has excellent handling and exceptional flow retention properties. Instead, pour it on a dirt area of your yard and then remove the leftover compound after it dries out and throw it in the trash.. Its best to roll this on, rather than brushing it, as that tends to leave a thicker, more even coat. CustomTech offers real solutions to the challenges contractors face on the job every day, whether its a common issue like young concrete -- or the challenge of pumping leveler up 60 stories in high-rise construction. Apply the mortar with a trowel to the holes or damaged areas. You can use cardboard or plastic sheeting to form a ring around any drains, caulking the base to avoid seepage., You can use a piece of scrap wood for doorways to create a barrier, which you can later cover using a threshold., Next, seal the plywood using a thick coat of primer. 0000017362 00000 n 0000035624 00000 n For smaller issues that only require patching and not necessarily the need to level an entire area, MAPEI makes a product called Planipatch, an ultra fast-drying, self-curing, polymer-modified, cement-based patching compound that rapidly develops high compressive strength and can be used to fill minor voids, holes and cracks. 0000281960 00000 n <<3305A4895A60334098BAB0B158AAC77D>]/Prev 345902>> Lath performs the same function for self-leveling floor compound, that rebar does for concrete, helping to keep it from cracking. It can be as little as 4-6 hours with some compounds. But only mix for two or three minutes, as the compound is fast setting. This will help prevent the compound from hardening on the mixing paddle, making it necessary to clean it off. So, the main factor to focus on when using the compounds on a wood floor is proper surface preparation., The steps for using the compound on a wood floor are detailed below. Floor leveling compounds are actually made to go over concrete. 0000006778 00000 n Looking for more tips for tile installation, as well as other flooring solutions? 0000193472 00000 n Some of the typical applications include: Self-leveling compounds are a quick and easy way to get a great floor with little tooling or dry time., It works well in basements and patios that are chipped or cracked, but it would be too expensive or difficult to replace the entire slab. Chart for estimating purposes. %PDF-1.4 % When pouring self-leveling compounds onto a wood subfloor, the most important thing is to prepare everything ahead of time. It also prevents water or moisture from making its way under the concrete compound., Dont worry too much about the color or height of the sill sealer, as you will cut off all exposed material after the floor has cured., If your room has drains or doorways, you need to create a dam or block to prevent the liquid compound from seeping through. What tool is used to apply the compound to the floor? You can also use the caulk to fill holes or cracks in the plywood where you suspect water could get in., Use a stapler to install a sill sealer at the base of all the walls that make up the floors perimeter. 0000005583 00000 n While they can be repaired; having the repairs done can be quite expensive. startxref Most will work on wood as well, but its important to verify that the compound purchased will. The actual mixing is done with a electric drill and a paddle, of the same kind that is used for thinset or for mixing drywall compound. 18 57 > Products > CustomTech Flooring Prep > Leveling > TechLevel WSF Fiber Reinforced Self-Leveling Underlayment for Wood Subfloors. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'homeinspectioninsider_com-box-3','ezslot_2',800,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homeinspectioninsider_com-box-3-0')};Self-leveling compounds are a great way to finish uneven floors or prepare a surface for delicate tile installation. Because mortar will stick to the concrete slab and the wood subfloor, and mortar will stick to mortar, then it would only make sense that mortar would work for leveling or patching, right? If you notice a white film on the surface of the compound, it means that you have added too much water. The materials used in mortars render the product unstable once the thickness exceeds the manufacturers recommended maximum thickness. As with many other operations, proper surface preparation is critical to the successful application of self-leveling floor compound. So, its a good idea to open all the packages and stage everything in sets for easy pouring and mixing. A self-leveling compound is a cement mixture that includes a polymer to make it more viscous, ensuring it cures more uniformly. Below is a link to a video clip demonstrating how to use Ardex Liquid Backerboard. 0000029272 00000 n 0000004398 00000 n This is applying a slurry to wood, which would allow the liquid in the slurry to be absorbed into the wood fibers, causing expansion. 0000001920 00000 n 0000210830 00000 n At MAPEI, we believe that preparation and execution go hand in hand to obtain the best possible solution to any situation. Mortars cannot be used to level or patch a floor ever! Add the dry compound to the measured water in the bucket and begin mixing with the drill and attachment., Mix thoroughly for about 2 minutes, achieving a consistency that is about the same as pancake batter. In doing so, clean-up should be relatively quick and easy., Do not pour the wastewater down the sink or storm drains, as it could cure and cause blockages. Dont dump the dirty water down the drain, but rather in a hidden corner of the yard, where it can dry. A sill sealer can be used around the perimeter of the room, sealing the plywood subflooring to the wall. The most versatile self-leveler is Novoplan2Plus, a high-strength, cement-based underlayment and repair mix for use over interior concrete, plywood and other approved floor surfaces. concrete floors, the preparations are straightforward and usually involve a thorough cleaning to ensure the mix bonds well to the existing surface, When And How To Use Self-Leveling Concrete, Plus The 5 Best Brands, Paint and Drywall Mixer attachment for a standard power drill, Several buckets to prepare and mix the compound in. Other areas need to be sealed off too, if they exist. Once the mixture is consistent and through=gh;y mixed, begin pouring., Start from the back and pour back and forth to get a more or less even coat. Count on our patches to eliminate flooring installation problems associated with disbonding, crumbling, mold, mildew and staining. 0000220382 00000 n Better to allow it to dry, then scrape the dried up compound off the wall later. All rights reserved.