How can I level the floor of an apartment? Is it possible to level the floor with a rotating band? Which floor is faster and more profitable?

Modern floor coverings delight the eye with their design and interesting texture. But for any of them, be it laminate, linoleum or parquet boards, the subfloor must be absolutely flat, without drops or waves. If there are differences in height, cracks or other defects on the concrete screed, then before laying the finished floor it is necessary to repair and level the base. Let's try to figure out how to level a concrete floor quickly, correctly and efficiently.

First of all, it is necessary to carefully analyze the quality of the concrete floor. Using a level, measurements are carried out and irregularities are determined. To do this, use a water level or a laser axis level. The latter device allows you to create the most even horizontal plane.

The laser axis builder will automatically level itself, and in the “horizon” mode it will create an even, strictly horizontal plane

After this, armed with a tape measure or a long ruler, you need to measure the room around the perimeter and determine the minimum distance between the floor and the horizon. This will be the zero point of the new floor. In a panel house, measurements are taken only along the perimeter, since the reinforced concrete panel used as a ceiling is quite flat. In a private home, significant differences are possible.

After measuring the floor and determining the zero point, they begin to eliminate existing unevenness.

Alignment methods

The time has come to choose a method for leveling the concrete floor. Technologically, there are several ways to level a concrete floor. Depending on the existing differences and the required height of the build-up, leveling the floor with your own hands can be done in three ways:

• cement-sand screed;
• dry screed;
• self-leveling mixture.

To work you will need:

• water and laser level;
• rule longer than 1.5 meters;

Equalizing the mixture using the rule

• set of spatulas;
• squeegee;
• electric drill;
• nozzle for stirring the solution;
• bucket;
• beacons for screeds.

Depending on the chosen installation method, you will need a mixture to prepare the solution or a set of individual components.

Cement-sealed screed

Most often, home craftsmen use cement-sealed screed. To prepare the mixture, cement and sand are taken in a ratio of 1:3. For floor screeding, it is better to use cement grade of at least 400.

Leveling the concrete floor using this method is done in stages. It is important to follow not only the technology, but also the procedure:

This leveling method allows you to eliminate differences in height up to 5 cm.

Dry screed

This method allows you to level the floors in an apartment in a short time.

Dry screed organization diagram

The procedure is as follows:

Laying sheets of thick plywood

Important! It is necessary to provide compensation gaps between the floor covering and the wall, which will prevent further deformation of the floor when humidity changes.

1. The seams between the sheets are puttied or filled with sealant.

At each stage of floor leveling, horizontal level measurements are taken using this method. At this point, the installation of the screed is completed, and you can begin laying the finishing coating without much waiting.

This installation method has a number of significant advantages:

• there is no need to mix the screed solution;
• such a screed has a relatively low price;
• the work will require low labor costs, and it is possible to do the work alone;
• installation can be carried out at the desired pace and in parts;
• additional insulation of the floor is carried out due to a layer of bulk material;
• it is possible to quickly and conveniently lay engineering communications;
• if necessary, the project can be completed in the shortest possible time.

Self-leveling mixtures

Such mixtures appeared on the building materials market not so long ago, but immediately won the love of consumers. This leveling method makes it quite easy to obtain a completely flat floor surface. This coating is sometimes called liquid linoleum. After applying the self-leveling mixture, the floor can be used as a base for the finishing coat, or as an independent coating that does not require additional finishing.

Pouring the floor with self-leveling mixture

The self-leveling mixture is stirred according to the instructions on the package. After dilution, a solution with the consistency of liquid sour cream is obtained, which, when applied, spreads and forms a smooth surface without unevenness.

Please note! Differences in the floor on which the self-leveling mixture is used should not be more than 2 cm. Otherwise, financial costs increase sharply and the drying time of the surface increases.

Stages of laying self-leveling floors:

When using this leveling method, it is necessary to fill the entire floor surface in the room at once.

The solution is mixed in a handy container (basin or bucket) with a construction mixer or a special attachment attached to a drill. Kneading is done at low speed. The mixture should be homogeneous, without compactions or lumps.

Please note! All self-leveling mortars, regardless of the type of mixture used, harden very quickly, so you should not prepare a large portion of the mortar. There should be as much solution as you can fill in a short period of time at a time. The flow time of the mixture ranges from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the brand of the solution.

The mixture begins to be poured from the wall opposite to the entrance. To speed up the spreading process of the solution, use a squeegee. Possible bubbles and excess air are removed from the solution with a special needle roller. When performing work, monitor the air temperature in the room. It should be at least 5 degrees Celsius. The drying time of the self-leveling mixture is about an hour, but it is better to wait for the surface to completely harden for 2-3 days. Until the mixture has completely dried over its entire thickness, finishing work cannot begin. Small bumps that may arise are sanded with sandpaper or a stone.

Optimally smooth concrete floor

Leveling the floor with your own hands is a completely feasible task for a home handyman. You can, of course, entrust this work to professional builders, but this will significantly increase the cost of the floor. To avoid unnecessary costs, we advise you to study our recommendations and perform this procedure yourself. You can watch more interesting and useful tips in the video below.

Video: filling the floor with your own hands

Carrying out major repairs often forces owners to resort to leveling existing surfaces, and this applies not only to vertical, but also to horizontal areas. Proper preparation of the base has a direct impact on the durability and attractiveness of finishing materials, so this issue must be approached with all responsibility. Today we will talk about how to properly level the floor and what means are best suited for this.

Peculiarities

If you want your home to look aesthetically pleasing and not be embarrassing to show it to guests, then you need to think through and finalize all the details. This applies not only to the color of the finish or furniture design, but also to the neat and smooth appearance of the surfaces. It's no secret that “wavy” ceilings or floors most often catch the eye. Such defects can spoil even the most stylish and original interior with their unpresentability.

To avoid such troubles, It is worth leveling the surfaces that need it. It is necessary to carry out such work before you decide on the finish of the floor. This could be good old linoleum, laminate, parquet boards, expensive solid boards, soft carpet or tiles. All of the above coatings require a perfectly level subfloor. If you lay them on an uneven rough base, they will look sloppy and will not last very long.

You can level the floor yourself. In this case, you need to be as careful as possible. Under no circumstances begin work without reading the instructions for the selected material. Incorrect actions can lead to noticeable deformations of the base, which will not be so easy to get rid of.

It is worth noting that floor leveling must be addressed not only in the process of renovating a city apartment, but also in a private house. Modern manufacturers produce many types of leveling mixtures, which do not have to wait too long to dry.

In addition, thanks to the wide range, there are different ways to lay the leveler on the subfloor, so every consumer can choose the best option for themselves.

Materials

Do not think that only dry mixtures that need to be diluted with water are sold to level the floor. In fact, other practical materials that are easy and convenient to work with are also perfect for such purposes. Let's take a closer look at them.

Plywood

This material is the most practical in matters of dry leveling. Floor screed using such parts is less expensive, especially when compared with the use of special expensive mixtures.

If you are going to renovate a room with high humidity, then It is worth turning to moisture-resistant raw materials. In addition to good old plywood, you can use GVLV, MDF, OSB, chipboard or chipboard.

The choice of plywood base should be approached quite seriously. Depending on the height of the floor differences, sheets of appropriate thickness should be selected. The type of finish you choose and the method of installation will also influence the purchase of leveling plywood. So, for soft carpet or elastic linoleum, it is permissible to install sheets of plywood of small thickness. This choice is due to the fact that these finishing products do not require a perfectly flat base.

If we are talking about such popular coatings as laminate or parquet boards, then it is worth purchasing plywood, the thickness of which is at least 12 mm. It should be thicker, since the above floor coverings require the most flat surface for installation.

There are no phenols or other similar compounds in the composition of FC sheets. Such materials are absolutely safe for human health even at high temperatures. In addition, FC specimens have average moisture resistance and resistance to mechanical damage.

If there is high humidity in the space, then you should contact to FSF brand plywood. This material is more durable and wear-resistant. He is not afraid of temperature changes. However, FSF plywood acquires such good performance characteristics due to the use of harmful formaldehyde resins in the production process. These substances are toxic and hazardous to human health.

In accordance with GOST, the following grades of plywood sheets are produced:

• 1st grade. These are products of the highest quality. There is not the slightest defect on their surface. However, GOST allows for small cracks (no more than 20 cm), as well as the presence of minimal warping of the material.
• 2nd grade. For this grade, materials are manufactured in which minimal glue leakage and wood inserts are acceptable. On the surface of such sheets you can notice scratches and dents, which occupy about 5% of the total area of ​​the available surface.
• 3rd grade. Material in this category may have noticeable traces of wormholes on the surface, as well as fused and fallen knots.
• 4th grade. Such materials are of the lowest quality. They have many different defects that appear during their production. But despite the major shortcomings, veneer, as a rule, is glued efficiently and reliably.

Most experienced craftsmen advise using grade 2 plywood.

Among other things, this leveling material can be sanded or unpolished. This parameter is designated by the letter “Ш”:

• The designation “Ш1” means that the plywood is produced with one-sided sanding;
• “Sh-2” – double-sided;
• “NS” – unpolished material.

On sanded plywood sheets you can find designations for the emission class of free formaldehyde (as is the case with laminated chipboard):

• "E-1" means 10 milligrams for every 10 grams of plywood;
• “E-2” – 10-30 mgm per 100 g of dry weight.

Expanded clay

Currently, there are many different materials that are most often used in leveling the flooring before finishing. However, there are times when there is nothing better than preparing the base with expanded clay. This old and well-known material is indispensable in the following cases:

• If the difference in height of the base is more than 10 cm. If you install a classic concrete screed on such a surface, then its weight can form a serious load on the floors. Expanded clay is recognized as one of the lightest and most undemanding materials. It does not overload the floor structure at all.
• If the base is a reinforced concrete slab. This material is cold. This is noticeably noticeable in the conditions of the lower floors. Using expanded clay you can correct this problem, as it can make the floor a little warmer.
• If there are various additional communications or electric heating systems under the floor level.
• If the repair budget is significantly limited. It is worth noting here that leveling the floor with expanded clay will cost the owners much less than a heavy concrete screed.

The main advantages of expanded clay include the following distinctive characteristics:

• Environmental friendliness. Expanded clay, even under conditions of temperature changes, does not emit harmful substances and does not contain dangerous compounds.
• Durability. It lasts a very long time and does not create any problems during operation.
• Thermal insulation characteristics.
• Soundproofing properties.
• Fire safety. Expanded clay is not a flammable material.
• Resistant to temperature changes.
• Low cost.

Experts confidently say that such material is considered an excellent solution for leveling hopeless foundations. It is often used to tidy up foundations with holes and a slope exceeding 10 cm.

In addition, with the help of expanded clay you will not only make the floor smooth, but also provide it with additional noise and heat insulation.

Drywall

Drywall sheets can also be used to level the floor surface. It is laid on the subfloor only after it has been completely cleaned of the previous finish and debris/dust. In addition, to finish the base with drywall, it must be sprinkled with sand. It should completely cover all cracks and irregularities that are visible in the base.

The sand on the floor must be properly loosened and leveled thoroughly so that its layer becomes as even as possible and spreads over the entire area of ​​the room. It is worth considering that the sand layer should not be thicker than 2-3 cm.

If there are small depressions in the base, they must be eliminated using a cement-sand composition.

Only after this can the drywall be laid on the floor. Small gaps of 5 mm should be left between its plates. During this period it will be necessary to pour a sealant with special protective properties. The ideal option would be a special composition designed for ceramic slabs. It can be found in almost any hardware store.

Immediately after the sheets of drywall are laid out on the sand layer of the base, you need to treat the resulting coating with a special primer. It must be different deep penetration. After all the steps have been completed, you can proceed to installing the finishing floor material. For example, beautiful self-leveling floors are very popular today, under which a plasterboard leveling base is often installed. On top they can be supplemented with laminate or parquet boards.

Fiberboard

This is another common material used in floor leveling. Today, many consumers turn to fiberboard, since it is inexpensive and its installation is quite simple. To make such coatings, wood production residues (shavings, sawdust) are used. The characteristics and properties of particle board largely depend on the level of its density, which, as a rule, varies from 150 to 950 kg/sq. m.

It is worth noting that high-quality fiberboard has good thermal insulation properties, therefore it is often chosen as a leveling coating. Often such sheets are laid on top of a cement screed. Also, many consumers choose fiberboard sheets due to environmental friendliness. They mostly contain natural wood waste.

Such coverings are installed quite easily and quickly. Even a person who is far from repair work can easily cope with this work.

If you install fiberboard boards correctly and carefully, they will last for many years and will not cause any trouble to your household.

Mixtures

To level the floor, not only various hard and dry bases are used, but also appropriate building mixtures. They differ from each other in composition, drying speed and other performance characteristics. Let's take a closer look at the most common products that are popular among modern buyers.

Cement and cement-sand

These mixtures are among the most popular. They are classified as universal because there are many modifications of them. Thanks to a wide range of cement and cement-sand compositions, you can choose for any room and any operating conditions.

Currently, in stores you can find high-quality options for leveling the base, having different structures, different numbers of sagging and notches. Most high-quality cement compositions do not shrink.

You can increase the strength characteristics of this leveler using regular PVA glue. There shouldn't be too much of it.

But it is worth considering that hardening of the composition with an adhesive substance will take a little less time, which means that all work will have to be completed even faster. To do this, you can pour it in small portions onto different areas of the available space in the room. It is also worth noting that stripping putty with PVA glue is more labor-intensive. Some people turn to stronger tile adhesives. It will be even more difficult to work with him.

Plaster

Gypsum levelers are recommended for use only in rooms with a low percentage of humidity. They are also not recommended to be installed in rooms subject to regular temperature fluctuations. These recommendations are explained by the fact that gypsum mixtures are able to absorb moisture. This can lead to swelling of the base and loss of its useful characteristics. Such defects are unlikely to have a positive effect on finishing floor coverings.

A distinctive characteristic of gypsum bases is their vapor permeability and no shrinkage. Often, such a mixture is used in the case of a less than reliable sexual foundation. In addition, all factory mixtures are divided according to their main purpose and application technology.

Leveling

Such compositions are necessary for the primary finishing of a rough surface that has many defects and irregularities. Using such means, very strong and reliable bases up to 50 mm are created. As a rule, these types of levelers are applied manually. The material is used exclusively as a special layer. This is explained by the fact that the leveling agents contain large sand particles, which prevent the formation of perfectly smooth and regular coatings.

Self-leveling

Similar mixtures are used for finishing coating. Its thickness can range from 2 to 10 mm. As a rule, such a self-leveling agent has a viscous consistency. It contains small, finely dispersed particles that spread evenly over the required area using independent spreading.

There are special self-leveling quick-drying mixtures. To fill such a product, one filling material is sufficient. Often, a small work team, in which each of the workers is assigned one or another function, copes with the application of quick-hardening products. For example, this may be the direct preparation of the required amount of mixture, pouring the solution onto the subfloor, distributing it over the surface of the base using a special tool, as well as the necessary elimination of air bubbles using a roller.

Some work teams use a rotband to level the floor. However, according to user reviews, This composition is not durable and strong, therefore, its use is usually abandoned in favor of more reliable formulations.

Level determination

The floor level can be determined in different ways. To do this, you can use the following tools:

• Slatted bubble level. The standard line of this device is usually 1 m, but in stores you can find two- and three-meter products. These items are inexpensive, easy to use, and very convenient to use. In addition, bubble levels do not rely on electricity, which makes them self-contained and more practical. True, they cannot measure very large spaces.
• Hydraulic level. Bubble levels allow you to determine the condition of the floor only in small or medium-sized rooms. For larger rooms, it is worth purchasing a high-quality hydraulic level. It consists of special tubular vessels. In the inner part of this device there is tinted water, with the help of which the surface level is determined.

• Laser. It is very easy and simple to use. Most models are highly efficient. To determine the required parameters, it is enough to fix the tool in the desired position (to do this, you should read the instructions). The level will perform all other actions independently.
• Rotary. Using this device, you can not only determine the level of curvature of the floor, but also set and design the obtained values. As a rule, such high-tech items are used by professionals, which is why it is quite expensive.
• Optic. Such devices are more common for measuring territorial areas of the exterior of a room. However, this does not prevent them from being used in determining the curvature of the floor. Optical levels are in many ways similar to rotary levels, but their use in spacious rooms will give more accurate results.

Surface preparation

Before directly leveling the floor surface, it is necessary to properly prepare it. You should not neglect this process if you want the floor covering to serve you for a long time and without problems.

First you need to carefully measure the room in which you plan to level the floor. Then you can move on to choosing suitable materials and methods of laying them. During preparatory work, various problems associated with the flooring are often identified. At the same stage, the level of the existing foundation should be examined. For this, various levels are used, both liquid and laser (their list is given above).

Maximum leveling efficiency is achieved by using a material that matches the unevenness on the base surface. For floors that are in almost perfect condition, it is recommended to use high-quality leveling agents or self-leveling agents from well-known brands.

If there are noticeable differences on the base, then it is better to turn to sheet levelers or use cement-sand screeds.

Wooden covering

Over time, absolutely any floor can lose its attractive appearance and imperceptibly deform. This problem has not spared high-quality wooden coverings either. Over time, old and dry floors can warp and sag, irreversibly losing their ideal flatness. Unsightly gaps often appear between individual boards. It will not be possible to correctly and accurately lay out finishing decorative materials on such bases, therefore In this case, it is impossible to do without leveling the existing system.

You can give the board base a flat surface with your own hands using the following methods:

• scraping;
• leveling using flat wood-based materials (plywood, fiberboard or MDF);
• leveling using a homemade mixture consisting of putty for sawdust and natural wood;
• pouring special self-leveling compounds.

Most often, people choose to level such structures with plywood, since the differences between the boards of a wooden floor often become quite impressive. For such work, it is recommended to use a sheet of plywood of standard dimensions. It is cut into 4 parts. The cutting should be done very carefully so that delamination does not appear on the edges of the sheets.

After these steps, you can proceed to laying the levelers on the base. The joints between laid coverings must be above the joists. In areas where communications are located and in other necessary places, the plywood must be trimmed (also carefully to prevent delamination). After this, the sheets are attached to the base using self-tapping screws with hidden heads. This leveling method is not the most aesthetic, but for the finishing layer it is an excellent solution that will perfectly hide all the unevenness of the wooden base.

Concrete base

Quite often it is necessary to level in rooms with a concrete floor base. In this case, there are simple step-by-step instructions that will help you carry out all the steps to update the surface quickly and correctly.

If the concrete base does not have too sharp and noticeable changes, then it is best to use modern self-leveling mixtures, which are sold in every hardware store. As a rule, the main component in them is cement. To perform work with such a tool you need:

• fill the dry composition with water;
• Stir well so that there are no lumps or dry particles left in it;
• gradually (in portions) lay it out on the concrete (for this you can call an assistant to the rescue).

The self-leveling solution must fill absolutely all the cracks and cavities present in the concrete base, forming a neat and smooth surface. Such mixtures dry out quite quickly. You can walk on them after 3-4 hours, and after a day you can start laying decorative coverings, for example, tiles.

If the unevenness on the concrete floor is more impressive and noticeable, then It is worth turning to a high-quality and reliable concrete screed. This leveling method is one of the cheapest and most popular. The technology for installing concrete screed is primarily based on the installation of special beacons. They are installed on the floor (the distance between the beacons should be 500-800 mm), aligned in the same plane using a level.

After this, you need to knead the solution to the required consistency and add special plasticizers to it. Then you can begin laying the resulting mixture on the concrete base of the floor. When the screed “sets”, all the guides will have to be removed, and the remaining grooves will have to be filled with mortar. The surface of the concrete screed must be grouted, however You can start this work only after 4 weeks.

It will also need to be strengthened by treating it with a high-quality primer.

Before you start leveling the floor yourself, you should familiarize yourself with some simple tips to avoid serious mistakes during the work process:

• Avoid drafts entering the room in which you are leveling the floor. And if everything is quite simple with a bathroom or toilet, then in other rooms (living room, bedroom, corridor, kitchen and on the balcony) you need to close all the windows and close the doors (as is the case with wallpapering the walls).
• Never use ventilation devices.
• Be sure to adhere to the drying time of the solution indicated on its packaging/box. They can only be broken if the composition is applied in a thin layer. Two-layer coatings should not be “disturbed” until they have completely hardened.
• Before pouring the existing base, it is recommended to treat the entire area of ​​​​the room using a special primer. It is necessary to ensure improved adhesion.

• Use only reliable and high-quality tools, as well as materials and mixtures. Otherwise, the floor may not turn out the way you planned.
• Don't look for overly cheap and affordable leveling products. Too low a price may hide the poor quality of the product.
• Do not forget that the old floor must be completely cleared of the previous coating. Otherwise, the leveling layer may not lie perfectly, which will affect the decorative floor finish.
• If noticeable seams and large cracks are visible on the base (for example, between boards), then they must be covered with putty or the same leveling mixture. For such work, it is worth mixing thicker and more viscous compositions.

• Never neglect preparing the base. This stage is one of the most important in this work, so experts recommend taking it as seriously as possible.
• Always wait until the dust has completely settled while working. You can clean the room with a vacuum cleaner. Do not leave even the smallest debris on the base.
• Leveling the floor in a living room can be done with your own hands, but this process is not the easiest or fastest.

When starting to process the sexual base, you need to stock up on all the necessary tools, materials and, of course, patience.

Before laying decorative floor coverings, it is usually necessary to properly level the subfloor. To do this, you can purchase various materials and mixtures. Let's take a closer look at all the intricacies of this process.

Peculiarities

When organizing an apartment renovation, it is important to remember the need to level the floor surface in order to avoid problems in the future. Due to the unevenness of the base, it may be difficult to install furniture, so it is usually better to start repair work by leveling the floor.

Before starting the process itself, it is necessary to carry out preliminary preparation in the apartment, which begins with cleaning the surface. First of all, it is recommended to remove the old coating and remove cracks. Using a hammer drill you can get rid of the protrusions. In rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom, base waterproofing should always be installed.

Next, a special tape is laid around the perimeter of the room, which helps prevent the appearance of sounds. Once all the preparatory work is completed, the floor is leveled using various methods.

Options

Floor leveling methods differ in time, technology, and materials used. The choice of leveling method depends on how uneven the surface is. Regardless of which method is chosen, the goal of this process is to create a strong, smooth base for laying the selected fabric.

Using a leveling solution

This method of leveling the floor is distinguished by its simplicity and accessibility. Therefore, you can easily make the surface even, using your own strength, without resorting to the services of a specialist. Before you begin the process, you should consider the types of levelers.

There is a mixture for rough leveling. This type is used if the floor is characterized by numerous chips. Another type of composition is intended for finishing coating. Thanks to this type, the base will become absolutely smooth.

The essence of this leveling method using a special composition is that sand mortar, cement and special additives are used. The base is poured with this mixture.

But this method is not suitable for all uneven surfaces, but only for those with slight roughness. Most often, in the “Stalin” you have to deal with a high level of slope and this technique has to be abandoned. However, the method is well applicable as a final step after using a concrete screed.

In order to correctly level the floor yourself, it is important to determine the stages of work:

• Applying primer. It will help increase the level of protection of the base from fungus and mold.

• Dilution of the solution. The dry mixture must be mixed with water, following the instructions exactly to obtain the desired consistency.
• Distributing the solution onto the surface. Special tools will come to the rescue to remove air bubbles from the mixture.
• Let the floor dry. The drying process will take from 2 to 3 days.
• If the leveler was used correctly during operation, then the floor covering will always fit perfectly and can last for many years.

Concrete screed

Another option for leveling the floor is a concrete screed. This method differs from the previous one in that concrete or cement is used. The structure of the solution allows you to create a strong screed that will hide even the largest defects in the base. It is more advisable to use this type of leveling during renovations in a new building, since the materials are quite cheap, and the manufacturing technology has been proven over the years.

You can entrust floor screeding in a panel house to craftsmen, or you can try to do it yourself. Today there is a wide range of special dry construction mixtures on sale. They are made on the basis of sand and cement. Due to the large number of such products, it is very difficult to choose the right mixture.

All these products differ in the content of the binder. It is worth noting that low quality mixtures contain less cement and more sand.

It is necessary to know in detail the sequence of work for performing a concrete screed:

• Preliminary preparation of the base. This stage includes cleaning, waterproofing, and laying roofing felt along the lower edges of the walls.

• Carrying out marking. You'll need a level here. You need to make marks along the entire perimeter of the room and place beacons.

• If the height of the screed is small, then the beacons can be made from mortar. It is necessary to lay out a strip of mortar and secure it with tape. After this, it is important to check with a level that the screed is applied correctly. If unevenness is detected, excess solution should be removed.
• Concrete screeds can be of different layers. There is a single-layer type, that is, it is poured simultaneously over the entire height. This type is applicable in those rooms where there are no high requirements for floor levelness.
• Multilayer screeds are used in several stages. Most often, applying the first layer serves to give the base strength, and the second layer consolidates the result and gives the floor significant leveling.

Leveling with expanded clay

The use of this technique is associated with the beneficial properties of expanded clay. Among the distinctive ones are environmental friendliness, durability, and affordability. Leveling with expanded clay can be done in various ways using a combination of materials.

The first option involves combining an expanded clay cushion with the use of a cement screed. First, expanded clay is poured onto the base in an even layer, then it is checked how evenly the insulation is placed. Next, you should carefully lay the prepared solution.

To avoid shifts in the base, it is possible to make protection in the form of a mesh before starting to cover it with a cement screed. This floor will dry in approximately 3 days.

After complete drying, you need to remove the beacons and process the marks. Final surface strength will be achieved after 4 weeks.

Before this time has expired, it is necessary to cover the base with film so that the process of moisture release proceeds more slowly.

Another leveling method using expanded clay includes expanded clay concrete screed. This technique involves covering the floor with an expanded clay cushion using sand and cement. The third use of expanded clay includes combining this product with self-leveling flooring.

The easiest and cheapest way to make the surface smoother by dry leveling the floor. The advantage of this method is that you do not have to wait long for the base to dry. This floor can be used immediately after spreading with expanded clay. The sequence of work is quite simple. The expanded clay mixture is scattered over the surface and must be leveled along the beacons. The minimum thickness of the coating must be at least 4 cm.

Living in a house where the floor is leveled with expanded clay, you will not have to worry about retaining heat, since this material has excellent insulating properties.

Leveling the floor along the joists

It is quite possible to make such a floor with your own hands if you correctly master the installation technology. It is worth paying attention to the fact that this method of floor leveling is distinguished by its efficiency. The use of this method greatly simplifies the laying of various cables and wires.

It is better to take care in advance of purchasing the necessary tools for leveling the surface along the joists. To work, you will definitely need tools such as a hammer drill, drill, screwdriver, hammer, and tape measure.

It should be remembered that the room humidity should not be higher than 60%. The logs themselves must be dried and cleaned of dust immediately before laying.

The minimum length of the logs should be 2 m. Before fixing the logs to the floor, you should calculate the level of the future surface.

It is important to take into account the thickness of the flooring and plywood. Logs must be installed on beacons. The distance between the two beams will depend on the height of the floor covering.

The most current option for leveling the surface with joists is an adjustable floor. The operating principle of this method is that slots are made in the joists and plastic bushings are screwed into them, allowing the floor height to be adjusted. The bushings are fixed in the joist using several screws. Next, the logs should be attached to the concrete, on which you need to make marks for future holes. Using nails, you need to attach the beams to the base. Plywood sheets are screwed on top.

What's better?

Having considered the main methods of leveling floors, you should decide which method is the most suitable. Which method is best to choose must be decided based on the condition of the surface, the degree of its unevenness, and what type of coating you want to lay.

It would seem that of all the options, the use of a concrete screed is considered the most reliable method, however, concrete has a number of disadvantages, among which the drying time is too long. This leads to slower repairs. The concrete base is susceptible to cracks. Working with concrete screed is quite labor-intensive.

It is also worth remembering the advantages of this option. This method is used only if there are small irregularities.

In this article I want to tell you and show you how to level a concrete floor quickly, efficiently and without large financial costs in almost any room. And anyone can do all this on their own.

Preparation of concrete surface and materials

Our floor looked like this

Let's start turning it into something suitable for . (or other covering at your discretion).

We clean the floor from dust and dirt in advance. We fill large chips and cracks with putty. We treat the entire surface of the concrete floor with a deep penetration primer. 24 hours after priming, you can begin leveling the concrete floor. It is recommended to glue the bottom of the walls with a special tape, but this is not necessary.

To level the existing one, we will use the self-leveling, quick-hardening Osnovit T-45 Skorline mixture.

Available in 20 kg packages. The cost of one package is approximately 250 rubles. In order to level the concrete floor, we needed to level and raise the floor by about 1 cm. The area of ​​the room is 12 square meters. The consumption of this mixture is small compared to other manufacturers - 13 kilograms of mixture per 1 square meter, with a layer of 1 cm. To level the concrete base in our case, you will need 156 kg of the mixture, which means 8 bags. Just in case, we bought another bag of mixture, but it was not useful. At a cost of 250 rubles per bag, we will spend 2000 rubles on a room. Agree, this is not much.

In addition, we will need a needle roller with a long handle. Its cost is about 250 rubles.

Drill with an attachment (attachment 250 rubles) for mixing the solution.

And containers for preparing the solution. We bought 2 containers of 20 liters each costing 130 rubles. We will also need so-called paint shoes. But, since the nearest stores did not have them, I made them with my own hands. To do this, you will need two planks the length and width of your foot, and 12 screws each. for each and regular tape. We screw the screws into the board; when needed, we tape it to the legs. The main thing is not to do this ahead of time, so as not to spoil it in the other rooms.

Procedure for leveling a concrete floor

So let's get started. You need to prepare the water in advance, as the mixture begins to thicken quite quickly. Water consumption is 7 liters per 1 bag.
The work will require at least 2 people; it is difficult to do it alone. To level the concrete floor, carefully pour the contents of one bag into a bucket of clean water at the rate of 1 kilogram of dry mixture per 350-370 ml of clean water (for 1 bag – 7 liters of water). At the same time, stir the mixture with a mixer.
Mix until a homogeneous mass is formed. We wait 1-2 minutes.

At this time, pour the second bag into another container and mix, allowing the solution to settle in the first container. After 2-3 minutes, mix the solution in the first container again, and if there are no lumps, the solution is ready for use.

It is advisable to use the solution within 40 minutes. Be sure to stir immediately before use.

While one person prepares the concrete floor, the second person pours the finished mixture onto the floor, starting from the far end of the room, wearing paint shoes so that they can walk on the poured solution without leaving marks. Each portion of the poured solution must be rolled with a needle roller for better spreading and removal of possible air bubbles. And we do this with the entire quantity.

The entire filling took us 40-50 minutes. When the entire area of ​​the room is filled, roll it over several times with a needle roller. Removing air bubbles from the mixture to prevent further cracking of the floor. This mixture is good because you can walk on it in just 2!!! hours. And the thickness of the mixture is from 2 mm to 100 mm.

If the room is very hot, after 2-3 hours you need to cover the entire area of ​​the room with plastic wrap. This procedure is necessary in order to protect the surface from drying out too quickly. If this is not done, cracks may form.

Final works

After we have leveled the concrete floor:

Ceramic tiles can be laid after 3 days.

Parquet, laminate, carpet, linoleum, cork in 7 days.

The mixture finally dries out after 28 days. So, ours. This is what it looks like a few minutes after pouring is complete. Almost like a mirror.

And this is what it looks like after 2 hours.

You can already walk on it. This is especially true for walk-through rooms. A total of 12 square meters per room. m. we spent approximately 3,000 rubles and 2 hours of our time. Economical and very high quality.

In some places there were small bumps. This is a consequence of the fact that they were rolled poorly with a roller. But this defect can be easily removed with coarse sandpaper or a stone.

It is equally relevant for owners of apartments in old buildings and for residents of new buildings. The first ones are looking for an answer because the base coating in their living quarters is in a deplorable state due to already quite long periods of use (and, perhaps, it was never good, even in the years of its “youth”), but the second ones need to know this by the reason is that, despite the use of new technologies, the quality of finishing, even in newly commissioned buildings, is still far from ideal. While modern floor coverings sometimes require an almost flat surface. How to create acceptable conditions for them? What to do? How to level a concrete floor and what is the best way to do it? You will find the answer to all these questions in our review.

We evaluate the existing surface and select a new floor covering

It is worth noting that the alignment procedure can sometimes be quite expensive and quite lengthy. That is why, in order to reduce material and time costs, you need to be able to correctly assess the situation. That is, carefully examine the existing base and decide what kind of flooring will be used. As for the first one. The base surface may be different. Sometimes it is in quite good condition with the exception of some places covered with cracks. Or there are only small protrusions and depressions on it. In such cases, you can get by with little damage by leveling the floor locally, as they say, according to indications. If there are significant defects on the base coating, as well as huge differences in height, you will naturally have to level it from corner to corner. Now regarding finishing materials. Some floor coverings are very demanding on the base. Take the same laminate. Even a slight difference of just five millimeters can nullify all finishing work. A laminate laid on such a base can simply become deformed and crack at the seams after a year. While linoleum is not afraid of such minor defects. So it is precisely from the choice of the finishing floor covering and the very state of the base base that you need to start when looking for an answer to the question of how and with what to level a concrete floor.

Variants of irregularities that require elimination

So, what kind of concrete floor needs to be leveled? It is necessary to put in order the basis that has:

• Roughness, chips, various cracks.
• All kinds of protrusions or holes that are noticeable upon visual inspection.
• Sloping or differences in height.

Depending on the existing defects, the leveling method and the material needed for the work are selected.

Types of alignment

If the floor does not have any significant differences in height, but has some defects such as cracks, then they are repaired using a self-made composition or epoxy concrete, having carried out some preliminary work to prepare the base. Local protrusions and holes are sealed in the same way. Height differences are eliminated by dry screed, leveling with beacons or using a self-leveling compound.

Getting rid of cracks

Such defects can appear both on an old foundation and on a recently poured one, if the stages or requirements of the technological process were violated. Therefore, every master needs to know how to get rid of cracks on a concrete floor. So, you can’t just cover them up from above. Firstly, you need to carefully tap the entire surface of the crack, and in a very unique way - you need to drive the chisel as deep as possible into the defect using a hammer. Thanks to this procedure, firstly, you will be able to detect chips hidden under the defect, and secondly, you will create the necessary gap for the mixture. After the preparatory work has been carried out, you need to carefully remove all pieces of concrete, clean the cavities from dirt and dust, and fill them with water. After drying, the entire surface must be primed. The Grund composition is ideal for these purposes. Then you need to mix M400 cement with water. The solution should have the consistency of liquid sour cream. And then you should add liquid glass or PVA glue to it. The amount of additional ingredient must be equal to the volume of the prepared mixture. Then you need to fill the cracks with the resulting solution, wait until it dries and sand the surface. You don’t have to widen very small cracks, but simply seal them with any brand of tile adhesive, not forgetting to prime them first.

Filling up the holes

If the floor surface is fairly flat, then screeding is not necessary. All you have to do is get rid of the holes. To do this, their walls and bottom need to be treated with a grinder to remove chips and weak layers. After this, the pit must be cleaned of pieces of concrete, dirt and dust, filled with water, and primed after drying. You need to pour dry fine crushed stone into a fairly thin layer at the bottom, and then seal the defect with epoxy concrete. The domestic composition “Kleypol” is perfect for these purposes. Fill the hole with it so that the solution does not reach the top by two centimeters. After drying (after about an hour), we compare the surface using a special concrete putty. Experts recommend paying attention to the Elakor-ED brand.

As for the bumps, it is enough to grind them down with a grinding machine, clean them, prime them, and then level the surface using the same Elakor.

Dry screed

How and with what can you level a concrete floor if you have little time and don’t really want to tinker with solutions? Make a dry screed. This procedure is quite simple, so almost any home craftsman can handle it. The principle is the following. The base base is thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust. Then a waterproofing film is laid on it (you can use regular thick polyethylene). Then a dry leveling mixture is poured over the entire surface in a layer five centimeters thick. It can be made of expanded clay, granulate, quartz sand or even polystyrene foam. And on top they are already laid on the logs and secured with self-tapping screws either plywood, or fiberboard sheets, or moisture-resistant drywall. But it is best to use a special sheet material called “Superfloor” for these purposes. After dry screeding, you can almost immediately lay the finishing floor covering. Experts recommend that home craftsmen consider this method first, since you can level a concrete floor with your own hands using this method without any problems.

Beacon screed

Since it is sometimes almost impossible to level floors using less expensive methods, you will have to consider a method such as pouring a new floor using beacons. As for the financial side of the issue, it is not so scary, but the procedure will require significant time expenditure. In addition, in this case you need to have at least minimal skills in working with beacons and cement mortar. What should be done? First of all, clean and prime the base. Then make markings, preferably using a laser level, and stretch guide threads for beacons between the walls in the direction from the window to the door. And after that, install perforated guides along them on the floor, using cement (possibly gypsum) mortar for fastening. The step between each beacon should not be more than one meter. After which you need to prepare a solution of M400 cement (the amount of water will be indicated on the packaging), pour it between the installed profiles and level it using the rule, moving backwards in the direction from the window to the door. This screed takes quite a long time to dry; in addition, it must be moistened with water for the first three days. However, this particular method is quite inexpensive and allows you to get a truly smooth and durable coating. Therefore, if you have enough time and do not know, for example, how to level a concrete floor under a laminate, adopt this method.

As for lighthouses, some craftsmen leave them inside. However, experts recommend that you still take out the profile and fill the voids with tile adhesive. The budget, but no less durable composition “Lux” is perfect for these purposes.

Self-leveling floor

If the height difference is no more than five centimeters, and free funds are available, a leveling mixture for a concrete floor is ideal for arranging the base surface. It is quite expensive, but it is easy to work with, and the alignment procedure does not take much time. As for technology, you need to start, as always, with preparation. The base needs to be cleaned and primed. Then you need to mark using a laser level, drawing lines on the walls along which the upper boundaries of the new floor will pass. After this, you need to mix the solution according to the instructions on the package. The best mixtures for leveling, according to experts, are self-levelers Ceresit CN 69 and Ceresit CN 68, Vetonit 3000, EK FT03 FINISH. Many masters also praise the more budget-friendly domestic mixtures produced under the “Starateli” brand. So, we start leveling from the far corner, pouring the solution onto the floor and leveling the coating (according to the applied markings), first with a rule, and then with a special roller with needles.

How to level a concrete floor under laminate

Laminate is perhaps the most capricious floor covering, requiring an almost perfectly flat base. What is the best way to level a concrete floor for it? By and large, in this case, any of the three methods described above will do. However, there is another option. You can try leveling the concrete floor with plywood. Unlike the same tiles, laminate does not require the use of mortar when laying, so the presence of wooden sheets under this coating will not in any way affect the quality of the base base. But the alignment method itself is quite simple and fast. The concrete base is cleaned of dirt, primed, after which sheets of moisture-resistant plywood are laid on it without any fastenings (a thickness of 10 mm will be sufficient), and according to the same principle as laminate (so that the seams of the elements do not coincide, but are staggered) . After this, another layer is laid, but so that its joints do not coincide with those of the lower layer. This plywood is already attached to the bottom sheets with self-tapping screws. After installation, you need to go over the seams with a sander in order to finally level the subfloor.

A few words about the loggia

On the loggia you can also use all the methods described above. However, many experts consider it very attractive to level the concrete floor in this room using the same plywood, but on joists. How do they base their choice? Because thanks to this method, you can additionally insulate the floor of the loggia by laying appropriate material between the joists. Let's say polystyrene foam, mineral wool. Or professional, but more expensive TechnoNIKOL insulation.

... about the garage

It is quite clear that no one is laying laminate or parquet in this room. The floor here is usually made of concrete. The main requirements for the base are that it be level. And, of course, durable. How to level It is best to do it and then cover it with a special layer of hardener - the so-called topping - which will protect the surface from damage. The best compositions are considered to be mixtures of Caparol-Disbon, Neodur (Korodur), MasterTop (BASF) and domestic “Herkulit” and “Reflor”.

...and about ceramics

If you plan to lay ceramic tiles on concrete and the base itself is not particularly crooked, you can level the floor during the process by adding more or less tile adhesive under level control. True, this method is applicable only if the differences are no more than three centimeters. In addition, if you decide to resort to this method, you need to buy only high-quality, with improved characteristics, for example, intended for Ceresite, which is ideal for these purposes.

Conclusion

We tried to talk in sufficient detail about how and what is the best way to level a concrete floor in a given case. In addition, they touched upon issues of leveling technology and named the brands of the best materials used in this type of work. We hope that now you can easily choose the appropriate option for your specific case. After all, you already know as well as any professional how and with what to level a concrete floor.