Concrete floor
Concrete is a building material made of Portland cement, gravel and water. It's commonly used to for floors, walls and structural components. While this material is long-lasting and durable, it can sustain some damage over time due to environmental conditions and impacts from falling objects. In addition, inexperienced installers can cause concrete to be uneven and produce poor results. Fortunately, all of these problems can be addressed with the use of self-leveling concrete, a liquid topping layer that hardens to cover the entire floor surface. This material can fix uneven areas, cover spalling sections and even fill small holes, leaving the floor looking smooth and new. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Use a Portland cement mixture to patch any larger holes in the floor before you begin. Mix the cement with a small amount of water, then use a trowel to fill any holes or cracks. Smooth away any excess material and allow the patches to dry before proceeding.
2. Use an expansion tape to build a dam around the room's perimeter. The expansion tape should go right at the baseboards, providing a joint between the wall and the floor topper you will be pouring.
3. Use duct tape to protect any receptacles, vents or other objects that could be affected by the concrete.
4. Mix your concrete with water. Use a drill with a paddle bit to blend the self-leveling compound according to the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Pour the concrete mixture in 1-foot wide strips across the entire length of the floor. Use your concrete rake to spread the mixture if necessary, and use a trowel to push the concrete into any tight spaces. True to its name, the self-leveling concrete will spread evenly across the surface due to gravity.
6. Wait 48 hours for the mixture to dry, then apply a concrete sealer across the entire surface using a paint roller. This will give the concrete a slight sheen and protect it from moisture.
Tags: across entire, expansion tape, Portland cement, self-leveling concrete, your concrete
