Learn about the issues you can run into when working with self-leveling concrete compounds.
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On the surface, self-leveling concrete seems like an easy and convenient solution to uneven floors, but the truth is, it&#;s not always so straightforward.
Self-leveling concrete, sometimes called &#;self-leveling underlayment&#;, is most commonly used to fill dips and uneven areas on the surface of the concrete in preparation for installing new flooring on top, but in some cases, it can be used as a standalone floor itself.
Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, our goal is to give you the resources you need to make the best decisions regarding your concrete as possible. With that in mind, we&#;ve written this article to give you a look at four problems you may face if you decide to use self-leveling concrete.
Related Resource: 4 Ways To Fix Uneven Concrete
1. Cracking and Crumbling
One of the main concerns that come with self-leveling concrete is its tendency to crack or crumble. This can be caused by a few different factors, but the main ones are poor bonding between the concrete itself and the newly-poured compound, and movement of the concrete slab.
Proper Preparation
If the self-leveling compound is poured onto a concrete surface that has not been properly prepared, it will not be able to fully bond to it, and will instead cure as a layer separate from the slab, which will be prone to chipping away from the surface or crumbling. Each self-leveling compound comes with different prep requirements, like adding primer or grinding the surface, for example.
Concrete Movement
By nature, concrete slabs move and shift as the ground underneath them settles or erodes. If a thin layer of material is cured on top of slabs that are moving, even if it is gradual movement, it can begin to crack or crumble over time.
Existing Cracks and Breaks
We have also found that if there are preexisting cracks or expansion joints in the area where the self-leveling compound is being added, this is where it will most likely crack, because the concrete below it is expanding and contracting in these areas.
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2. Difficult for DIYers
Another problem that commonly plagues people looking for smooth surfaces with self-leveling concrete is the fact that it&#;s not ideal for DIY projects.
Although a self-leveling compound will come with specific instructions for its use, due to the difficult-to-perfect nature of the compound, it is not ideal for beginners or DIYers who don&#;t have prior experience with it.
Hard To Get Mix Right
Self-leveling concrete is hard to mix, as it requires exact measurements with little room for error. If there is too much water in the mixture, it can be overly runny and not set correctly. If there isn&#;t enough water, it won&#;t be able to adequately level itself.
Temperature and Humidity Considerations
Self-leveling concrete is most ideally used indoors because there are more consistent temperatures, which helps with bonding and helps the compound from chipping off as a result of freeze-thaw cycles.
However, even inside, a temperature that&#;s too hot or too cold or the amount of humidity in the room can also affect how well the product cures.
3. Short Working Window
For most self-leveling compounds, a big benefit to using them is their quick drying times. Instead of waiting days for the new, level surface to cure before installing flooring on top, many self-leveling compounds are ready for use within a few hours of application.
While this is definitely a plus, it brings a challenge, as well. Because of its quick-drying nature, there is less time available for actually working with the product.
Working Time
Once the water is mixed in, you have to pour and spread the compound almost immediately, as it&#;s common for self-leveling concrete to have a working window of around 20 minutes. This gives little time for correcting errors or smoothing out any tricky areas.
4. Underlying Issues Aren&#;t Fixed
It&#;s also important to mention that self-leveling concrete may seem like a complete solution because it masks any issues you have with your concrete, but it is only a superficial layer on top of the existing problems.
Worsening Damage
Settling slabs or cracks in the concrete don&#;t go away when self-leveling concrete is applied to the surface, and will likely continue to worsen over time. This is bad news for the self-leveling concrete, as it will deteriorate along with the problematic concrete it&#;s applied to.
Diagnose and Solve Issues Before Beginning
Before a self-leveling compound is applied, it&#;s crucial to check the concrete for any underlying issues that can be fixed beforehand, as cracks and other deterioration can make it far more likely that the self-leveling concrete will crack, chip, or break down over time.
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Your Next Steps
Now that you know some of the problems associated with self-leveling concrete, you&#;re more equipped to decide whether or not it&#;s an option you&#;d like to explore for your home.
However, before you get started, we recommend that you check out this resource: 4 Ways To Fix Uneven Concrete
Depending on the specific problem you're facing and the cause of the uneven concrete, one of the solutions discussed there may be a better solution for you.
How to Fix a Self Leveling Compound Job Gone Bad
To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.
Self leveling compound sounds like it would do an entire job for you, making just about everyone assume that it is easy to use. What ends up happening most of the time is that someone begins to tackle a project that they aren't ready for, and the result is a disaster. If you have a self leveling job gone bad to deal with, follow the tips below to fix matters.
*Note that not all the materials may be used for your particular job.
Step 1 - Assess the Problem
You need to figure out what kind of issue you're dealing with. If the compound is too soft to where you can make a fingernail mark in it, you will need to remove it all and start over. Otherwise, you will not have a steady surface to work with. If there are non-level areas of the floor, you may be able to sand it down. Worse comes to worse, just remove and start fresh.
Step 2 - Prepare Yourself and the Floor
When you sand or remove the self leveling compound, you'll find a lot of fine dust flying around. Protect yourself from inhalation by putting on your face mask, gloves, and goggles. Also spray some water on the floor so the dust is heavy and will be less likely to float in the air.
Step 3 - Remove the Bad Compound
If you are looking to just get rid of some not-so-level parts of the compound, try lightly chiseling them to be almost level with the ground. Then use an orbital sander or something similar to try to get it down. It may also be okay to make a slight valley in the old compound that you can fill with new compound once finished.
If you have to remove all of the compound, try breaking up as much of it as possible with a hammer and then pick off the remains with a paint scraper. If more heavy duty tools are necessary, respond accordingly. Get rid of as much of the compound as you possibly can.
Remember to spray everything down with water from time to time to prevent dust. Wear safety goggles and a face mask while sanding to keep particles out of your body.
Step 4 - Mix the New Compound
Follow the instructions on the self leveling compound very strictly. Most people have issues in the first place because they did not mix their compound properly. In the end, you should have something that looks like thin milk. You'll need to move quickly after this, so be ready.
Step 5 - Use the Compound
Again, follow the instructions for your mixture to fill in either the valleys you made in the old compound or the spot where the compound was. Allow a day for the product to dry completely. Then check to see if you have yet another job gone bad, or if you solved your own problem.
Step 6 - Your Last Option
If the job just seems like too much to actually do yourself, don't hesitate to call in a professional. Knowing your own limitations is often the biggest part of a job.
Fix a Self Leveling Compound FAQ
How do you fix self-leveling concrete?
If self-leveling concrete is uneven, patchy, or otherwise unacceptable, the easiest way to fix it is to add another layer of self-leveling compound that will set evenly.
What happens if you add too much water to self-leveling compound?
When too much water is added to the self-leveling compound, the material will be weakened. It will be more prone to cracking and disbonding, so it will be noticeably cracked, chipped, or damaged.
Sometimes, a white film may also appear on the surface of the concrete.
Can you add another layer of self-leveling compound?
You can place additional layers of self-leveling compound onto existing layers if you like. You will need to prime the compound before applying the new layer.
Can leveling compound be removed?
Leveling compound can be removed but it will take some work. You will need to grind it down, scrape it, and break it up with a sledgehammer at times.
How long does it take for self-leveling compound to set?
You should wait at least 24 hours after it has been applied before walking on self-leveling compound.
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