Leveling compound | Price, DIY, Advice and Info
Would you like to install leveling compound yourself? It is important to have a good basis for a perfect floor finish. With the Staenis leveling grid you can easily and reliably create a flat surface at the right height.
The grid also reinforces the surface, so that your floor finish is better protected against cracks. For heights between 1 mm and 2 cm, we recommend using leveling compound in the Staenis leveling grid. However, there are also leveling compounds that can be used up to a height of 5 cm.
For heights between 1 cm and 5 cm it is more economical to install an adhesive screed screed. Egaline is always applied adhesively, so using the right primers is essential. We are happy to help you with this!
Applications
On concrete or screed: Leveling compound can be used to smooth out any unevenness or height differences and to create a smooth and flat surface.
On existing tiles: leveling compound can help to hide any unevenness or cracks in the existing tilework and create a smooth surface for further finishing.
Blogs (manuals)
Possible even floor constructions
Adhesive screed as an alternative to leveling compound
What is leveling compound and how do you use it?
Egaline is a self-levelling material consisting mainly of cement and plastics. It provides a flat and smooth surface on the floor and prevents cracks and tears. Egaline is suitable for various surfaces, such as existing tiles, concrete or cement screeds. The thickness of leveling compound varies from 1 to 50 mm, depending on the substrate and the type of leveling compound. When preparing the leveling compound, it is important to use the correct water ratio and to make the surface clean, dry and free of dust and grease. After applying leveling compound, you must wait until it has hardened sufficiently, after which it is suitable for further finishing.
Egaline, an effective leveling compound
To level your floor you need a leveling compound, such as egaline. Egaline is a liquid cement-like material that consists of plastics. It can be used with sand cement and anhydrite subfloors. Egaline is available as a powder that you mix with water. The egaline mix is liquid when working, but hardens after application. The mixture quickly adheres to the surface, so it is important to get to work right away, because removing this layer is difficult.
Why use leveling compound?
By applying a layer of leveling compound, you get a good subfloor without level differences on which you can place a new finishing layer. With leveling compound you can compensate for level differences of up to 3 cm. This way you can even raise part of your underlying floor to the level of the entire floor slab. For floors higher than 30 millimeters it is better to install an adhesive screed with the Staenis Egaline grid. For floors in very poor condition, it is better to use a building material other than leveling compound or leveling mortar. Consult a professional for the correct approach. Leveling mortar/smoothing mortar is in fact also leveling mortar, but usually a type that does not flow open by itself. You must therefore open and spread the leveling mortar yourself.
Leveling: don't forget your primer
Before leveling or leveling a screed indoor floor, you should coat it with the right floor primer. Priming your floor is essential for a durable and flat floor. The primer strengthens the top layer, ensures better adhesion of the leveling compound and prevents the leveling compound from drying out too quickly on the absorbent surface. The primer also ensures that the leveling compound flows better and can do its job optimally during processing.
On which surface do you apply leveling compound?
Egaline can be applied to many different surfaces, such as existing tiles, concrete or cement screeds. Make sure that the surface is stable, clean, dry and free of dust and grease. Also remove substances that can negatively affect the adhesion. Always use a suitable primer (adhesive primer).
Which leveling compound should I buy?
You choose leveling compound based on the height difference you want to level out. If you need to level out about 1 cm in height, take a leveling compound between 1 mm and 2 cm. This way you still have play and the leveling compound will open up nicely at that height. Always read the technical data sheet to check the compatibility between the substrate, leveling compound and floor finish.
How do you apply leveling compound with the Staenis leveling grid?
Follow these steps to apply leveling compound using the Staenis leveling grid:
- Make the surface clean, dry and free of dust and grease.
- Apply a suitable bonding primer to the substrate and let it dry according to the instructions on the packaging.
- Place the Staenis leveling grid on the floor according to the instructions supplied.
- Mix the leveling compound with water according to the recommended proportions on the package.
- Pour the leveling compound onto the floor and inside the Staenis leveling grid. Spread it evenly with a trowel or squeegee.
- Allow the leveling compound to dry and harden according to the recommended time on the package.
Frequently Asked Questions
With leveling compound it is difficult to pour the correct amount of leveling compound in the right place. In addition, the leveling grid helps enormously to solve precisely that difficulty. You pour the egaline flush with the top of the grid. If you visually see that the grate rises above something, you can add some leveling agent there.
The thickness of a normal leveling compound is limited: it is usually between 1-50mm. This depends on the surface and the type of leveling compound.
You can find this on the packaging. Use the correct water ratio when preparing the leveling compound, as this is essential. Too much or too little water reduces the product properties.
Yes and no! With the Staenis leveling grid in combination with tiles and floating floor covering, you do not have to vent the leveling compound. In all other situations it is recommended to use a spiked roller, this improves the flow of the leveling compound.
The price of leveling compound varies depending on the brand, quality and quantity.
The average drying time of leveling compound before it has hardened enough for the finishing floor is between 12 and 48 hours. Most floors can be walked on after about four hours. The drying time depends on the type of leveling compound, the subfloor, ventilation and the thickness of the leveling compound floor.
Is it not possible to apply the desired layer thickness in one go? Then consider leveling twice. Before applying the 2nd layer of leveling compound, make sure that the first layer has dried out. Place a primer between the 2 layers of leveling compound. Always read the packaging for this, because this can differ per manufacturer.
Leveling compound drying may vary depending on the product, layer thickness and environmental conditions. In general, it takes at least 24 hours for leveling compound to dry sufficiently to continue working. Always refer to the product packaging for the specific drying time.
It is possible to apply leveling compound to a wooden floor, but you must take special precautions to ensure good adhesion and to accommodate movement in the wooden floor. Use a special leveling compound for wooden floors and a suitable bonding primer.
The amount of leveling compound required depends on the surface and the thickness of the layer you want to apply. To calculate this, first measure the length and width of the room. Multiply these two values to get the total area in square footage. Then determine the desired thickness of the leveling compound in millimeters. Consult the packaging of the leveling product for the consumption per square meter per millimeter of thickness. Multiply the area by the consumption and the desired thickness to calculate the total amount of leveling compound required in kilograms. Or use our handy calculator on our website.
Yes, leveling compound is suitable for underfloor heating. It offers excellent heat conduction and ensures an even heat distribution over the floor. Just be sure to choose a leveling product that is compatible with underfloor heating and make the proper preparations, such as applying a suitable primer and checking the heating hoses for leaks before applying the leveling compound.
Removing leveling compound can be difficult because it is a hard and strongly adhesive material. Depending on the thickness and adhesion of the leveling compound, you can use different methods to remove it:
Manual Removal: Use a hammer and chisel or putty knife to gently pry and remove the leveling compound. This can be labor intensive and time consuming, but it is an option for small areas or thin layers of leveling compound.
Use a floor scraper: A floor scraper is a power tool specially designed to remove hard materials such as leveling compound, tile adhesive and concrete from floors. This is a faster and more efficient method, especially for larger surfaces and thicker layers of leveling compound.
Grinding: In some cases it may be necessary to use a concrete grinder or floor grinder to remove the leveling compound. This is an effective method, but it can create dust and noise and can damage the floor below if you are not careful.
When removing leveling compound, it is important to always take the necessary safety measures, such as wearing eye and hearing protection, gloves and dust masks.
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