Level wooden floors with a self-leveling concrete compound before a flooring installation.
Using a self-leveling concrete compound on an uneven wooden sub-floor provides an effective way to prepare for your new floor covering. All tile products benefit from installation on an even sub-floor, which helps produce a quality finish that retains both durability and aesthetics. Self-leveling concrete requires both preparation and the correct application to create a successful result. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Sweep the wooden sub-floor with a push broom to remove all loose debris. Clean up any traces of dirt from the wood using a degreaser and a damp cloth.
2. Check that all floor boards are firmly attach to the floor joists in order to reduce flex or bounce in the sub-floor. Use flooring nails and a hammer to fasten the wooden boards at regular intervals. Commonly, fasten boards every 6 inches along floor joists to create a secure sub-floor.
3. Read the self-leveling concrete compound directions to determine whether a second level of plywood is required to further reduce sub-floor flexibility. Install the grade of plywood that the leveling compound manufacturer recommends.
4. Brush latex floor primer evenly over the wooden sub-floor with a clean paint roller. Allow the primer to dry according to the manufacturer's directions. Usually, this will take about two hours.
5. Use a carpenter's level on the subfloor to determine where the wooden surface is uneven. Mark the uneven areas with a pen to quickly recognize where you need to pour the self-leveling compound.
6. Mix up the self-leveling concrete according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use a clean bucket and add the water first, before the dry powder. Mix the compound using an electric drill with a mixing paddle or hook attachment. The mixture should have a very wet, almost soup-like consistency.
7. Pour the self-leveling concrete mixture over the floor, following your marks. Wait approximately 2 minutes to allow the concrete to level. Feather the concrete edges out and over the adjacent wood using a trowel to create a smooth and even transition.
8. Allow the self-leveling concrete to completely cure before installing your final floor covering. Read the manufacturer's guidelines for the cure time, which can vary from hours to days between different products.
Tags: self-leveling concrete, concrete compound, self-leveling concrete compound, wooden sub-floor, according manufacturer, floor covering, floor joists
