How to use self-leveling on large floor areas

In this video we show how to level the floor with the self-leveling cement. For this project we used 27 bags of self-leveling cement to cover 430sqft (40m2) of floor with thickness of 3/8" to 1/2" (9 to 12 mm).
For more information on available products and services please visit our website www.polmaster.com or visit our showroom in Mississauga, ON at 6215 Kennedy Rd.
music by Jason [e-mail]

[@JayZoop]

Thanks for the basic demo. I've seen professionals take it farther with laser level, depth tri-pods, and spiked rollers to break surface tension and make it all smooth as glass.

[@misiokinsale]

Spike roller is not for breaking any tension.

[@JayZoop]

@@misiokinsale It lets air bubbles out, and it flattens the leveling compound out, especially where the two pours meet that are of different consistencies.

[@Robguru]

It's also a good practice to use cleats or spiked shoes and use 1/4 in foam strips along the walls to allow for expansion/contraction especially in areas where more leveler is being used.

[@MarcelHVAC]

Go metric sonny boy

[@levthelion]

You're saying concrete expands and contracts like wood?

[@arcraider937]

They make special rollers for this application , it even helps remove air bubbles.

[@AdrianWareBPP-Poet]

I remember when I use to work with self leveler. I can definitely say I mastered it and was getting paid wonderfully. it's easy to mix and install, I love it

[@chapothakid5080]

I've done this a few times but Idk how to price it correctly.. would u be so kind as to give me some pointers on that please?

[@AdrianWareBPP-Poet]

@@chapothakid5080 The best way to charge for self leveler is to charge by the foot. But you have to keep in mind that it is way more expensive than regular concrete so you might want to charge some where around $11per sq ft.

[@chapothakid5080]

Thanks for responding... I usually charge for the labor and have them buy the material..

[@HyperInflation2020]

@@chapothakid5080 It's easy. Charge a lot.

[@williampurvis3927]

With that information if I accept about 20 similar job descriptions, I just might make up for bid mistake,s of the past.it appears effortless.very deciving. Thanks a million.it has now become a direct challenge! Takein no prisoners!

[@AngliaDecor]

Great job Polmaster! Why are there so many negative comments, KZbin is full of hate.

[@marcopoulin1897]

Anglia Decor Ltd - Painting Contractor right when you dont know what you doing as him🤘

[@spedc]

Yeah, a little verbalization would help. What tools are you using? What ratio of water to powder are you using? You know, kinda important stuff.

[@doowm270]

Should have shown dry finished floor at the end.

[@ahmedvincent8026]

@Eric Hugh yea, have been watching on InstaFlixxer for years myself :)

[@alexmurdoch4952]

Glad I got to watch you fill water for a full minute lol

[@markmcc78]

Awesome videos! I love the little dumping bucket for the mud.

[@PolmasterTile]

+Mark McCormick Thanks Mark.

[@AROM0410]

Polmaster Construction & Tile Ltd.

[@garnetyang2258]

where do you buy the dumping bucket?? man, I googled it, cannot find it anywhere, :) thanks

[@PolmasterTile]

Garnet Yang go to www.ardexamericas.com/en-us/Products/Pumps/Pages/ROVER-Rolling-Barrel-Cart.aspx

[@garnetyang2258]

thanks mate!

[@lashooter8100]

I use old baseball cleats for walking in the self leveler..much better than spike and more comfortable too

[@smackflack5771]

Same with apoxy

[@TsquareTalk]

Great Video im about to have to do my floor next week. This helps

[@renecaron6409]

Never, ever, revisit an area you have poured more than 10 minutes earlier. It will have begun to set. Mix freshly wet areas with freshly wet areas only.

[@nivilli5229]

Really a very nice video... But the next time with the right nail shoes to get even better results

[@acidforsavages8563]

What do you mean? Do you have different solutions?

[@nivilli5229]

@@acidforsavages8563 I think so, but Checkt it out... www.nivilli.com

[@randybobandy9828]

Nail shoes would k dnt have changed a thing. He might have saved a few oz of product from getting stuck on his boots, that's it.

[@rayfullerton8360]

youtube good place to see the difference in way people do it different this guy was self taught used have the tools a person in this trade would but perfect for the do it yourselfer

[@rphightechflooring.]

Excellent work. I am working epoxy flooring and concrete polishing work in India.

[@franciscotorres6760]

The video is amazing but I would've prefer for you to talk and explain steps and tips

[@terryrobbe7008]

Francisco

[@PRArya-hj4pb]

Excellent work with your company and they are all set for the use of the product.

[@josephanthony2199]

This is the kind of work that I do. I'm thinking about starting to make videos of what I do and how I do it. I mic and pour self leveling after grinding the floors. All I need to do is start videoing what I do. Who would watch it?

[@TheBshackelford1]

Probably no one

[@MaxwellFlooringau]

@@TheBshackelford1 lol

[@stevierug8733]

I’ve been doing this for over 30 years and never had to step all over it yet. Unless I left my phone on the worktop 🤪

[@brianwild4640]

same lol

[@michaelgordy6283]

Hi. Great video!!! I'm doing 2 rooms basically 14' x 14'. It's bare concrete and is pretty level. If anything between 1/8" - 1/4" out. I putting vinyl floor planks as my floor. Would I start with the low spots first? Or would it just be better to do a skim coat and it will fill the low spots as I spread it with the spiked roller I have? I also went ahead and got the shoes as well. Any input would be very helpful!!! Thanks again. Enjoyed the video!!!

[@thomasflynn6307]

Yea I raised a floor up to level instead of going for flat you should be able to skim flat is much more important then level I wish I was told this wasted much time and money looking for a level floor when I just need ed flat

[@Psychlist1972]

Surprised you went right up to the drywall. No moisture issues with that?

[@PolmasterTile]

Drywall is 1/2"-13mm from the floor and self level cement in 1 hour is dry/hard...is no time to absorb from the floor.Thickness in this floor was 3/8" to 1/2" 10-13mm

[@999stryker]

shouldn't you put a damn around the wall to keep the cement from going under the wall?

[@acejohnstonmafiawars]

The consistency of the self-leveling underlay being used looks VERY watery. Batter is usually thicker. Looks like he needs a longer set up time to work the product but result may be compromised if more water was added to the mix than called for. Using a squeegee like that would normally reveal high points as it's pulled across the surface, but the soup prevents that from happening. Well, floor is getting significantly raised up. 27 bags worth... that's a lot of product. Also, primer usually is applied with a soft push broom on concrete, not a roller. Not saying the work isn't good, just that there are some items in the video that can use further explanation.

[@jhalleck]

Most primers can be applied with roller if the surface is smooth. Rough concrete might require a broom to work the primer into the floor. Rough floors can require two coats to get a proper penetration to keep water being from being pulled from the leveler.

[@LeroyJenkins-nn5go]

Looks like you mixed it with extra water from the way it flowed. Is that Mapei Level Plus like they sell at Lowes? I’m getting ready to pour some for the first time

[@peterlafayette5304]

I need to try that. Thanks.

[@diponmalakar232]

I have been doing this for 7 years

[@williwonka5106]

I will be using the Mapei to fix the FAIL I did yesterday with the Quickcrete product. I might have to chisel the old stuff off. What a PITA! Any suggestions?

[@tonygibbs9821]

27 bags to cover 40sqm!!!!! How small were the bags?

[@PolmasterTile]

Habib Khushi 1 bag 22.7 kg or 50 lbs

[@CoupeAudi1990]

First time seeing while leveling so tiny floor dude using special shoes for it :D You can level without standing in that wet cement.

[@rb.867]

Looks great I have a floor in the back of my house that is concrete and they didnt even try to level it, I put plywood over it and it creaks and bows and i hate it. I want this done but dont know of anyone around here that does that type of work.

[@rb.867]

pensacola

[@faisaltakrouri9857]

I like this Bucket .. what its brand name please ??

[@linandy1]

this looks like alot of work.... i want the easy button !

[@gabrielgonzales8163]

buenos vodeos construccion work #1

[@shaun1okeechobee]

Was this pour for a vct install or some sort of vinyl. I have never seen it done that way if it was getting tile. I like that method for just capping the floor minimally.

[@Dsilvaib]

I want to level my basement floors and was wondering what I should do if I don't have dry wall up yet? Also do you have any suggestions on how I should clean and prime the floor if I don't have a drain?

[@loneranger8293]

Great video.I noticed you never used any screed system for leveling? How level was it from one side to another in regards to any tolerance? I am doing my basement and will use screed same width of each room using level baseboards so in theory I will get a complete profile for level. How do you remove old carpet glue and how do you grind out humps?

[@PolmasterTile]

You can use screed system for leveling only when is 2 inches or 5cm thick.Screed does not have any bonding component (latex). You have to use ceramic tile adhesive to combine together the old concrete (with carpet glue) and screed. This floor was out of level from 0" to 1/2" or 13mm we use Primer-L and self-leveling component Novaplan-2 from Mapei.

[@PolmasterTile]

This video may give you some idea how to do Drypack cement please pay attention how we use adhesive for bonding to the old concretekzbin.info/www/bejne/qqOwe62Jh8hmadU

[@markmiller2263]

Lone Ranger look it up, you ARE using KZbin.

[@professorkaos2781]

Dry pack can be used from 0 to 2 inches maximum? Isn't that the specs for most ? Not 2 inches minimum but 2 inches maximum??? Am I wrong here because I have seen floors levelled with Dry pack from 1 inch to 0 many times. Even the flex tile brand uses 1 " as a guide to determine the sqft per bag. Your thoughts?

[@shaun1okeechobee]

Professor Kaos I use thinset with 1/4" v notch to bond my dry pack. I also use type M mortar it can be applied from 1/16 to 6". If you use a brand that makes tile products such as Mapei, Jamo, Laticrete,etc.... then yes max is 2". I never use those products not because they're no good. I save a lot of money buying 80lb bags vs 50lb also $5.85 vs $9-13. I run my screeds with dry pack then next day I fill in with type M but I mix it wet like cement. I use a 3/8" square notch to apply thinset then type M on top. I have found this way to work so well for me. I did a carport and we tiled it. They drive on it. Type M mortar has a 2500lb psi which is over kill for inside a house. Im sure others would disagree. I have been in the flooring industry for 27 years thats how I was taught. Good luck

[@LaAshleighKae]

Holy moly... how long did it take you to clean the existing grout joints?

[@marcfavell]

How much money per barrel and what is the thickness limit of the product?

[@southparklion]

I want to level an area that would involve covering the bottom bit of drywall with leveler. If I trim off that drywall, there would be minimal overlap with the bottom sill plate of the wall. Should I go ahead and cut off the drywall or try to cover it with something like redgard so that there is a moisture barrier between the concrete and the dryall? Thx..

[@MAGAMAN]

Don't cover the drywall. You want the drywall off of the floor a bit so that if there is ever a spill or minor leak, it doesn't soak up into the drywall.

[@monalizakuhns8902]

I used this self leveling in a small room and it works great..but you can't go over it more then three times as it sets fast its like a resen ...the only down part is the price at $30 a bag whoo...that's 27 bags for that floor your talking $800 ish..but I only needed two bags luckily.. Just make sure you ratio in exact. Good luck.

[@phillipcrum3933]

Thanks for the detailed feedback.

[@gregorravnikar1972]

You should use spikes,and you add waaay tooo much water...see the bright areas

[@chrissheehan2755]

27 bags for 40m2 try putting less water in mix that's nuts !!

[@kevinbonilla6488]

Suppost to be 5 quart water 1 50 lbs bag

[@thomaslindell5448]

Does the leveling compound work on that butt crack

[@mr.wizeguy8995]

It need to be fiber reinforced or otherwise it will crack again.

[@zuwenaw]

HAHAHA!! I spit my juice out.

[@s3rv3r3rror8]

some cracks can not be filled.....or at least shouldn't. But you know some "guys" are too curious!

[@michaelwhite6110]

as soon as i saw this guys butt crack i went straight to the comments🤣🤣🤣🤣. i wasnt disapointed!

[@c.m.2747]

Mr. Wizeguy 😂😂😂😂

[@wadeanderson4372]

why is there soo many videos on KZbin of self doing leveling?? Why make it too stressful? Just get two others and it will be pleasant work. One cooks, one is a runner and other is an applicator. I been there and done that and leveling is not worth doing alone.. just my take ;D

[@quityourwaaaaaa]

what is the name of that drum dolly you are using? it looks really handy.

[@ahasina99]

Ueysno

[@brianwild4640]

I screed 40m2 to 60m2 on my own with baseboards/skirting boards fitted and I splash less than that

[@davidkilpatrick3689]

Any cracks should be covered with crack isolation membrane first

[@CytheriaXylia]

Anyone have any advice for concrete floors that have an absurd amount of bumps and almost craters in them? Like its ridiculous and I have no idea what I'm going to do.

[@Chris-mx4jb]

call in a professional flooring company to fix it

[@1stzard]

So basically you fix bad contractors work?

[@javierisco8589]

El autonivelante no se jala solo se golpea para que solo se vaya acomodando.

[@JorgeRamos-ix1jm]

How expensive was it to do that job. I found self leveling material very expensive but there aren't many choices. Thank you.

[@danielboard7097]

Jorge Ramos self levelling latex is expensive but more forgiving then normal latex screed Ardex being one of the best also don’t do it like this all wrong.. floor must be primed use spiked shoes not wellies and use a spiky roller to help the flow and to smooth out any trowel marks

[@randybobandy9828]

That was about $800 in material based on my local hardware store pricing.

[@randybobandy9828]

@@danielboard7097 you don't need spiked shoes. They are helpful but as long as you smooth out your shoe marks on your way off the concrete you will be fine.

[@danielboard7097]

@@randybobandy9828 true but spiked shoes aren’t as messy and it also looks more professional in my opinion

[@jorgealmada4473]

I have a 5,000 square foot 2nd floor to do with 1 inch of material, do you have a video with a pump & a larger mixing

[@brettjones9545]

Spiked roller????? So dont get air bubbles when dry depending on floor

[@edwardjnarrojr3135]

Missed the adhesive perimeter base strip.

[@christopherblair1456]

I love how half way thru the video the underwear gets hiked up.

[@dave5833]

Might have thought about spiked shoes??

[@Danny-ju2ip]

What is the name of the cement and can you put this down on a basement floor ?

[@SilbernerGoldbroiler]

It was your first or your last floor ? Very crazy, you can look at You Tube, how you better never doing ;-)

[@jameschesterton]

That's a lot of kit, screed and time for 40m2

[@suiteCRMtutorials]

Took two 50 lb bags for a 150 sq ft floor with 3/8 of an inch depressions. You mentioned 27 bags for a 450 sq ft floor, holy freaking molly....

[@randybobandy9828]

Wtf are you talking about? He used exactly the amount I calculated for the variation in depth. You must have done it wrong or over diluted your crete making it weak

[@Technologyadvisor1]

Hello I have laid leveling compound on a garage floor but I have not used enough and the compound I have put down needs to be raised a few mm as I have not used enough. Can I top it up? it has only been put down 24 hours but I need the level to be level with some concrete that goes round the sides of the garage. please help

[@davejones4740]

I would always use wheels to do last drop of levelling compound, saves damage to back .

[@ronhughley6510]

Last self level compound I seen was more like runny batter. That looked like water almost

[@tinavarnadoe1410]

I'm trying to learn how to rip up carpet. then see if the floor is even an learn how to fill in the uneven.to put down large tile big square ones.help me I need step by step

[@er.habibkhan7297]

How much courage of 25Kg 1 bag ?

[@tatkinsful]

I have concrete floors in our Masonic Lodge that are painted. Poured in the 40's in 8x8 squares. Several have sunk and more than a half inch in many places, will this still work to re level & paint ? What would the cost be ?

[@AngliaDecor]

Try a resin floor to level it Tony, more robust. Kiln dried sand is added to the resin to fill low areas before top coat over all.

[@RIEGNingBlo00oD]

Will this stuff leak through my living room floor in to my basement? I will be pouring this on wood

[@markcarroll4280]

Yes it will. Use plyboard instead

[@chrismarsh1109]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@tilerman]

I was working on a very expensive plush office building in Central London a couple of years back and the contractors poured about 40 bags of levelling compound onto the main entrance hall floor. What they didn't do and should have done was seal around the edges. The result. Unknowingly the compound poured through a quite narrow gap straight into the electricity cupboard in the basement room below. The building was big and had a lot of fuse boards etc. £32,000 in damages as the offices couldn't function and the whole room needed complete rewiring. A lot of damage.

[@randybobandy9828]

Dear God you shouldn't attempt this if you are asking these questions.

[@victoruche3370]

Can epoxy be applied after the self leveling?

[@jhalleck]

Yes. Confirm with the product you plan on using that the self-leveler is approved for epoxy top coatings. Many are but some are not.

[@billybraasch9256]

what product are you using?

[@PolmasterTile]

Novaplan2 and Primer L from Mapei

[@aaxxcdd]

The music was unbearable. Had to turn it off and couldn't focus on the video

[@Zharsergey]

What's the approx cost per sq ft on a job like this?

[@danielb4640]

grate video, how much would you charge for that job? cheers

[@barbwleklinski6490]

TEC. Skill set leveling concrete

[@vickisalmon142]

Barb Wleklinski

[@swany65]

tell the camera guy to put down the camera and help you out.

[@manonamountain]

'Self levelling compound' is a bit of a misnomer.The only true way it works, is by finding the highest point in an area to be levelled, then wet pouring immediately after it has been mixed/agitated, until it reaches the aforementioned highest point. All that trowelling is a complete waste of time. You never see anyone putting a straight edge or spirit level on the floor in these videos, as they won't be perfectly flat or level.

[@randybobandy9828]

These products work just fine. Ofcourse you start at the highest point in the room. The products name isn't a misnomer, it does exactly what it says it does.

[@manonamountain]

@@randybobandy9828 Well i disagree, because i've seen loads of it down and it's just as bad as it was beforehand. It most certainly does not level things out by itself.

[@randybobandy9828]

@@manonamountain no you obviously have to move the product around where it needs to go but the product doesn't say it automatically levels a floor. It is called a self leveling concrete meaning it levels itself out where every you pour it.

[@UnexpectedlyRandomOfficial]

Forbidden Frosty..... XD

[@brendanjamison1]

Considering leveling out old house concrete basement floor that slopes to a drain. I'd like to raise the drain up and make the entire floor level, so if there's a problem I would just squeegee water to the drain. Slope is roughly 2-3" difference from wall to drain.. Would this method still work with that slope?

[@PolmasterTile]

Brendan Jamison you still can have gradual slope to the drain if you start self levelling away from the drain... but not by the drain.

[@Chris-mx4jb]

no for many reasons. you need to fix that with plywood and sleepers

[@mosesavina8559]

could you put the music louder please,

[@Jdebest50]

how much does one bag cost?

[@amikhailovsky4772]

Great video! What compound did you use? How long is the flow and workable time?

[@PolmasterTile]

We use Mapei ; first Primer L after 25 min.Novaplan 2. Flow time for 5-10 min.Workable time is 30 min. You can walk on it in 2-3 hours .

[@Reliable1102Intel]

I have a concrete floor that could use this product in a residential garage. What kind of sustained work loads can this product endure? Will it crack under stress from floor jacks and jack stands etc?

[@bananariverrods1046]

40lb? 60lb? 80lb? 27 bags of what size self leveling cement bags? You need to add a lot more information if you're going to qualify this video as "how to".

[@pludoo22]

Their a standard or 50lbs

[@randybobandy9828]

Read the fucking description you condescending dbag.

[@Matt93se]

Would this be suitable for use in a garage/workshop where I would be using floorjacks & jackstands? My garage floor is uneven and I'd like to level it out. Thanks!

[@PolmasterTile]

Matt93se Yes ...but remember Self Leveling Cement runs like water make sure there is no huge slope everything will run in one direction to the lowest spot until it's filled up

[@Matt93se]

Got that part covered, thanks. I just wanted to make sure the cured strength was up to the task of dealing with floor jacks and heavy metal!

[@PolmasterTile]

Matt93se go to kzbin.info?ci=O9PxzzXcr0M for more information

[@thomaseddy2674]

wondering if i could do 240 sq ft with 5 gal buckets?

[@PolmasterTile]

You not saying how thick you needs to do. If you want to brush similar to paint/primer ,yes you could do it.Did you notice on the video this is very liquid run by itself like a water everywhere where is lower spot

[@cheryllynn8451]

Would this work to repair a basement floor where someone just dumped concrete on over dirt, and left it full of crevices, holes, globs?

[@williampurvis3927]

self.leveling,does not nessesaraly mean you: can level it Your self:

[@AndrewsMotorWorks]

Is that Kye Kelly?

[@MJ-ll4bd]

is your product available in UAE

[@PolmasterTile]

Levelling cement is made by Mapei

[@abduu911]

Conmix ltd. in uae

[@skyace888]

Do you recut the sawed control joints in the concrete slab?

[@jhalleck]

All control joints in the old slab should be honored and recut. Otherwise the leveler will crack. You may also want to fill the crack with spray foam so the water in mix and leveler does not fill the old control joints.

[@skyace888]

@@jhalleck Even if using a product like Ditra?

[@christianagravante9745]

It's as if you're the only one who understands how to mix it. And it would be good if you explain carefully for tips.

[@gregcoomer1775]

Sorry for my ignorance but are the bags 20kg? I need to do 16m2 at a thickness of at worse around 16mm (is this doable) and I'm trying to work out how many bags I need.

[@PolmasterTile]

I wouldn't buy more than 8 bags.... do not forget the primer.You always can go on top of it.

[@sunnyliu6254]

Welcome to my home visit concrete laser screed videos . Laser screed has Laser guidance，Auger dispersing concrete,and then Vibrating and Consolidating concrete the mass. Flatter floors , Less manual effort , Greater accuracy, Faster placement

[@AJSnow-StayFrosty]

I could use some help the tool that he is using to spread it whats that called

[@markcarroll4280]

Pin-rake

[@garykumar3915]

He made a mess. no spike shoes

[@jpr2644]

What is ment by flow time

[@mohammedmalallah2517]

wheel Mobile Drum Carrier were I found it

[@paulmryglod4802]

how would the job turn out without the self leveling?

[@randybobandy9828]

What kind of question is that?

[@wilwiljames1]

The vid stated 27 bags but didn't tell the weight of the bags, can you give that info?

[@Chris-mx4jb]

50 pound

[@randybobandy9828]

Do you not know videos have a description section and that question you asked was answered in that section?

[@wilwiljames1]

@@randybobandy9828 that question was asked a year ago, answered a year ago and you still failed to answer the question

[@MTLUK]

Where's the latex roller

[@gaewing]

Curious where to by the bucket with wheels? part number?

[@PolmasterTile]

Ardex Rover.

[@JAG77productions]

I made one :)

[@javiercepeda3953]

Good stuff but can you tell the guy to pick up his damn pants🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈

[@kylekilgo6295]

Where does one get the barrel and dolly like you used?