• Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
    • DIY & self build
    • Pets
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Home & garden
  • News
  • Community
Facebook Twitter Instagram
lets-do-diy.com
  • Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
    • DIY & self build
    • Pets
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Home & garden
  • News
  • Community
lets-do-diy.com
You are at:Home»Projects and advice»Applying a self-levelling compound to a concrete floor

Applying a self-levelling compound to a concrete floor

LAST UPDATED: 7th January 2023 by The Editorial Team

Applying a self-levelling compound to a concrete floor

Summary: Step by step guide and video showing how to apply a self-levelling compound to a concrete floor.

Contents

  • Applying a self-levelling compound
    • Preparation
    • Applying the compound
    • Tools needed
    • Materials needed
  • How to level a concrete floor video – part 1
  • How to level a concrete floor video – part 2

    Applying a self-levelling compound

    If you want to fit any form of floor covering to a concrete floor with a rough surface, the only practical subfloor is a self-levelling compound. This is a latex-based compound that provides a very smooth finish but, despite its name, it will need some degree of levelling with a plastering trowel. Laying this form of subfloor will raise the floor slightly, so the bottom of any doors opening into the room may need to be trimmed.


    Preparation

    • Thoroughly clean the floor, removing any loose debris and as much dust as possible.
    • Remove any previous bitumen-based layer or old tile adhesive.
    • A dusty floor surface needs to be primed with a PVA solution: mix 4 parts water and 1 part PVA.
    • Using a wide paintbrush apply the PVA solution over the floor’s surface.
    • To prevent the smoothing compound seeping into the adjoining room or rooms, fix a threshold strip across any doorways.

    Starting at a corner, smooth the plaster evenly over the floor.

    Applying the compound

    • When the floor is dry, mix the compound according to the manufacturer’s instructions in a clean bucket to avoid contamination. A power stirrer is ideal for stirring as it prevents too much air getting into the mix.
    • Pour some of the compound onto the floor at your chosen starting point, usually one of the farthest corners of the room.
    • Use a plastering trowel to smooth the compound evenly over the floor. The compound should be about 5mm (1/5in) thick, although this will depend on how uneven the existing floor is. Ensure all indentations are filled and any high spots are levelled.
    • Continue to mix and spread the compound until the whole floor is covered, tying each new section into the damp edges of the sections you have already laid. Self-levelling compound only remains workable for about 30 minutes so you will need to work quickly.
    • Allow the compound to dry overnight. The following day use a medium grade sandpaper block to smooth away any ridges caused by the trowelling.

    Tools needed

    • Plastering trowel
    • Power stirrer
    • Sledge hammer
    • Compacting plate
    • Float

    Materials needed

    • Self-leveling compound
    • PVA
    • Threshold strip
    • Medium grade sandpaper

    How to level a concrete floor video – part 1


    How to level a concrete floor video – part 2


    Author

    The Editorial Team

    The Editorial Team at lets-do-diy.com are a team of experts led by Mark Wilson. We have been creating DIY projects, articles, costs guides and product reviews since 2008. For more info see our about page.

    Related projects

    • Concrete crack repair
    • How to paint concrete
    • Sealing concrete
    • How to lay laminate flooring
    • Laying a plywood subfloor
    • Laying ceramic floor tiles

    Recent Comments
    • Ted on Product Review: Erbauer ERO400 125mm electric random orbital sander
    • Vic on Is Christmas a good time for DIY?
    • Anonymous on Average air source heat pump cost (2022)
    • Reggie on Prepare your home for moth season
    Latest News
    1

    Product Review: Erbauer ERO400 125mm electric random orbital sander

    0

    Product Review: DeWalt DCF787 brushless cordless impact driver

    0

    The UK’s ambitious drive towards energy efficiency – Exploring the pros and cons of heat pump systems

    0

    Potential DIY home improvement trends for 2023

    Popular Guides

    Average cost of a porch

    Average cost to change a lock

    Average cost of double glazing windows

    Average dishwasher installation cost

    Popular Projects

    How to replace a bath

    Plasterboarding a ceiling

    Simple tips and ideas for decorating a child’s bedroom

    Cleaning shower curtain or door

    DIY Categories
    Bathroom
    Building, brickwork and masonry
    Ceilings
    Cleaning
    Concrete work
    Damp, rot and infestation
    Drains
    Electrical
    Fireplaces
    Floors
    Garden
    Heating
    Insulation
    Kitchen
    Lighting
    Lofts
    Painting and decorating
    Plasterwork
    Plumbing
    Roof and guttering
    Safety
    Security
    Tiling
    Walls
    Windows
    Woodwork

    Self Build Guide
    How to find a building plot
    Evaluating a building plot (2023)
    How to get a self build mortgage
    Self build construction options
    Self build architect and design considerations (2023)
    Self build planning permission and legal consents
    © 2023 lets do diy ltd | ebuild | Partner site:talkcosts.co.uk
    • Home
    • About
    • Contact us

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.