Self leveling compound?

[Zebu Fellenz]

Hi Everyone,

I have a floor that is neither flat nor level in a bathroom that is being installed.

Floor is concrete and is a mix of an old slab and new slabs. Area inside the bathroom is approximately 6' wide by 7' deep.

All of the plumbing is roughed in through the slab so I have a toilet flange and two other drains to work around. Largest change in floor height is right around a 1/2 inch.

Any suggestions for a product to use? I'll probably be using sheet vinyl for the finished flooring. Looking at Henry 555 right now but not sure if there's a better option?

-Thanks,

Erik

 

[Kaizen]

I used something at hd. Expensive at 20 bucks a bag but flowed, adhered, and did not crack. Sorry forget the name.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mobiledynamics]

Mapei

 

[DC73]

Ardex is a good choice for self leveling compound. They make several different types. K-15 is a premium self leveler and is a very good choice. V-1200 is a standard self leveler and is less expensive than the K-15. I used the V-1200 for my project and it worked very well.

If you have a flooring supply store that caters to professionals, they'll be able to tell you which of the Ardex products are best suited for your area and your use.

The Henry 555 will also work but it was more expensive than the Ardex V-1200 around here.

The local Home Depot also sells LevelQuik RS by Custom Building Products which should work for your application. Note that it is a "rapid set" product so it doesn't give you a lot of time but for such a small area, you should be okay. They also make a LevelQuik ES which is an extended set leveling compound which would allow you more working time but the Home Depots around here do not carry it and I couldn't find it elsewhere either.

DC

 

[johnnyradiant]

Mapei is the most commonly used in the trades out here on the wetcoast.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Zebu -

If you have a homers, the SL is fine there....
I only recommend Mapei is they mood good/great stuff and it's been awhile, but one of their mixes will SL up to 2". You won't find this in most consumer stuff...

Sounds like a small bathroom. The box stuff is fine for that.

I am super critical for alot of stuff like mortar and stuff. I look at batchcodes and check production dates....box stuff should be fresh for your intended goal

 

[Armorpoxy]

We carry Laticrete Drytek Levelex Professional Self Leveler, would work great in this application. Should be available locally.

 

[jp828108]

I helped my brother use this in his master bedroom. roughly 300-350 square feet of concrete slab. https://www.lowes.com/pd/MAPEI-Self-Leveler-Plus-Indoor-Self-Leveling-Underlayment/50293201

I don't remember exactly how far off it was, but mixed up quite a few bags of this. Took both of us. We pre marked the 5 gallon buckets to mix an entire bag and then filled and mixed. used 2 buckets and it took everything I had to keep him in leveling compound. Think we mixed something like 15 or so bags of it. He wanted a level subfloor to install engineered hardwood floors on. He is a bit of a perfectionist so may have gone a bit overboard, or the floor may have been that bad not really sure.

 

[shellback]

Same here...we are in the planning stages on an entire home engineer floor install. The MAPEI products look like the way to go. Still don't know how bad our floor is, bud judging from other results we've seen in FL home building quality, I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

[mobiledynamics]

For clarity, there is a couple different versions of the SL in Mapei's lineup. Price reflects it as well.....

It's rapid set, so depending on how big or small of a area, like anything in life, PREP PREP PREP. Damm areas that need it. Have plenty of buckets, pour bags, add water, mix , pour. Rinse and repeat. the air get's qute dusty with all this pouring and mixing. It's a fast hustle.......even with 3 guys.

That's the best advice I can offer when using said products....

 

[3rdgendslmech]

I used self leveler last year for my bathroom renovation job. I'll second PREP! Try to find your highest spot and shoot off of that. Mark lines along your walls and even make notes on the floor itself. Just make sure that when you're done that your toilet flange will still make a good connection to your drain pipe.

 

[Chris705]

I will second the Ardex. Available at Duke Supply in Hernrieta just past Southtown plaza on the south side.

 

[shellback]

I called the local floor&decor and will be picking up each Mapei product plus the special spiky roller. First time ever doing this so the Mrs and I are psyched!

 

[b-boy]

My advice is to move quickly. That stuff can go from liquidy to sludgy in a very short period of time. If you move too slowly, you'll end up with worse problems than when you started.

 

[shellback]

Thanks b-boy.
I will post photos of the before and after. Have to move a ton of furniture first!

 

[PWC Repair]

Literally just used some Henry 555 in the kitchen. My old house has a sloped area in one corner. Leveled up about 3/8" in prep for sheet vinyl. Works great.

 

[mike93lx]

Be ready. Have water available, premeasured, in buckets. Have a very sturdy drill and mixer or rent one. Have extra material in case you need to mix more.

You won't have time to mess around with getting tools and other supplies, especially if you've never used it before.