I've had a contractor self-level a concrete floor. The result is extremely weak and powders easily when scraped with a ruler. What has happened and what can be done? The idea is to tile the floor, but that's probably not possible with this condition?
The easiest thing would be to file a complaint about the work to the contractor so that they redo the self-leveling compound for free.
It could, for example, be due to an incorrect mixture of the self-leveling compound.
Which manufacturer did the filler come from?
Did you pump or mix with a whisk?
Thickness approximately?
How long ago?
Is it white on the surface?
Which manufacturer did the filler come from?
- Probau bas
Did you pump or mix with a whisk?
- Mixed by hand
Thickness approximately?
- 10 mm maybe
How long ago?
- Two weeks ago
Is it white on the surface?
- No.
The simplest thing is to make a complaint to the contractor so they redo the self-leveling work for free.
It can, for example, be due to an incorrect mixture of the self-leveling compound.
Yes. But I want to understand so I can prevent the same mistake again.
From which manufacturer did the filler come?
- Probau base
Did you pump or mix with a whisk?
- Mixed by hand
Thickness approximately?
- 10 mm maybe
How long ago?
- Two weeks ago
Is it white on the surface?
- No.
Weird...
White usually indicates too much water
2 weeks then it should be fully cured
Do you have any bag left so you can check the production date?
If it is as thin as 10mm, it's a fairly difficult self-leveling compound application, so it's quite likely that one would overdose the water to maximize flow in it.
All the bags were from the same date (2025), so it was okay anyway.
If instead, one thinks about what needs to be done. New leveling compound naturally, maybe 1 cm. But what do you do with what's now powdery?
Would it be enough to prime it? Or does the powdery/half-hard need to be removed?
Raising this self-leveling compound again. The contractor says you can tile on this while I'm skeptical. It's not exactly a solid substrate. Does anyone know?
Tile directly on it?
Tile after primer?
Grind off and apply new self-leveling compound?
I suggest you call the manufacturer of the leveling compound, they are usually very helpful. I assume they will say that the compound needs to be removed, and then it is the contractor who needs to correct their work.
I suggest you call the manufacturer of the self-leveling compound, they are usually very helpful. I assume they will say the compound should be removed and then it's the contractor who needs to correct their work.
Unfortunately, the thread is still relevant. So I'm adding more info and learnings.
Contacted Combimix (the manufacturer) who said that all loose filler must be removed. Told the contractor who didn't listen and said that NCC in Solna told him that primer was sufficient. The contractor works at NCC.
So it became primer and new self-leveling compound 😬
Result, well after two days, I could start lifting off the new self-leveling compound with my fingers and nails...
And once a piece came off, the next piece could be picked away, and after a few more days and a broken nail, it looked like this:
So my advice is not always to trust and accept contractors' ideas for solutions if there is side information available. Naturally, it was easier for the contractor to use primer instead of removing.
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