Hardwood Floors February/March 2025

AT THE SITE Self-Leveling Compound Considerations (Continued)

Marketing aside, the majority of self-leveling compounds display the term “self-leveler,” a term used quite often, generally with varying degrees of interpretation. In order to successfully place a self-leveling compound, you need a variety of things, including, but not limited to, the right tools, the right conditions, and the right person.

SELF LEVELING COMPOUNDS EXPLAINED

floor covering will be exposed to. All are great questions that need to be answered. Unfortunately, all too often, many of these questions tend to be overlooked. Since we are considered creatures of habit, I am sure the majority of readers have fallen foul in regularly choosing their go-to product in the selection of their preferred self leveling compound. But does that one product really do everything? Answering the question, “What does a self-leveling compound do?” depends largely on these three discerning factors in the qualification of a suitable self-leveling compound. The first is the determination of the substrate to be covered. The second is the choice of floor covering proposed for installation. Third, what is the environment that this floor covering will be exposed to? Generally, the determination of these three factors will drive the selection choice for a suitable self-leveling compound. In short, determine the expectations in advance and see how many of these can be met with the circumstances presented to you. Let’s run through a scenario. You arrive at a new construction residential home. The homeowner directs you to one room in the home that will receive a new floor. This substrate is slab on grade, uneven

PHOTO COURTESY OF UZIN UTZ NORTH AMERICA

concrete. You now begin your onsite assessment by asking questions. What you discover is that no curing compound was applied to the concrete substrate. It was tested for moisture using in-situ RH probes a week in advance of your arriving on site. The subsequent moisture vapor reading was 95 percent RH in-slab. The homeowner wants to cover this substrate with a solid, prefinished, glue-down wood floor. On top of this, they intend to place a very large and very heavy billiard table. Lastly, they want to be able to use their new billiard table as soon as possible. The homeowner is very particular in what they expect from their new floor and what they expect from you. Sound familiar? Armed with these facts, you now have some clear expectations. The substrate needs to be mitigated for moisture vapor; you need to place a suitable primer coat over this mitigation, and then you need to provide self-leveling to create a flat and level subfloor base for your wood adhesive and flooring. And let’s not forget, the homeowner wants all of this done yesterday.

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