How to make a self-leveling floor with your own hands - instructions for device technology. Step-by-step technology for pouring a self-leveling floor Self-leveling floor stages of work

Floor coverings based on various polymers are widely used in all areas of industrial and civil engineering. The technology of polymer flooring, shown in the photo, clearly demonstrates how in a short period of time it is possible to obtain a high-quality wear-resistant coating of any floor from small room before production premises significant sizes.

Types of polymer floors

In the manufacture of floor coverings, three types of polymers are most often used, which make it possible to obtain excellent results at a relatively low cost. performance characteristics coatings:

Polyurethane coatings based on liquid polyurethane mass, which at a temperature of 15 ° C polymerizes to solid state and is able to withstand strong shock and vibration loads;
Epoxy compositions with various plasticizing additives high strength, resistance to abrasion and chemical inertness;
Methyl methacrylate compositions that can be used to cover outdoor areas and rooms with negative temperatures.

How to arrange polymer floors for various purposes

Initially, polymer floors were intended mainly for industrial premises, trade facilities and entertainment complexes. The application of a polymer floor made it possible to obtain a high-quality seamless coating over large areas, which was simply impossible using other technologies. Polymer self-leveling floor from various compositions differs only in the presence or absence of some specific properties, and the pouring technology does not differ significantly.

Before making a polymer floor, it is necessary to prepare the appropriate equipment and materials that will allow you to qualitatively arrange a floor system of a selected thickness and required properties. It is the system, because the polymer coating is not only a thin layer of polymer poured onto an unprepared base, but also specialized repair and primer compositions that improve the mutual penetration of materials, increase adhesion and appearance of the finished coating.

Training

The technology of applying polymer floors involves quality training concrete base, although self-leveling floors can also be applied to wooden coatings, which in modern construction are quite rare. It is necessary to start the manufacture of any floor with measurements. If the floor level differs from the required by more than 10 mm, it is advisable to fill cement screed on a concrete base to avoid overspending a rather expensive polymer.

Reference: The base for the polymer floor is made in accordance with SNiP 2.0.13-88 "Floors", SNiP 3.04.01-87 "Insulating and finishing coatings”, where all the requirements for this type of coating are indicated. After the poured base has gained the necessary strength, usually 28 days, you can begin to treat the surface with a special primer that is part of the polymer flooring system. It is better to use formulations recommended by the manufacturer, as having passed the necessary tests and certified for a particular type of polymer. After all the requirements for the base are met, you can start applying polymer coatings on the floor.

Technology

Modern technology pouring polymer floors requires highly qualified workers, since the setting time of the composition is rather limited, and it takes no more than 4-5 hours until complete polymerization of some compositions. The most common polymer compositions lose their mobility after 6 hours, and complete polymerization occurs in a time interval of 12 to 24 hours.

To get quality coating it is necessary to have time to apply and level the coating about an hour before the loss of mobility of the composition in order to allow time for the remaining air bubbles to escape. Filling a polymer floor, the device technology of which implies the presence of an additional decorative layer, is different in that the top coat is applied after the polymerization of the base and all decorative elements, whether drawings, sparkles or inclusions of minerals, are located between the polymer layers, causing the volume of the resulting pattern.

After the primer dries, it takes about a day, you can make polymer floors according to bulk technology when the mixture prepared in the required amount is evenly poured over the floor surface, starting from the farthest corner of the room from the exit. The mixture is prepared exactly in the required amount in order to avoid a pause when pouring the floor and to obtain a uniform polymer coating. The technology of polymer flooring is based on the fluidity of the prepared mixture, which should itself cover the floor with an even layer. required thickness, however, one should not rely on the declared fluidity of the material.

To have time to equip the floor before the mixture hardens, you must proceed as follows:

Pour not a large number of mixtures, distributing it in the form of puddles or stripes on a small floor surface;
Using a special squeegee with adjustable coating height, we evenly distribute the mixture over the floor surface;
Add the required amount of polymer to new areas of the floor;
We stretch the polymer with a squeegee until it comes into contact with the previous part of the coating;
We completely fill the polymer floors and roll the surface with a special spiked roller, which helps to get rid of air bubbles and further leveling the poured polymer.

All work on polymer floors is carried out on special needle soles that provide free movement over the spilled mixture without damaging the coating.

3D coating

And if the polymer coating is the finishing one, and even settles in public space? How to make polymer floors, which provide for the laying of additional decorative elements or three-dimensional drawings or photographs? In this case, special attention must be paid to preparing the base for the future floor. Most often, a simple, even very high-quality screed is not enough here. The 3D polymer floors shown in the video are especially critical to the base. When arranging 3d polymer floors, it is not enough to comply with all SNiP and the recommendations of the mixture manufacturer. Here you need the utmost care in applying the polymer and the utmost care when handling the tool.

How are polymer floors with decorative compositions or patterns made? Having completed the preparation of the base, before pouring the main layer of the polymer, it is necessary to carefully, without folds and bubbles, stick the pattern applied to any type of roll materials. After the glue has completely dried, pour the finishing layer of the polymer. If the drawing is applied with paints, then the surface must be primed with transparent paints before applying the polymer. primers. If necessary, to give additional volume and deep gloss, the surface can be covered with special protective varnishes.

With the advent of modern flooring that requires a perfectly level base to lay, there is a need for a technology that provides a much more level surface. rough surface than conventional concrete screed. Self-leveling floor has become one of these technologies. In this article, we will talk about the pros and cons of self-leveling floor technology, and also give clear instructions for its installation.

The self-leveling floor is a monolithic smooth floor covering, which is applied to the surface of the rough screed, compensating for all its irregularities and smoothing out its coarse-grained structure.

This method of leveling the floor is to use a special mixture, physical properties which allow it to spread over the surface to form a flat base. Initially, this type of screed was used in industrial premises with heavy loads, but not so long ago self-leveling floors began to be used in private construction. Bulk coating is of two types - mineral and polymer.

Mineral self-leveling floor is a mixture of cement with various plasticizers and fillers. Leveling the floor with such a self-leveling mixture is used only for further laying of floor coverings. There are the following mineral mixtures:

Basic. This mixture is intended for leveling concrete or cement coatings with slopes up to 80 mm.
Average. It is used to eliminate irregularities up to 30 mm.
Finishing. The surface filled with this mixture (up to 3 mm thick) is ready for subsequent laying finish coating gender.

Polymeric floors are applied as independently finishing covering. They can be used both in residential premises and in premises where special requirements are imposed on the coating for wear resistance and safety. Such coatings are divided into:

Epoxy. Such floors will be resistant to mechanical and chemical damage, moisture. Such coatings are used exclusively in enclosed spaces with special sanitary and hygienic standards.
Polyurethane. These are self-leveling self-leveling floors, which feature is resistance to high temperatures, acids and chemicals, while having a service life of up to 20 years. In addition, they are smooth, have a pleasant appearance and do not collect dust.
Epoxy urethane compounds. They are used for the installation of floors subjected to intense load - on platforms, parking lots, as they are high-strength, non-erasable and elastic at the same time.
Methyl methacrylate. These floors are the least common due to the complexity of their installation, as well as instability to heavy loads.

Pros and cons of self-leveling floor

Like most types of flooring, self-leveling compound has its pros and cons. One of its main advantages is the service life - up to 40 years, subject to the rules of filling and operation. The main disadvantage is that it will not work to remove and replace it, like, for example, linoleum. In case of small violations in the screed, it will have to be completely dismantled and refilled.

Let us consider in more detail all the advantages of self-leveling floor:

Ease of installation. Due to its consistency, self-leveling compounds are easily distributed over the floor, leveling and firmly bonding to the subfloor surface. Subject to the technology of surface preparation and preparation of the composition, everyone can pour a self-leveling screed with their own hands without the help of specialists.
Mechanical and impact resistance. Such coatings cope with significant shock loads. Compressive strength averages 45 MPa, bending strength is about 11 MPa.
Wear resistance to abrasion. According to the study, a polymer floor wears out no more than 0.015-0.025 mm per year under heavy load conditions. However, pinpoint small chips and scratches may occur with a high point load.
No seams or seams, nice look. By pouring the floor all over the room at once, the self-leveling floor forms a single monolithic flat surface ready for laying floor coverings.
Moisture resistant and chemical substances. With small leaks, the self-leveling screed is able to withstand flooding.
Fire safety and non-toxic. The mineral-based self-leveling floor used in most repairs is non-combustible, as well as a vapor-permeable base.
Long service life. As already mentioned, with proper surface preparation and the correct consistency of the mixture, self-leveling floors can last more than one decade.

Disadvantages:

The main disadvantage is the exactingness of such mixtures to proper preparation base, as well as maintaining the correct ratio of dry mix and water when preparing the solution. If one of the technological stages is violated, the self-leveling screed may either not have good adhesion with the rough screed and peel off, or crack with excess or lack of water.
Enough high price for quality blends. The disadvantages of cheap mixtures for self-leveling floors are the insufficient strength of the finished floor and the consistency of the composition, which is insufficient for self-spreading over the floor surface.

Step-by-step instructions for installing a self-leveling floor

So, let's figure out how self-leveling floors are made. The manufacturing process of the coating is not particularly difficult, which allows you to do it yourself, while saving money.

Self-leveling floor tool

Bucket or container for mixing. As a rule, it is more convenient to use larger containers, for example 50 or 100 liters.
Drill with mixer attachment or construction mixer.
Putty knife.
Needle roller. It is necessary to expel air from the thickness of the self-leveling screed.
Squeegee with adjustable clearance.
Kraskostupy for movement on the filled in solution.

Foundation preparation

At this stage, the surface is cleaned of dirt and dust, as well as the repair of all cracks and seams in the rough floor screed. Sealing gaps and cracks in slabs is important because liquid solution can simply go through the rough screed.

The leveling of the screed with a self-leveling floor is carried out after its priming. Priming is necessary in order to bind all the dust and ensure a snug fit (adhesion) of the bulk layer to the main screed, and also so that moisture from the solution is not absorbed into the concrete. With abundant absorption, the consistency of the solution is disturbed, as a result of which the physical and mechanical properties final screed.

Preparing the mixture

The temperature in the room during work should not be below 5 degrees and above 25 degrees, and the humidity should not be about 60%. To prepare the mixture, 2 components are used, which are mixed in a clean bucket with a drill with a mixer.
It is important to strictly observe the proportions of the dry mixture and water to achieve the best mortar properties. Too much water, as well as insufficient, is equally detrimental to the future screed. After stirring the solution, it is left to stand for 5 minutes, and then stirred again.

Filling the self-leveling floor

It is necessary to proceed with the installation of self-leveling floors only after the primer has dried, which usually occurs within a day. The process starts from the highest point or from the far corner of the room. The prepared mixture is poured onto the base and evenly distributed wide spatula. After that pour a few more buckets bulk mixture to unfilled areas. Next, the mixture is rolled out on the floor with a special spiked roller. Needles on the roller serve to remove air bubbles from the thickness of the solution.

When pouring the finished solution, it is important not to delay leveling and expelling air, as the mixture increases its viscosity before our eyes. In order to walk on a flooded screed without damaging it, they use special shoes - paint shoes. They are shoes with needles sticking out of the sole.

The self-leveling floor dries quickly enough - you can walk on it after 3-4 hours, but it is recommended to lay the finish coat after 7-10 days of final drying and gaining the necessary strength

After pouring

After completion of work and drying of the self-leveling floor, its evenness is checked. For this, a long rule with a level is taken and applied in different places. In case of detection of large gaps (more than 2 mm), which occurred due to shrinkage or poor-quality leveling, these places are marked with chalk and filled in additionally. Before additional pouring, these places must be primed again.

When performing work, it is imperative to use protective goggles and gloves, as well as to protect open areas skin from contact with the mixture, as it causes irritation. Due to the fact that the polymer has a specific odor, the room must be well ventilated during pouring.

If, after reading the article, it seemed to you that pouring the self-leveling floor is too complicated and time-consuming, we advise you to read the article about , perhaps you will choose this simple technology.

The video below clearly shows the entire process of pouring the floor with your own hands from mixing the mixture to leveling with a spiked roller.

It is quite difficult to study the installation of self-leveling floors on your own, because the instructions for the corresponding mortar do not indicate the small features of the process, and even more so do not give advice in case of an emergency problem. Therefore, we will collect the experience of successful masters in one article.

The device of self-leveling floors and their characteristics

The technology of applying a self-leveling floor requires painstaking and long labor but it is worth our sacrifice for many reasons. This coating is significantly different from wood, stone or concrete. First, we note that they do not put it, but pour it, and it mostly levels itself, because its consistency is similar to jelly, but your participation is still required. This type of flooring won't be fabulously cheap, but it's worth it. long term services. Its strength characteristics will provide an attractive appearance for 40 years in an apartment, and a little less in industrial mode operation.

By the way, the self-leveling floor laying technology is often found in public places - airports, shops, garages, but this will mainly be a semi-industrial version of medium thickness. More thin coating decorative purpose typical for apartments, but so far few have appreciated its merits, considering laying too complicated an event. most greater thickness will have industrial type self-leveling floor, you can see it at enterprises where increased resistance to abrasion, chemical environments, mechanical damage is needed. In addition, in most cases, the material will also have antistatic qualities.

The prevalence of such coverage is still high, but not in a residential apartment, and we are ready to contribute to its popularization. Self-leveling floors, the manufacturing technology of which will be described below, are not only durable, but also attractive, because color solutions set, and 2- and 3-D drawings created in top layer, much more. Moreover, this coating does not require complex care, easy to clean, does not collect dirt and dust in the cracks (he simply does not have them). Also, the surface is perfectly even if the technology has been followed correctly, so any other coating can be laid on top.

Self-leveling floors - manufacturing technology and differences

Before we master the pouring technology directly, we still have to choose self-leveling floors, which is also considered not an easy task, because species diversity just amazing. Let's briefly look at the classification according to various criteria. First, the most important thing is the composition, here you can name the following types of coverage:

cement-acrylic (the cheapest, resistant to water in any quantity and non-slip);
methyl methacrylate (quick-drying, but demanding to comply with the technology, smells unpleasant in liquid form);
epoxyurethane (very resistant to any mechanical stress);
polyurethane (durable, do not suffer in the case of an aggressive environment around or frequent impacts);
epoxy (do not collapse even from a direct hit of harsh chemistry, but fragile with respect to impacts).

The most common options for use in residential premises are the last two, they are also the most popular on store shelves. Now consider the classification by thickness, there are self-leveling floors:

thin-layer (up to 1 mm) - used as a coloring layer, they require a perfectly even base;
self-leveling (up to 5 mm) - the most common option, they serve both to level the initial surface for any coatings, and as an independent floor;
highly filled (above 5 mm) - hide the grossest defects in the base and are self-sufficient coatings, and quite durable and strong.

They also divide self-leveling floors according to the type of surface:

matte;
semi-matte;
semi-gloss;
glossy.

By color design:

mono-, two-, three- and multi-color;
with 2D drawing;
with 3D drawing.

Self-leveling floors - pouring technology and its secrets

Now you can master the installation of a self-leveling floor, the technology described by us is considered a general case, for certain types of coatings, some items will be supplemented with their own characteristics, carefully study the instructions on the package and read more specific topics on our website.

Self-leveling floor pouring technology - step by step diagram

Step 1: Base Survey

First of all, we pay attention to the state of your floor at the moment. It should not be wooden, noticeably strong, without through cracks and holes, because the composition can leak from the intended area, and this, in best case, will simply increase the consumption of the mixture, at worst, some communications will be damaged, and even neighbors. It is also undesirable to have very high irregularities, this circumstance will either require a lot of leveling work, or completely exclude the possibility of obtaining a self-leveling coating. Maximum allowable height 10 cm is considered a leveling screed, but it is better to stick to a value of 5 cm, this is beneficial both from an economic and practical point of view. If the irregularities are higher than 5 cm, it is better to first try to eliminate them in other ways. It is worse when the floor is even, but its slope turned out to be such that 5 cm is not able to level it. Such a mistake of builders can deprive you of a beautiful bulk coating.

Step 2: Preparing the base

Now we clean the surface from dirt, dust, remnants of the previous floor material, paint, in general, any foreign matter that for some reason ended up under your feet. Use brushes, brooms, solvents for this, you can even connect a vacuum cleaner. Next, fill small chips and cracks with a polymeric elastic sealant, this will finally level the surface and prevent damage from spreading further. Then treat the floor with a primer, wait about 4 hours for it to dry, and repeat the procedure. It is especially important to apply a second coat if your substrate is porous and has greedily absorbed the first coat.. Now arm yourself with a waterproofing sealant and treat the joints of the floor with the walls with it, if you are sure that there are not even small cracks, then this measure is not needed.

Make sure that there is no draft in the room, which will cause dust and small debris to sticky surface, as well as undesirable impact sun rays throughout the work.

Step 3: Preparing the mixture

Now comes the most exciting stage, because here it is desirable to find a "golden mean", so that the mortar has a certain fluidity, which is visually familiar only to experienced builders. Cooking should be in a bulk container, and first pour some of the water, pour the mixture into it with constant stirring (use), and then add the missing amount of water according to the recipe. You should also beat the solution for as long as indicated in the instructions so that all components react. If the area for pouring is small, prepare the entire package at once, but if it is large, you will have to do it in parts.

And although there is an instruction on each bag of mixture, sometimes the result obtained does not spread as expected, or it does it quickly and then does not dry for a long time. The reasons may be different, from violation of production techniques to improper storage, but we will not know this, so the prepared mixture will need to be checked first. Therefore, before kneading (because after it it counts for minutes), stock up on a cap from an aerosol can, a piece of glass with a side of at least 20 cm and a ruler.

Step 5: Filling the floor

You should start working from the far left corner from the entrance, each subsequent portion (if you work in parts) is poured next to the edge of the previous one. The solution "lives" a little more than 30 minutes, but it is better not to go beyond this time mark. Quickly, one by one, prepare parts of the mixture and fill the entire area, align the joints between them with a doctor blade. Then wait 40 minutes for the mixture to set. Take a needle roller on a very long handle, if you still can’t reach the farthest corner, put spiked pads on your feet, and work the surface with your feet and roller to release small air bubbles, so the floor will be more reliable and durable. Do this several times after a short period of time, and then leave the room for a day so that the floor reaches "readiness". If possible, then do not walk on it for another week.

Knowing the technology of work and following the attached instructions will help you pour the self-leveling floor with your own hands, without resorting to specialists. This coating is suitable and successfully equipped in residential apartments, private houses and warehouses.

High strength qualities ensure the life of the floor for more than 10-15 years, which eliminates periodic expenses for repair and restoration of the base.

Types and classification of self-leveling floors

Cement and gypsum self-leveling floors

Before deciding how to make a self-leveling floor with your own hands, you should understand what is meant by this concept. Many people confuse the meaning of words and refer to self-leveling floors completely different types of materials that have nothing to do with them.

Self-leveling floors are a general group of building mixtures that are used to level the floor, prepare the base for laying floor cladding and create a topcoat with high strength qualities.

Based on this, we can distinguish the following classification of self-leveling floors:

Mineral mixtures are self-levelling compounds containing cement, plasticizers and mineral additives. The content of additional components affects the plasticity and pliability of the solution during pouring. Used for leveling and laying surfaces floor covering.
Polymer compositions are especially strong mixtures, after polymerization of which an exceptionally strong, wear-resistant and hardy coating is created. The polymer included in the composition determines the various qualitative characteristics of the mixture and affects the scope of its application. Used to create a finishing coating on industrial facilities, medical facilities and the private sector.

Mineral mixtures, in turn, are divided into a leveling agent to create a base layer and a leveling mass. The leveler is used for rough leveling of a concrete base with severe damage or large differences heights. Level-mass is designed to correct minor surface flaws and create a finishing layer.

Types of polymer floors most commonly used in modern construction

Polymer compositions are divided into epoxy, polyurethane, epoxy-urethane, cement-polyurethane and methymethacrylate solutions. The polymer or compound of polymeric substances included in the composition determines the final characteristics of the coating.

For example, they are distinguished by high elasticity and strength, as a result of which they are not afraid of point impacts or heavy objects falling.

Self-levelling screed is more simple solution for a do-it-yourself device, since the technology of its device is simpler than that of polymer compositions. But this does not mean at all that self-pouring of polymer mixtures is impossible - more detailed preparation for work and more careful, careful and labor-intensive execution will be required.

Substrate preparation for all types of floors

The technology for making a self-leveling floor for any type of mixtures provides for complex preparatory work, including the removal of the old floor covering, the removal of large debris and dust, the cleaning of contaminants, the elimination of possible damage, etc.

The device of mineral or polymer compositions can be made both on a wooden and on a concrete base. wooden surface is less suitable, since the bearing capacity of the structure is limited, expansion and movement of the tree are possible during operation.

For wooden floor, most rational decision will be too much general design, flooring new draft foundation and an unbonded tie-type device. That is, the floor structure will not be rigidly connected to the self-leveling floor, which will prevent damage to the leveling and finishing layer.

The wooden floor is not entirely suitable for liquid formulations, but it can also be prepared for pouring them.

In view of this, the preparation of a wooden base for pouring a self-leveling floor will consist of the following:

removal of the old plinth, boardwalk and other finishing elements. Cleaning and visual inspection of all load-bearing structural elements is carried out;
in the presence of rot and other damage to the wood, depending on the element, a method is taken to eliminate the damage. With a weak degree of damage to an element that does not accept a large load, the affected area is replaced with new material;
for severely damaged load-bearing elements, it is recommended to completely replace the affected area. After replacing all damage, the structure is set according to the level. This can be done by lining building materials under logs bearing pores or beams;
perform the treatment of all wooden parts of the floor with a primer antiseptic composition to protect against fungus and rot. Next, the laying of the rough flooring from the boards is carried out. Damaged or very old boards are best replaced with new ones;
sanding and stripping old paint, varnish and other finishes from a plank surface. To do this, you can use sandpaper, a brush with a metal pile or a grinder;
placed on the floor surface polyethylene film with a perimeter overlap of 15-20 cm. An expansion joint made of foam materials is glued along the lower edge of the wall. Fill in progress concrete screed at 3-5 cm.

In the absence of a screed, especially in houses without constant heating and good waterproofing of the base, the surface after installing the floor may burst or crack. Using a sufficient layer of polyurethane flooring will delay damage, but eventually the leveling layer will still crack.

Technological stages of concrete base preparation

Preparation of the concrete base will consist of the following steps:

elimination old finish and cladding from a concrete surface. Cleaning and cleaning of the base. To eliminate paint streaks or greasy spots organic solvents are used. For cleaning dust and sand - a broom with a dustpan, wet cleaning and a construction vacuum cleaner;
Checking the horizontal using a level. With differences of more than 3-4 mm per 2-3 m, it will be necessary to fill in a thin-layer leveling screed. For a small deviation, it is enough to eliminate deep injuries;
for grouting damage under leveling compounds is used cement-sand mixture. The surface near the damage is cleaned of dust, primed in one or two layers with penetrating compounds and rubbed with a solution. When laying polymer floors, damage is rubbed with a special putty, which is recommended by the manufacturer;
general priming of the surface with primers. For leveling compounds, this is a common penetrating primer. For polymer coatings - one or two-component composition from the manufacturer of the self-leveling floor. It is desirable to perform surface treatment in two or three layers in compliance with all recommendations and instructions.

Regardless of the type of base, a moisture test is performed under any self-leveling floor. Mineral compositions provide pouring at a moisture content of no more than 10%, polymeric compositions no more than 4%.

For concrete subfloors, a compressive and peel strength test is mandatory. This is done using a mechanical or electronic sclerometer.

Technology of pouring mineral mixtures

Squeegee, roller and other tools used in the work

It is assumed that under the self-leveling floor is understood exactly the leveling mass, and not the leveling agent itself, which, according to the consistency and method of installation, gravitates to the traditional concrete screed. In view of this, the technology discussed below will be valid for only self-leveling bulk mix.

To prepare the solution, it is desirable to prepare a convenient container with rounded edges, a low-speed drill with a mixer nozzle and a power of at least 1-1.2 kW, a squeegee, paint brushes and a needle roller.

It is better to fill the floor with a partner, as this will significantly speed up the process of pouring the floor, eliminate hitches when pouring the quick-hardening mass and improve the quality of the work as a whole.

The main stages of pouring the mineral composition

A self-leveling self-leveling floor when pouring with your own hands will be performed in the following sequence:

An expansion joint is being glued at the bottom of the wall. Gluing is carried out around the perimeter of the entire room. As a material, it is recommended to use a damper tape or foam.
The preparation of the solution is carried out in the proportions indicated on the package or the attached instructions. The preparation time of the mixture depends on the composition, but usually it is 5-7 m and 2-3 m for the maturation of the solution in a calm state.
The prepared mixture is poured from the far wall in the room. To distribute the mixture, a doctor blade with thickness adjustment is used. Air is removed by rolling with a spiked roller.
A new portion of the solution is being prepared and poured. The optimal thickness of the layer created by the self-leveling self-leveling floor is no more than 3-5 mm. After working out and pouring required amount solution, finishing rolling with a roller is performed.

Benchmarks can be used to more accurately control the layer thickness. These are special beacons that are placed on the surface of the base and are adjusted according to the indications. building level. In the course of work, when the mixture reaches the required level, the benchmarks are removed as unnecessary.

Technology for pouring polymer mixtures

Do-it-yourself self-leveling floor - preparation and pouring of the base layer

The general technology of pouring and the installation of self-leveling floors based on polymer compounds somewhat different and requires compliance with the time intervals between pouring different layers.

To carry out the work, you will need a similar set of tools, tools personal protection and solvent for cleaning tools. The choice of a particular composition lies entirely on the shoulders of the homeowner, but in general the technology is similar for both epoxy and polyurethane compounds.

The method described below assumes that the base is completely ready for applying the mixture, that is, the damaged areas have been grouted, a primer has been applied in several layers, and an expansion joint has been glued.

Two-component solutions are mixed in a certain sequence - component B is added to the container of component A

In this case, pouring the self-leveling floor with your own hands will look like this:

The preparation of the polymer composition is in progress. For a one-component mixture, the mixture is mixed for 3-5 minutes, for a two-component mixture, the two components are mixed and thoroughly mixed according to the instructions.
The first or base layer is being poured. To do this, the mixture from the container is poured onto the floor surface, distributed with a doctor blade or a metal spatula. A spiked roller is used to expel air.
For some mixtures, not a simple distribution is performed, but a small amount is applied with a spatula located at an angle of 70-80 degrees to the surface. That is, the solution is, as it were, “rubbed” into the base, preventing the formation of puddles and sagging.
After the base layer has dried, usually from 18-24 hours, start preparing the mortar for the final layer. To do this, repeat the steps described above for mixing and mixing binders. The composition is applied “in bulk” and carefully distributed over the surface. After 10-12 m after pouring, rolling is carried out with a roller and the base is left to dry.

The main difference when applying polymer compositions from mineral self-leveling floors is mixing and working with components. When preparing polymer solutions, the principle and time of mixing should be carefully observed. Pay close attention to cleanliness and avoid the ingress of foreign substances or objects.

In general, general way pouring for both compositions is similar and requires only a well-prepared base, knowledge of the technology and following the manufacturer's recommendations. Before performing work, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the video - self-leveling floors with your own hands.

A special place is occupied by the self-leveling floor. Its widespread use is explained useful properties, among them: practicality, resistance to abrasion, smoothness, ability to withstand humidity and temperature changes. If you want to update the design of the room, then self-leveling floors will be a valuable find, and the application technology will allow you to embody arbitrarily bold design ideas.

What the master needs to know

If you will make self-leveling floors on your own, you must remember one of the characteristics of such structures, which is thickness. Resistance to abrasive substances depends not only on the thickness of the floor, but also on the nature of the film-forming agent. classified by age. Thus, the minimum period for thin-layer coatings, the average - for self-leveling floors, but highly filled floors are ready to serve as much as possible. As practice shows, the most painstaking and milestone self-leveling flooring is the preparation of the surface, which must be leveled. If the surface has a slight slope, then the mass will flow into the lower corner.

Surface preparation

The device of self-leveling floors provides for the presence of additional thermal insulation, which is laid on the floor slabs. A layer of expanded clay can act as a heater. The screed can be made of cement, water and sand. Among other things, the composition for arranging the rough surface can be purchased in the store ready-made. The mixture is poured over expanded clay, and then leveled and left to dry completely.

For reference

The device of self-leveling floors can be performed by any home master on their own. The consistency of the mass for work should resemble liquid sour cream. The mixture consists of polymers, resins, as well as additives. The durability of the finish coating and the quality of the work depend on how well the surface is prepared. The most practical base is considered to be a concrete screed, but some builders use a wooden base. But experts advise to refrain from wood at the base of the subfloor, as it is sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature.

Rough surface requirements

If you will be installing self-leveling floors, it is important to prepare as correctly as possible concrete surface: it must have normal humidity when applying a primer. Residual moisture should not exceed 4%. After pouring the screed, it is necessary to leave the surface for some time, which is required to remove residual moisture from the concrete. If the deadlines are running out and there is no time, you can use a two-component water-based one.

The technology of self-leveling floors provides for grinding the surface of the screed, if there are irregularities on its base. Among other things, such manipulations will open the pores in the concrete, which will contribute to a higher adhesion of materials. If the floor is tiled ceramic tiles, then you can use such a surface as a base. To do this, the tile is washed and degreased, and then treated with soil, which allows to increase the quality of adhesion. If there are peeling tiles, they must be removed, and cement mortar should be laid in the resulting empty spaces.

Padding

The device involves priming, which prevents the penetration of air into the self-leveling floor system. This will prevent the formation of bubbles. Before applying the primer, the surface must be cleaned. In the priming process, you can use a roller. In order to improve the adhesive qualities with a self-leveling floor, it is necessary to pour fine-grained clean sand onto the still dry soil. Experts advise to purchase primer for concrete and not save on it if the composition is quickly absorbed. In this case, its application is carried out in several layers.

Base layer fill

Works on the installation of self-leveling floors include pouring the base layer. Its thickness should be approximately 3 millimeters, the application of the mixture should be carried out 6-12 hours after the priming, which is true when using a polyurethane layer. If it is supposed to apply, then the base layer is poured after 12-17 hours. base layer- this is a continuous coating, which is equipped by pouring. The composition is evenly distributed over the surface, and if covered big square, then the mass should be filled with adjacent strips. The composition will spread and level out on its own. To apply the mixture, it is recommended to use a squeegee, which is a tool with an adjustable gap. With it, you can apply a layer of the desired thickness.

The installation of epoxy self-leveling floors should be carried out in such a way that bubbles do not form in the composition. Before the mixture dries, the surface must be treated with a special roller, which has long spikes. The master should roll the base, moving in different directions. In this case, the tool should not be removed from the material. In 10 minutes, it is necessary to complete this process, since after this period the composition will begin to increase the viscosity.

If a two-component composition was used for the floor, then you need to prepare such an amount of the mixture that you have time to work out before the moment of hardening. While rolling the surface with an aeration roller, the master must put on paint shoes that have special metal spikes. Such a device will eliminate the violation of the integrity of the bulk coating. If it is supposed to take a rather long break in work, then the entire tool must be washed in a solvent.

Filling the finish layer

A day after applying the base layer, you can prepare a mixture for the self-leveling floor, which will form the basis of the topcoat. However, the interval between applying layers should not exceed 48 hours. The thickness of this coating should be approximately 2 mm. In order to improve chemical characteristics coating and provide it with a shine, pouring the floors is completed which is applied thin layer. Seamless coating it will turn out to be monolithic, and there will be almost no temperature shrinkage. However, you must remember to have expansion joints along walls and doors. The resulting space is filled with a special sealant.

The self-leveling floor must be equipped according to the manufacturer's instructions. At the same time, it is important to comply temperature regime. If the mixture is applied at a lower temperature than that specified in the instructions, then the mixture will harden for a long time, spread poorly, and its consumption will increase. The appearance of the coating after hardening may not meet expectations. If, on the contrary, the temperature is elevated, then the mixture will harden in a shorter time, but the quality of the composition will decrease, which will negatively affect the durability and appearance coatings.

When carrying out such work, a constant temperature must be maintained in the room until the surface hardens. If it is too hot, it will cause bubbles to form. Industrial self-leveling floors, the device of which is carried out according to the same technology, also provide for the application of the mixture on a surface previously prepared with a primer. If the temperature is sharply reduced during priming, this will cause condensation to form on the surface. Under such conditions, work should not be carried out. Uncured coating is recommended to be protected during the day from any moisture on the surface. If this happens, the curing process will be disturbed, the base may turn white, and pores and bubbles will appear on the surface. The floor must be kept clean and the room must be sufficiently ventilated.

The cost of the work

Before you start pouring the mixture, you must lay the floor screed. Self-leveling floor, the device of which is not always carried out by the owners of apartments and houses, will cost more if you entrust the matter to professionals. For example, laying a concrete screed will cost about 450 rubles. behind square meter. If you want to insulate the surface by adding an expanded clay layer to the system, then the work will cost 600 rubles. per square meter. A sand-concrete screed can be equipped by specialists for 550 rubles. per square meter. Quite often, self-leveling floors are supplemented with heating, while the arrangement of the preparation will be somewhat different, but it will cost less - 350 rubles. per square meter. If you decide to install a self-leveling floor, an estimate compiled by professionals will allow you to estimate the costs in advance. So, if the floor thickness does not exceed 30 millimeters, then you will have to pay 350 rubles for the work. per square meter. Finishing layer, whose thickness does not exceed 10 millimeters, will cost 250 rubles. per square meter.

Conclusion

If you still can’t decide whether to choose a self-leveling floor as a topcoat, then you should familiarize yourself with it in more detail. technical specifications. Such systems have high wear resistance, perfectly withstand the impact of aggressive household chemicals, and are also ideal for subsequent finishing with any materials. If you do not lay other coatings, the surface will be easy to clean and hygienic. In addition, during operation, the materials at the base of the self-leveling floor do not emit toxic substances and vapors harmful to human health. Such systems are completely harmless to external environment, which forces many buyers to make a choice in their favor.

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