Build a stronger foundation.
According to recent resources, self-leveling concrete is a vital product that ensures a smooth and durable surface for various flooring applications. It not only improves the aesthetics of a space but also enhances safety standards by minimizing trip hazards.
As a contractor, you'll understand that high-quality epoxy resin floors start from solid concrete foundations. If the concrete is too worn, or there's unevenness, or moisture, epoxy systems can fail. But fear not! There are effective ways to remedy concrete issues, such as using self-leveling concrete. Uneven surfaces, often caused by irregular ground or poor installation, can lead to significant flooring problems. Mastering concrete leveling is crucial for any flooring business that works with concrete.
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This guide explores the importance of mastering concrete leveling, covering why it's necessary, recommended equipment, and step-by-step techniques for effectively installing self-leveling concrete to ensure your flooring projects last.
Why Do I Need Level Concrete?
Concrete leveling is not merely a preparatory step; it is a fundamental necessity. Installing any flooring system—from polished concrete to epoxy—on uneven concrete can lead to system failures, safety hazards, and expose you to unnecessary liabilities, as noted by Coxwell Law.
The need for level concrete should be evident. Yet, many contractors overlook this critical evaluation of their concrete foundations before proceeding with epoxy resin installations. Fortunately, with the use of self-leveling concrete, achieving level surfaces can be a hassle-free endeavor.
Safety, Efficiency, and Aesthetic Concerns
An uneven floor poses a significant safety risk. Both foot and vehicle traffic depend on leveled surfaces for safe passage; otherwise, potential accidents may occur. Moreover, an uneven concrete foundation compromises the safety of your contractors.
Beyond safety concerns, the visual appeal of the finished floor suffers when the surface lacks proper leveling. Clients expect your business to deliver both safe and aesthetically pleasing floors. Ensure you meet those expectations!
What Do I Need To Level Concrete?
To successfully level concrete, having the right tools is essential. Here are recommended resources for an effective leveling project:
How Do I Level Concrete?
Step One: Identify Low Spots
Survey the concrete floor and pinpoint areas that are lower than the surrounding surface. These low areas warrant your main focus. Inspect the surface visually or use a larger level for accurate measurement. Recognizing the problem before attempting to fix it is crucial—it informs you about the necessary grinding or the amount of self-leveling solution you need to apply.
If your floor is uneven due to some higher spots rather than low ones, your approach might not even involve self-leveling concrete. You may need to grind down those high areas. For smaller discrepancies, a simple angle grinder could suffice, but investing in a larger industrial-grade floor grinder is generally beneficial for flooring companies.
Step Two: Apply Self-Leveling Compound
After identifying the low spots, apply a self-leveling compound using a trowel or squeegee. Ensure that you spread the compound evenly over the low areas for a smooth finish. While the compound is designed to level itself, careful application is essential. Be mindful not to apply an excess or insufficient amount.
Don’t rush this step! Hurrying through it can result in more work later. If you find later that you applied too little solution, you’ll have to wait for it to dry again after reapplying. Conversely, applying too much will force you to grind it down.
Step Three: Allow the Self-Leveling Concrete Solution to Dry
Allow the self-leveling compound to dry, typically within 24 hours. During this period, the compound will settle and spread, effectively filling the low spots on your floor.
This step is the simplest, but also the most time-consuming aspect of the leveling process. Patience is key. The concrete must be fully cured and dried before proceeding with any epoxy solution application or polishing.
Step Four: (OPTIONAL) Grind the Concrete Until Level
If unevenness persists after applying the compound, consider utilizing a grinder to smooth out any high spots for a uniform surface.
Use your level! Conduct thorough checks to ensure your floor is consistently level throughout. Investigate any irregularities, whether they be high or low.
Step Five: Seal or Install
Once you achieve a level concrete surface, you may either seal it with a concrete sealant for added protection or apply an epoxy flooring system! We have guides available on our blog to assist you with different concrete flooring systems.
Conclusion
Having level concrete is crucial for any flooring system. Strong foundations are essential for your floors' longevity. This comprehensive guide should aid in preventing potential flooring failures and ultimately save you time and money in your projects! Whether you’re dealing with polished concrete or epoxy floors, starting with a solid foundation is key to success.
Follow our blog to learn more about working with epoxy and concrete floors. Through Xtreme Polishing Systems, you can access a plethora of tools, solutions, and resources essential for effective concrete leveling.
Learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly of concrete leveling, and find out whether it's a method worth exploring for your sinking concrete.
If your property is riddled with trip hazards and unsightly settled concrete, having it professionally leveled may be an excellent option for you. However, concrete leveling is not the sole method available, so it's crucial to evaluate each option before committing to one.
At A-1 Concrete Leveling, we have specialized in our proprietary limestone slurry concrete leveling process for over 30 years, in addition to performing foam leveling repairs when necessary.
While we believe concrete leveling is an excellent solution that saves our customers a substantial amount of money, we also strive for transparency regarding its advantages and disadvantages.
For further details, please visit Self-Leveling Compound Manufacturer.
This led us to compile a list of some pros and cons of concrete leveling. After reading, you'll have a better understanding to determine whether professional concrete leveling is worth considering for your home.
Concrete Leveling Pros & Cons Overview
The table below provides a summary of the pros & cons of concrete leveling, with detailed discussions following.
Pros
Cons
- Breaks don’t completely disappear
- Outcomes can be unpredictable
- Only as good as the ground it rests on
The Pros of Concrete Leveling
Here are the top four advantages of all types of concrete leveling:
One of the most significant benefits of concrete leveling lies in its affordability compared to full replacement. As long as your concrete slab isn’t crumbling, it can likely be revived with leveling at a fraction of the cost of replacement.
On average, concrete leveling can help save you up to 70% of the replacement costs.
Most concrete leveling teams can complete their work in less than a day. Rather than spending weeks demolishing existing structures and waiting for new concrete to cure, you can put your newly leveled concrete to use in just a few hours.
Finding a trustworthy and experienced concrete leveling contractor is quite simple. A-1 Concrete Leveling has franchises in nearly 50 metropolitan areas, ensuring you can get service promptly.
Moreover, it’s far more convenient to have a truck parked in your driveway for a brief period during repairs than it is to deal with a lengthy replacement process.
Other repair methods, such as concrete replacement, hinder the ability to synchronize new materials with existing concrete slabs, resulting in stark differences. Notably, concrete leveling keeps your original slabs intact, preserving a uniform appearance across all surfaces.
The Cons of Concrete Leveling
Here are the top three disadvantages of concrete leveling:
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Breaks don’t completely disappear
Given that concrete leveling merely adjusts the position of existing concrete without altering its structure, the cracks and breaks that already exist will remain. Sometimes these cracks may become larger or smaller, depending on the circumstances surrounding the repair.
Fortunately, these fissures can be filled with a polymer caulk to mitigate further damage from freeze-thaw cycles and water erosion.
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Outcomes can be unpredictable
While every repair job has its variances, predicting the outcome of a concrete leveling project can often prove challenging due to various unknown factors that may arise only when the repair is in progress.
Fortunately, an experienced concrete leveling team will understand how to navigate potential obstacles.
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Only as good as the ground it rests on
Much like concrete replacement, concrete leveling depends on the underlying soil's quality to ensure a reliable repair. If the substrate lacks strength, issues may persist, and settling can recur over time.
This emphasizes the importance of hiring a knowledgeable and experienced concrete leveling crew. While perfection can never be guaranteed, seasoned teams are trained to anticipate potential complications.
Summary
Lifting your settled and sunken concrete with professional leveling services can save significant time, hassle, and costs. With all the advantages highlighted above, it's an excellent solution for many homeowners who seek effective and efficient results.
Nonetheless, it is essential to be mindful of the potential drawbacks associated with concrete leveling as you consider whether or not this repair method is a suitable option for you.
Contact A-1 Concrete Leveling
If you've evaluated the pros and cons of concrete leveling and feel it's the right choice for your situation, then it's time to reach out to a concrete leveling specialist.
A-1 Concrete Leveling has honed the art of concrete leveling for over 30 years and is eager to provide repair and maintenance services to both new and returning clients alike.
When you're ready to take the next step, click the link below to request a free onsite cost estimate with one of our concrete repair experts today!
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