self-levelling on my next job, advice appreciated

[Bartlett]

Hi, I got some good advice here a couple of weeks ago with ref to self-levelling. The job in hand is a dusty and uneven concrete floor of 9m2 where previous ceramic tiles have been removed. I will seal and then level and I think I'm going to use Mapei products as recommended. I'm a pretty good self-taught plasterer so I'm hoping the spreading etc should not be a big problem but any advice that you experienced guys can can offer would be appreciated as it's my first time using SCL.
Should I mix up all 25kg at once (I am prepared with gorilla tub, paddle, float and spiked roller)
Should I get my boy to help? ie, is it a 2 man job?
How quick do I need to work?
Any tips to help me along the way?

 

[david campbell]

it all depends on how fast you think you are going to work and if it's a rapid setting slc,as a self taught plasterer i would imagine you should be fairly quick at this,if your boy is going to help then maybe he could mix as you work this may you can have the slc as you need it!

 

[DHTiling]

Been using the mapei latex plan trade a bit lately..cannot recommend it enough.

 

[grumpygrouter]

Been using the mapei latex plan trade a bit lately..cannot recommend it enough.

How is it in comparison to Fiberplan Dave?

 

[Bartlett]

it all depends on how fast you think you are going to work and if it's a rapid setting slc,as a self taught plasterer i would imagine you should be fairly quick at this,if your boy is going to help then maybe he could mix as you work this may you can have the slc as you need it!

This is what I was thinking. I just wondered if we should be doing a 25kg bag all at once. I'm a little worried about getting the mix right if we do a half bag at a time, I understand you need to be using exactly the right amount of water.

 

[DHTiling]

How is it in comparison to Fiberplan Dave?

About half the price....:smilewinkgrin: and does upto 10mm.. 2 part latex russ....

 

[grumpygrouter]

About half the price....:smilewinkgrin: and does upto 10mm.. 2 part latex russ....

I have a set in my garage Dave, but never needed to use it yet!

 

[Bolter]

This is what I was thinking. I just wondered if we should be doing a 25kg bag all at once. I'm a little worried about getting the mix right if we do a half bag at a time, I understand you need to be using exactly the right amount of water.

Personally Id use the latex that comes with a separate bottle of white liquid. Get yourself a large "straight edge" and have a big bucket of water and a sponge handy.

Check floor before laying for high spots and dips, mark floor if necessary. Pour in some SLC and pull it out using the straight edge. Pull it one way, then the other. Having one person on each end helps. Just keep pulling the SLC you poured back and forth, in the area you are working on.

Keep pouring, pulling and cleaning your straight edge to then check the floor.

Leave to dry partially. Once its set a little but the top is softish (not too soft, but not gone off super hard), you can use a rubbing bar or a sharper edge on your straight edge to rub down any snots of latex, little high spot etc. Also a good opportunity to check again for low spots. Its like building a floor up to a good standard, and shaving it down to a perfect finish.

First time may take you longer, but really its fairly easy, and you'll be suprised with the results.

Flatter the floor, the easier and better the tiling! Good luck!

 

[davy_G]

This is what I was thinking. I just wondered if we should be doing a 25kg bag all at once. I'm a little worried about getting the mix right if we do a half bag at a time, I understand you need to be using exactly the right amount of water.

I mix half a bag at a time, usually have someone doing my mixing. Give me the right amount of SLC to work and finish in the right amount of time. Suppose every job is different though and depends how bad the floor is.

 

[Ajax123]

Hi, I got some good advice here a couple of weeks ago with ref to self-levelling. The job in hand is a dusty and uneven concrete floor of 9m2 where previous ceramic tiles have been removed. I will seal and then level and I think I'm going to use Mapei products as recommended.

Any tips to help me along the way?

Is it just dust from the removal of old tiles or is it dusty becasue the concrete surface itself is a problem. If it is the concrete you may need something more drastic than a standard acrylic primer. Don't forget (as if you would) that the surface should be "clean, dry, sound and free from dust and other contaminants likely to affect adhesion" (BS 8204 Screeds and Sub bases to receive finishes)

 

[bubblebobble]

here is my opnion.
mix the whole bag and use one of the new rubber roller spikeys designed for leveling the slc.
No trowel marks and smooth as a babies bottom!....used one for ages in all my work, beats a trowel or straight edge hands down.
But each to his/her own i guess, and then again my original trade is as a plasterer.
do check out the roller though.

 

[White Room]

I would use the trowel to spread the slc then use the spikey to get the air bubbles out

 

[bubblebobble]

Apologies:...as WB states...spread with the trowel then roll her out.
neglected to state specifically the proceedure.