Self-levelling a floor - The Complete Guide

This video covers everything you need to know to pour self-levelling concrete and get a perfect finish on an uneven floor. It covers preparation, priming, mixing and pouring.

[MrFatboyRuns]

Why have you only uploaded 3 videos? Mate you're the best DIY explainer I've seen on YouTube!

[tititata]

I was going to diy this job and came across 5 good youtube videos. Then i came across the best and truly complete one. I unsaved the earlier 5. One great video is all i need. Thank you.

[donproctor]

a friend of mine does all types of stone/tile work. He said if doing a large job with many bucket mixings, fill a bucket to the exact amount of water then drill a hole at the top level. you'll always have the correct amount of water to pour into mixing bucket.

[renecaron]

Learn from my mistake! My son and I were pouring self levelling concrete over newly laid 3/4" plywood to lay down a concrete floor for a bathroom (to be tiled). I mixed and my son poured and spread. We needed 8 bags of cement. The problem was the cement started to set rather quickly, after about 15 minutes. So when my son poured freshly mixed concrete it refused to meld with the setting concrete and created lumps and dents. It took me half a day to grind off a big bump in the floor. Plus we had to do another corrective pour to fill an area that was lower (a big dent). This all could have been avoided if a) 1 mixed 2 bags at once in a larger container like a garbage can, mixing one bucket at a time was too slow, you need to have as much liquidy cement on the floor as possible 2) had we had a spiked roller to even the edges and 3) watched this video.

[christlg]

I love your no no-nonsense approach and your sense of humour. I think this is the best video for doing this on the web and no annoying music while you talk so you can hear what you're saying.

[dejayajay]

Pretty good video - you covered just about everything, and clearly. A couple of points I'd add: #1 / I totally agree with the viewer who said you need a person mixing and helping with the carrying, so that the spreader can concentrate on that. You want as much as possible of the area to be runny at the same time. Once the compound starts to firm up, you will have lost the opportunity to achieve a truly level floor. YOU DON'T GET A SECOND CHANCE with this stuff. #2/ The spiked roller is almost essential if you want a really smooth and level finish. The spikes constantly break the surface tension, HUGELY aiding the leveling process. The difference between spiked rolling, and trowelling only, has to be experienced to be believed. I have tried both, and I will NEVER again do a project without the spiked roller. 3/ Spiked shoe bases again are highly recommended, if at all possible, as you can walk all over the job without leaving craters, that may or may not level up properly. #4 / Don't try to feather out any edges to a zero thickness, certainly if the leveller is intended to be your finished surface. Apart from that .. happy levelling. It's a great addition to the building game.

[jasaucedo]

I didn't want to do do floor leveling but this guy got me fired up to do it. I love how he uses tools that us DIYers would grab from around the house, it makes it so much more relatable.

[dominicsilvestro]

This is one of the best videos I have seen. Incredibly in depth and very well explained. Plus, for your American friends (me) I truly appreciate the conversion from Meters to Feet etc.

[christopherfortney]

I've always wondered why the primer was necessary. Your explanation is exemplary. Thank you. It makes total sense that an unprimed floor would sap the water too fast for a good cure. Exelent advice that got you a new sub!

[WolvesValleyFarm]

How have you only made 3 videos like 6 years ago? Seriously. this has to be the best explanation for self leveling cement I have found.

[infraprods]

A couple of things you might want to consider for priming. On a rough floor like the one in the video you should use a stiff bristle broom instead of a roller. The reason for this is that no matter how carefully you sweep a dusty concrete floor there will always be a residue. By using a broom and scrubbing in the primer you actually incorporate the dust into the primer instead of just rolling over it. It really makes a big difference in the bond strength.. Oh and a convenience tip - instead of pouring the primer directly on the floor, put it into a bug sprayer and spray onto the floor prior to brooming it in. It's neater and prevents puddling.

[missjsews]

"Ribbed - but not for my pleasure" 😂🤣.Alex is clear, concise, informative, and funny. Great video.Thanks for posting.

[John-wfyh]

Great job! Handy tip I’ve used before is getting a flat disc on a 9” grinder and just going over the floor for half an hour taking of the high bits, also with mixing I’ll normally add half a bag and give it a quick mix, then add a quarter, mix that then add what’s left, just means you’re not fighting a big lump in the middle, keep up the good work!!

[leeandrew]

The white gloss on the black bucket has earned a sub straight away.

[gatordunn]

Subscribed im a builder and this is still the best renovation video i have seen. Great details

[kyleadamsdrums]

this was an encouraging video to see that 1 person can do such a large room by themself. I have a 500 sqft room I am doing this weekend and have about 35 bags I will be doing. Pumped!

[RoundTownWithMike]

We get three guys on the job. One is the "Mixer" one is moving material and pouring it out and a third guy is there to clean as we go and make sure the other two guys have what they need at all times. This makes the process go quickly and in a clean and organized fashion. Nothing worse that getting too rushed, dirty or have to stop to clean or do anything but the job at hand. It is beautiful in the end!

[JamesJohnson-zccr]

If you use a piece of wire e.g. cut up a wire coat hanger and hang it over the internal edge of the bucket at the required level you are guaranteed the correct amount of liquid every time without having to search for the measure mark. This works particularly well for mixing coloured 2 pack mixes where you cannot see the measure marks. You just make 2 measure wires. One for part A and one for part B.

[regina]

I've no plans to self level a floor yet still watched it from start to finish. Great detailed video.

[donkeyhole]

I am just going to say, we should see more of you. There are probably 1000 things you can teach. Not just entire projects but also little things as well. This video was a great start to a channel.