Leveling the floor with a concrete screed. How to level a concrete floor - screeds, mixes and options for flooring

Basically, the concrete floor in an apartment or house is far from ideal, which means it must be leveled. This material will cover the question of how to level a concrete floor, how to level it and what materials should be used.

Why level a concrete floor

Concrete flooring is found almost everywhere. It is endowed with a whole range of unique parameters, but it will only be possible to fully apply them if the base is even, or the concrete floors have been leveled.

The following deformations of the base are widely encountered:

• Slight waviness resulting from incorrect rule processing.
• Wave-like bends placed on the entire base.
• Partial surface changes caused by mortar sagging.

During long-term operation, an improperly executed floor in an apartment is destroyed. Cracks, depressions and various chips are born on its surface. Such violations can lead to the destruction of installed equipment and furniture, as well as personal injury.

In addition to negative technical aspects, the appearance of the floor also deteriorates. To level these shortcomings, proper repair of the base is necessary. In addition to a leveled floor, you can also purchase an insulated and well-insulated surface. A similar process is carried out by performing a screed, which can be “wet” or “dry”.

In the initial case, leveling compounds are used. And dry technology uses loose mixtures. And this means that how to level the concrete floor depends entirely on the initial state of the coating.

Preparing the concrete floor for leveling

Before you level the floor, you need to perform a number of preparatory activities. They will give answers to questions on how to level, as well as how to level a concrete floor.

The main stages of preparation:

1. Removing the old base. Eliminate all bumps using a perforator to achieve the most leveled surface.
2. If there are significant gaps, then they should be widened, covered with a primer of strong penetration, filled with a solution of the treated areas.
3. The next step is waterproofing the floor. To do this, you can use a plastic film, roofing material or liquid waterproofing materials. The main condition is that the insulation goes on the walls above the future screed. If repairs are made in the bathroom or bathroom, then this stage should be taken seriously.
4. Calculation of the existing level difference. A similar stage will accurately indicate,. If the height difference does not exceed 3 cm, then self-leveling mixtures are used. With a value of 3 to 10 centimeters, the usual wet concrete screed is implemented for everyone. And if the differences exceed the above values, dry equalization is applied.
5. Finding the level of the performed floor. The search for the highest point is performed, the value of the future screed is added to this value. The resulting value is marked on the walls, connected by horizontal lines. Subsequently, beacons will be mounted along it. For such an operation, a laser level is excellent.

Leveling with cement mortar

This method is used when it is necessary to level a difference of 3 - 10 cm. Guides must be mounted on a pre-prepared base. In the role of beacons, you can use any available material, it is better to use a perforated profile. They are fixed with the help of pyramids from the solution, and then aligned according to the level found.

The distance between the installed guides is chosen according to the size of your rule so that they are somewhat narrower. But at the same time, the distance should not be more than a meter.

You can make your own mix or purchase a pre-mixed mix. For the manufacture of cement class M 400, sifted sand and water will be required. Dry ingredients are mixed in the ratio: one part of cement to three parts of sand. Mixing is done with a drill with a nozzle, and so much water is added to make “thick sour cream”.

The prepared mixture must be poured within 120 minutes after preparation. If you do not meet the time interval, then the solution will begin to solidify, which means it will lose its properties. You also need to fill the entire floor area entirely.

The prepared composition is poured from the far corner from the located door. At the same time, the composition is aligned according to the installed beacons. After leveling, it is desirable to pierce the solution in several places with a thin rod. This action will remove possible air "pockets".

If a screed of 5–10 centimeters is performed, then the structure can be further strengthened through the use of reinforcing materials. For these purposes, a reinforced metal mesh is used, which is laid on the prepared surface, or microfiber, which is added during the preparation of the solution, when it is stirred.

A day later, the flooded floor is moistened with water with their own hands, covered with a film. Wetting is performed for several days in a row, then the surface is left until it fully matures. This period is four weeks.

During the drying of the surface, avoid drafts. If this moment is neglected, then the surface will dry out unevenly, which will lead to its deformation.

After waiting for the necessary time, you can proceed to further repairs.

The main advantages of the dry method:

• This type of work is carried out very quickly and further repairs can be started immediately after the completion of this stage.
• The use of water is completely excluded.
• Easy implementation of communications inside the screed.
• There are no restrictions on the implementation time of the basis.

In addition, such a screed creates an additional heat and soundproof layer.

The algorithm of the necessary actions is as follows:

• A pre-prepared dry mixture is poured onto the prepared base.
• Then sheets of chipboard or gypsum-fiber boards are laid, which are fastened with self-tapping screws or special locking joints of the plates.
• The resulting base is primed.

This process is very fast. In this case, the only essential requirement is a ban on the movement of already laid slabs.

The use of self-leveling floors

How to level the concrete floor in cases of small differences. If, after checking the base, it was found that the difference does not exceed three centimeters, then in this case it is advisable to use specialized mixtures, which, after application, spread on their own and take a perfectly even position.

Now such materials are widely distributed. The main ingredient of such a composition is cement with the inclusion of plasticizers that improve the fluidity of the solution, as well as its strength characteristics.

The main disadvantage of this cut is its impossibility of application without the final layer. Without alternative, you need to lay, for example, porcelain tiles, parquet, linoleum or laminate.

The algorithm of actions in this case is as follows:

• The base must be cleaned with a construction vacuum cleaner from all contaminants.
• Without fail, we perform surface treatment with a primer of strong penetration. It is necessary for better adhesion of the base to the screed. We also glue the film along the wall to create a thermal seam.
• We perform mixing of the dry mixture with the required amount of water according to the algorithm indicated on the container.
• We splash out the prepared mass on the floor. Level the spilled mixture over the surface using a rake. Filled areas must be treated with a spiked roller to eliminate air bubbles. You can move around in special needle shoes.

The period of complete drying of such a solution is always indicated on the package. After the set time has elapsed, you can proceed to laying the final layer.

In the described material, the important question of how to level the concrete floor was considered. After studying it, you can implement such repairs in your own home without outside help.

From the author: hello dear reader! Many of us have long dreamed of repair, but do not dare to get down to business because of its high cost. But do not despair, all the work can be done with your own hands, practically without using a special tool. And if one is needed, then it can be freely taken for several hours from neighbors or work colleagues.

From this article you will learn how to level the concrete floor with your own hands in a short time without attracting a lot of money. We will share with you the secrets of real professionals, as well as warn you against making critical mistakes that can lead not only to repeated repairs, but also to repairs at your downstairs neighbors.

Why is this “alignment” necessary?

This operation is an integral part of any small repair. Unless, of course, you want to see wavy linoleum in your house or re-lay the laminate every year. This is done so that the finish coat lays down correctly and does not cause any problems for many years.

During the construction of some houses, no one thought about the evenness of the floors or walls - "done, holding on, well, okay." Modern life implies the availability of comfortable housing and its compliance with certain standards. To fit your home to these standards, you should start leveling, and only after that move on to the rest of the components.

What can be done to level a concrete floor? In practice, the following types of alignment are used:

• cement screed with reinforcement;
• cement screed with reinforcement with basalt fibers;
• logs with plywood, chipboard or boards;
• Self-leveling floors.

If you ask yourself which method to choose, then it is difficult to answer it unambiguously. It all depends on the specific situation and the goals you want to achieve. Below we will determine which option is suitable and for what.

Concrete screeds

Leveling cement screed with reinforcement- a simple and reliable method, is, so to speak, "grandfather" and has proven itself well for many decades. In terms of strength and reliability, it is not inferior to any other method, even despite the emergence of a huge number of new materials.

This coating is financially inexpensive and very easy to use. For its manufacture, only sand, cement, fittings and lighthouses are used. The average room usually takes no more than five bags of cement and fifteen bags of sand, this is if we make a "specific" five-centimeter base. It is possible to reduce the consumption of the solution by using but (broken brick, stones, crushed stone).

Great for a concrete floor in a garage. It will differ from the apartment method only in that it requires a coating of not 5 cm, as in apartments, but 7–10 cm in order to withstand the weight of heavy equipment. Although this method is the cheapest, it is not inferior in quality to all the others.

Screed with basalt fibers- this is the best way to level in an apartment or other place where a heavy-duty screed with excellent properties is required. Basalt fiber is an innovative material that gives cement simply breathtaking physical properties:

• in comparison with the use of reinforcement, the resistance to rupture is doubled, the possibility of cracking is excluded;
• the ability to compress and stretch is increased by forty percent;
• increases its fire resistance and frost resistance.

In general, you get a coupler for the ages. At the same time, the consumption of basalt fiber is extremely insignificant, only 1% by weight of cement. When kneading, for example, a solution of one to three, that is, one bag of cement and three bags of sand, you need to add only 0.5 kg of fiber. Perhaps the most reliable way is to align with beacons:

Self-leveling floors- one of the varieties of screed. It is distinguished by its simplicity and ease of use, does not require a layer of 5 cm and the installation of beacons. It is carried out with self-leveling mixtures, which, when solidified, turn into a solid and even base. The disadvantages of this technology is that it cannot be used if the difference in unevenness is more than 20 mm, the leveling range is from 5 to 20 mm. This option is the best for an apartment, especially if you do not have special skills in the construction industry.

Source: http://kuhnyamoya.ru

In this case, you need to do just a few simple steps:

1. We clean the old surface, remove and get rid of dust.
2. Treat with a deep penetration primer.
3. We perform waterproofing with roofing felt or bulk mixtures.
4. We lay out the reinforcing cage, lifting it 2–2.5 cm from the waterproofing. If we use basalt fiber, reinforcement is not required.
5. We expose the beacons on the strips of mortar with the addition of alabaster, using a hydraulic level.
6. Pour the solution, pull the screed along the beacons.
7. Wet thoroughly twice, every 4 hours. Cover with film.
8. After 4 days, remove the film and leave to dry for 20–25 days.

All the methods described above are great for leveling the floor under linoleum or laminate.

Lag Alignment

If we need to lay a warmer analogue of a concrete screed, or even insulate the floor, then this method is perfect. From any concrete coating will always breathe coolness, due to its poor capacitive properties to retain heat. But there is always a way!

Alignment with lags gives us the opportunity to get an air gap between the concrete base and the finish coating, which will create the effect of a thermos. And if you fill this layer with some kind of insulation, then the heat loss of the house will be minimized.

A flat floor is essential in any room. Laying various floor coverings is possible only on a smooth surface, in addition, due to unevenness and slope, there will certainly be problems with the installation of doors, furniture and equipment. That is why no major repair is complete without leveling the floor.

In apartments, offices, garages and even some private houses, the floor is based on concrete slabs. They are not even in themselves, and besides, they can lie with a slope, so it is customary to start repair work by leveling this concrete base. There are quite a few ways. The choice depends on the condition of the coverage, the magnitude of the differences and the wishes of the developer himself.

Before you start work, you need to prepare the base. This, by the way, will help determine the choice of alignment method.

1. if it has become unusable: knock down the detachment and individual bumps with a perforator. The smoother the base, the easier it will be to work with it.
2. After getting rid of cracks and significant protrusions, you need to take care of waterproofing. In the future, it is possible to use additional insulation, especially in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen, where there is constant contact with water. At the same time, the level of insulation is always higher than the level of the future floor. The remains of the film or other materials are cut off and hidden under the plinth at the end of the work.
3. By the way, the method of leveling the floor will depend on it. Differences of no more than 3 cm are successfully leveled with leveling solutions. With values ​​​​from 3 to 10 cm, it will be appropriate to make a cement-sand screed, and more serious irregularities are “treated” with dry bulk screeds or floor extensions.
4. , that is, the plane of the future floor. To do this, the highest point is found, and the minimum thickness of the selected screed is added to it. The height calculated in this way should be marked on the walls in the form of a line along which the beacons will subsequently be placed. It is best to carry out such measurements using a laser level.

This leveling method is good when you need to bring an almost flat floor to perfection. The height difference should not be more than 3 cm.

Video - Leveling the floor with self-leveling mixtures

Pros: the method is relatively inexpensive, easy to perform, does not require any special skills and special tools. The finished coating is durable, smooth and dries quickly. It does not need to be leveled, as the liquid spreads itself.

Cons: perhaps there are none, except for the fact that such mixtures cannot be used to level floors with a large height difference.

Process technology

1. , which will bind sand and dust particles to the surface and improve the adhesion of the fill and base. Another plus of the primer is that it reduces the moisture permeability of concrete, and this allows the screed layer to dry more slowly, and, accordingly, more evenly, preventing cracking.
2. which acts as a shock absorber.
3. Prepare the leveling mix. This is done exactly according to the manufacturer's instructions. You need to mix the solution with a drill with a mixer nozzle, manually the result will be worse. The liquid should be homogeneous, without lumps and clots.
4. Apply the mixture to the floor. If the room is large and you can’t fill it in one portion, you should start from the far corner. A liquid is spilled on the floor, which can be spread with a spatula to speed up the spreading process. Then the leveler layer is rolled with a spiked roller - this will help get rid of air.
   You need to do this work together: while one is leveling and rolling the mixture, the second is preparing the next portion. The solution begins to set after a few minutes, and you need to pour the floor at a time, so you need to work quickly.

The oldest and most popular way to achieve a flat floor. It allows you to smooth out height differences from 3 cm, but at the same time, the thickness of the screed itself must be at least 3 cm, otherwise the coating will not be strong enough. This alignment can be used for large rooms.

Pros: with the correct execution of all stages of work, you will get a strong, even screed that is suitable for any coating.

Cons: this method is the dirtiest, most time-consuming and longest of all, besides, it does not give the right to make a mistake - you have to redo everything again.

Process technology

This screed, with a large thickness, will have significant weight, therefore it is not recommended to do it with a height difference of more than 10 cm. However, for those who still chose it, there is a way out: the use of expanded clay. It can be added to the solution and put on the floor first with a mixture of expanded clay, and then spread a thin layer of the usual solution on top of it over the lighthouses.

The second method consists in laying out an expanded clay cushion, which is then poured with cement milk, dried and covered with a layer of mortar.

Both methods are good when you want to make a cement screed without creating a significant load on the floor slabs. There may be such a situation when the base has a significant slope, and the cement-sand fill will have not only significant weight, but also its uneven distribution, which is not very good for load-bearing structures.

The best way to level even the deepest holes and large slopes without overloading the base. Recommended when the height difference exceeds 10 cm.

Pros: such a screed is easy to do with your own hands, even without special skills, and you can take breaks in the process of work. The screed does not require drying time and will be ready as soon as the last sheet of coating is installed in its place. It is lightweight, insulates the finished floor and does not create dirt.

There are no disadvantages to such a screed, with the exception of perhaps a greater rise in the floor compared to the previous screed. The minimum thickness of the filler layer is from 3 cm, and the thickness of the rough coating sheets must be added to it.

Process technology

Leveling the floor with plywood along the logs

Pros: this method is most suitable for apartments on the first floors, since a layer of insulation can be placed between the lags. With this leveling, there is no dirt, moreover, it does not require time to dry and will be ready for use immediately.

Cons: the method is quite time consuming, and also significantly raises the floor. In apartments with low ceilings, this will narrow the space.

Video - Leveling the floor with plywood along the logs

Process technology

Leveling the concrete floor is mandatory for all rooms where it is necessary to get rid of the slope and irregularities. Depending on the wishes of the developer, the available materials and the condition of the floor, you can choose the best way. All available options are quite accessible to anyone who wants to do such work on their own, and the efforts will pay off with a durable and beautiful floor.

With a major overhaul or partial finishing of the premises, it is impossible to do without leveling the concrete floor. This is one of the prerequisites for the installation of linoleum, laminate and other similar materials. If the preparation of the plane is not performed, the final result of the finish is unlikely to please its owner.

Even in new buildings, often the concrete floor is not perfectly even. The most problematic areas are the joints. In old houses, the floor surface is often in a deplorable state. If the concrete has not been subjected to special treatment, then over time it begins to dust, crumble, chips and cracks appear on it. Many owners are faced with the question of how to level the concrete floor correctly?

Reasons for leveling a concrete floor:

• the installation technique of many types of flooring requires mandatory surface preparation (linoleum, parquet, laminate, tile);
• elimination of construction defects on concrete slabs: cracks, chips, differences between slabs, unsuccessful joints;
• installation of sound, heat, waterproofing material;
• strengthening the strength and rigidity of load-bearing floors;
• uneven surface complicates the arrangement of furniture and interior.

How to prepare for alignment

Before you level the concrete floor and stop with the choice of technology and materials to eliminate irregularities and defects with your own hands, it is necessary to determine the nature and scope of the work, as well as how strong the deviation from the norm and the angle of inclination. Then appropriate measurements are taken. To do this, the old coating is first disassembled. After that, an assessment of irregularities is carried out.

The building level checks the entire surface of the floor. First of all, the highest point is determined, which should be noted immediately. Then you need to examine the defects of concrete slabs: worn areas, chips, cracks. The deepest point is also recommended to be noted.

Properly made measurements will prevent errors in the process of further alignment.

If you do the work without determining these points or make incorrect measurements, then there may be consequences that are difficult to fix: the doors will stop closing, the height of the floor may interfere with the heating, linoleum and other coatings will not lie flat. Eliminating such errors is very difficult and will take a lot of time.

Alignment methods

Installation of concrete pavement is the very first thing that is started during the overhaul of the premises. The quality of the rest of the finishing work depends on the evenness of the floor.

There are two main technologies:

• beacon alignment;
• filling surface device.

If the room is small and the angle of inclination of the plane does not exceed 3.5 cm, then the most appropriate way would be to install a self-leveling floor. If this indicator is exceeded, the technology for leveling concrete slabs will be carried out according to the exposed beacons.

When choosing one of the methods, it is important to understand that each option for eliminating irregularities has both its advantages and disadvantages, so you should carefully study the execution technique and weigh the pros and cons.

The use of this technology allows you to do the work yourself even to someone who is not a professional in the field of decoration. The method is well suited for implementation in large rooms.

First, special beacons, which are metal slats, are laid and fixed on concrete slabs. These are some kind of guidelines that serve to properly perform work on the surface screed.

The entire alignment process is cost-effective and fast. With minimal investment, it allows you to get a quality product. The installation itself is carried out in a short period of time, but it takes an average of 10 to 30 days for the surface to harden. The drying time of the screed depends on the thickness of the applied layer and the temperature regime inside the room. If you are short on time, we recommend choosing another method.

What do you need to work

Tools for performing concrete floor screed:

• vacuum cleaner or broom for surface preparation;
• Master OK;
• perforated corners;
• rule;
• building level;
• large container for mixing solution.

Surface preparation, installation of beacons

Before performing any construction work, an important point is the preparatory stage. The entire surface is carefully swept or vacuumed. Accumulated debris, dust and dirt must be removed.

After that, beacons are installed, which are perforated metal corners. They are placed along the width of the entire room. The first and final beacons are installed at a distance of 30 cm from the side walls. The remaining elements are placed at the same distance from each other. It should not be more than 1 meter.

Installation is carried out in the following sequence. First, the markup is done. Beacons are installed along the lines, they are attached to cement or plaster. All this is controlled by the building level. The design is left to dry.

After the metal slats have seized, all the space remaining under them is filled with cement mortar. At this time, it is possible to correct the position of the beacons, correct them.

The main task is to make the surface as flat as possible. Everything must be left to fix the elements.

After everything dries, work should begin on leveling the resulting plane.

fill

To perform the screed, a cement mortar is prepared. The consistency of the material should resemble outwardly thick sour cream. If you mix a steeper solution, it will be difficult to level it well with your own hands. Too liquid mixture seizes for a long time, such a surface will not have increased strength characteristics.

Leveling work should be carried out from the farthest point towards the exit. Usually filling occurs in rows. The first and second are filled at the same time. After them turn behind the last two rows. Then further work is done one strip from each edge. The end should be on the center path. This row is aligned especially neatly. The material fills the structure in small portions at a distance no further than the outstretched arm.

The resulting solution is poured into the distance between two linear beacons. With the help of a trowel, all hard-to-reach areas are filled. After pouring each strip on the beacons, a rule is established, which is carried out several times to level the floor surface.

In the process of work, do not forget about the periodic mixing of the product, this will ensure a uniform distribution of the material for its best drying. Only after complete hardening, you can proceed to the subsequent finishing of the floor. Linoleum will fit perfectly on a flat floor.

The self-leveling floor device is the most modern and easiest way to prepare the floor for linoleum or laminate flooring. To obtain a flat surface, special building mixtures are used. They are developed using a special technology that allows the material to self-align. It is enough to pour it on a concrete base, let it dry, and the base for linoleum is ready.

The mixture has specific characteristics. It spreads over the surface of the floor in a thin even layer.

Tools for using leveling mortars:

• vacuum cleaner or other items for cleaning concrete slabs;
• foam roller;
• needle roller.

Work order

The entire surface is pre-cleaned. After that, it is treated with a soil substance. Then, according to the instructions, the finished powder of the self-leveling mixture is diluted, which is simply poured onto the floor.

To help the product spread evenly over the surface and eliminate air bubbles in the product, a spiked roller should be used. They should go in all directions. The work is carried out in special shoes with spikes, which will not allow you to step on the flooded floor.

The material dries in a few hours, after which you can immediately proceed to further finishing the room. The disadvantage of such a mixture is that the maximum allowable thickness should not be more than that specified by the manufacturer (usually no more than 10 cm, often much less). If the surface has a larger slope, then leveling the concrete floor in this way is not possible.

New modern materials appear in the construction industry almost daily, but an equivalent replacement for the cement-sand mixture for leveling the floor has not yet been found. At a budget level of cost, this material, laid according to technology, gives high strength and a flat surface. Therefore, floor screed with cement mortar is invariably popular both among professional builders and among home craftsmen who practice do-it-yourself repair work. Almost any floor covering can be laid on a surface leveled in this classic way.

We calculate the amount of materials

Cement is a relatively inexpensive material; floor leveling, especially done by hand, will not require large financial investments. In any case, before starting the repair, it is required to calculate the amount of materials needed for it. First of all, we will measure the level of our irregularities, determine their highest and lowest points. The difference between them will be the maximum height to which the concrete floor needs to be leveled. , or simply the thickness of the screed. This value is necessary so that you can determine the total volume of the mixture.

We calculate the required volume of the mixture by multiplying the thickness of the screed by the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. The further calculation is extremely simple: it is enough to know that 490 kg of M400 cement is used per 1 m 3 of the M200 cement-sand mixture, and 3 parts of sand and 0.5 parts of water fall on 1 part of cement. To the amount of cement obtained as a result of the calculation, let's add 1 extra bag to be sure, in order to protect ourselves from surprises. You can also make calculations using our.

Tools required for the tie device

To fill the floor with your own hands, you will need tools and equipment that are usually available in the household. If anything from the list below is missing, be sure to purchase or rent. All these tools are necessary for fast and high-quality work:

• building level and rule;
• perforated corners used as beacons;
• spatula and trowel;
• electric drill or construction mixer;
• container for cement mortar.

Well, if it is possible to rent a construction vacuum cleaner, it will help to qualitatively prepare the surface for pouring. To move around the freshly poured floor without leaving marks, they buy special shoes with spikes - the so-called paint shoes.

Preparing to pour the concrete base

Remove the old coating from the concrete surface, thoroughly clean it from dust and dirt. Sweep with a regular broom or use a construction vacuum cleaner. If the destruction process has led to the appearance of cracks, be sure to putty them. The next step is to prime the concrete surface. This work is carried out for optimal adhesion of old and fresh compositions. The time for complete drying of the primer is 24 hours. Exactly one day later, you can begin to install the corners.

Beacons for leveling the screed

At a distance of 0.3 m from the wall, the first perforated corner is exposed. To carry out the installation as accurately as possible, use the building level. To fix the position of the beacon, it is laid on a cement mortar, dotted along the installation line with a step of 0.5 m. Absolutely the same work is done at the opposite wall. After installing two beacons between them in parallel and evenly distribute the rest, given that the distance between them should not exceed 1 m.

Filling with cement-sand mixture

Place cement and sand in a special container, mix by hand in a dry form, add the calculated amount of water and mix thoroughly again with a mixer. Pay attention to the consistency of the solution, it should look like thick sour cream. A more liquid solution will certainly crack when dried, a hard one is extremely inconvenient to use, it is problematic to align it qualitatively.

Start leveling the floor from the far corner of the room, pour the mortar between the two perforated corners evenly and carefully level it with a trowel. This procedure helps to get rid of air bubbles with which the mixture is saturated. When the space is completely filled with cement mortar, smooth it out with the rule flush with the beacons and move on to the next sector.

Fill in the areas between the corners in sequence. Remember, concrete floor leveling work must be done quickly and non-stop to prevent cold joints. Such base defects significantly affect the final strength of the finished screed. Maintain a constant temperature in the room. It should not be lower than + 5 ° C; in the cold, concrete loses its properties.

Dry floors properly

Intense heat adversely affects the quality of the floor screed. With rapid drying, it becomes covered with cracks. Try not to fill in the summer heat, the ideal temperature for high-quality solidification of the poured base is + 20-25 ° C. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and irrigate for the first three days after pouring. The term of full readiness for operation is determined depending on the thickness of the leveling layer:

• 10 mm - 1 week;
• 40 mm - a month later;
• 70 mm - after 78 days;
• 80 mm - after 108 days.

As a result, it receives a solid and fairly even base, which is quite enough for laying ceramic tiles. Without finishing, it is used in utility rooms, garages and basements.

We prepare the base for different types of coatings

Often, floor leveling is done for laying floor coverings on it that require a perfectly even base: laminate, or linoleum. In this case, it is required to additionally level the concrete halfway through grinding the surface layer with special machines. If you want to get a perfectly flat decorative floor, use a polymer bulk coating of epoxy resins. Even thin screed epoxy floors, along with the perfect leveling of the subfloor, strengthen it, increase its resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage, and increase its service life.

New floor leveling methods

The quality of the base obtained by leveling concrete floors with a cement-sand mixture has been appreciated by generations of builders. Unfortunately, this method has one significant drawback that does not allow it to be used in all cases of life. If repairs are required as soon as possible, this method is not applicable due to the prolonged drying of the screed. Today, thanks to the development of innovative materials, this problem is easily solved.