Table of contents
- Cleaning and testing of the substrate
- Ground leveling costs
- Save costs by laying your own
- Materials list for leveling the floor
- Alternatives to the conventional leveling compound
- 1. Quick screed
- 2. tile glue
- 3. Homemade leveling compound
Before laying the new floor covering, it is often necessary to remove any unevenness in the floor. There are several leveling compounds to choose from to even out very irregular floors.
Cleaning and testing of the substrate
In principle, the upcoming preparatory work depends on the type of subsoil. The nature of the floor determines its suitability for a future covering. The material of the substrate plays a key role here, as there are major differences between wooden floorboards, concrete, stone floors, tiles, screed or chipboard.
In any case, the surface must be cleaned beforehand. This includes, for example, vacuuming with a conventional vacuum cleaner and subsequent damp wiping. Concrete floors or cement floors should be brushed off, old paint should also be sanded off. In the case of old wooden floorboards, all screws must be tightened.
After extensive cleaning and checking for evenness, the new floor covering can already be laid. For this purpose, a primer is applied in advance if required. Very uneven floors require further treatment with so-called leveling compounds.
Ground leveling costs
If a new floor is to decorate a room, an uneven floor will initially thwart the plan. Stronger depressions are to be filled with leveling compound; a level floor is a prerequisite. Depending on the intensity of the deepening, different costs are incurred. The costs can be illustrated using a rough example. The following costs can arise, for example, when laying new tiles in a 30 square meter kitchen on wooden floorboards:
- Leveling compound: 500-700 euros
- Nets: 50-100 euros
- Loops: 40-50 euros
- Casting: 100-150 euros
- Total cost: 690-900 euros
Since the leveling compound causes a large part of the costs, the costs are largely dependent on the choice of material. Since every material has different properties and the processing is different, all alternatives must be weighed up according to your own personal preferences.
Save costs by laying your own
Stresses between the covering and the substrate must be avoided in order to achieve a perfect result. Not least for this reason, many property owners decide to hire a specialist. If you have the necessary tools and the technical knowledge, you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself.
Materials list for leveling the floor
If you decide to work the floor yourself, you will need the following materials:
- Some buckets
- Appropriate leveling compound
- goggles and protective masks
- spatula and scraper
- nailed shoes
- painter brush
- primer
- ruler
- agitator
- notched trowel
- vent roll
How much of the leveling compound is required depends on both the surface to be laid and the existing unevenness.
Alternatives to the conventional leveling compound
Do-it-yourselfers can also get along with so-called leveling compound from the hardware store due to the easy processing. It leads to quick and good results. However, there are numerous alternatives to the quite expensive mass that produce similarly good results. For example, there is the possibility of using screed as a leveling compound. Sufficiently thickly applied, it results in a robust and firm floor. However, the alternative comes with some disadvantages. Do-it-yourselfers can choose from the following alternatives:
1. Quick screed
The quick screed is a good alternative. It can be walked on after a short wait and offers even drying to ensure sufficient strength at all points.
2. tile glue
Tile adhesive is also suitable for leveling slightly uneven floors. Minor unevenness with a maximum depth of 30 millimeters can be easily filled with tile adhesive. In order for the tile adhesive to adhere sufficiently, it must be processed in a completely dust-free manner. The maximum build-up layer is ultimately in the product instructions.
Tip:
Basically, any modern flexible adhesive is suitable for height adjustment, provided that the unevenness is a maximum of 12 millimeters.
3. Homemade leveling compound
Although the products advertised in specialist shops have good properties, they often contain numerous binders and are quite expensive to buy. Numerous do-it-yourselfers therefore swear by self-made screeds. If mixed correctly, it is also able to level out larger bumps. The following materials are required:
- Water
- cement
- aggregate
- concrete mixer
- additives
A correct mixing ratio is necessary for strength and good processing. While leveling is similar when compared to traditional leveling compound, the drying time may vary slightly. Depending on the mixing ratio, it can last up to one month.
Tip:
A good screed not only provides balance, but also increases the load-bearing capacity.
Home editorial office
Learn more about flooring: laminate / vinyl / carpet
Cleaning parquet floors: this is how it works
Parquet floors only remain beautiful for a long time if they are properly cleaned and cared for. This article explains what needs to be considered.
Lay vinyl flooring - DIY instructions for vinyl laminate
The development of new materials is also progressing unabated in floor coverings. In the meantime, vinyl has blossomed into a real alternative to wood laminate or a sensitive parquet floor. There are many different ways to lay vinyl flooring. You can lay it floating like laminate or glue it over the entire surface. Self-adhesive vinyl tiles are also commercially available.
Laying direction of laminate: in which direction it should be laid
The laying direction of laminate has a significant influence on the spatial effect. It can visually stretch the room and emphasize advantages - but unfortunately it can also achieve the opposite. But in which direction should the laminate be laid to achieve the best result?
Remove scratches in laminate: 7 home remedies and tips
Laminate is considered easy-care and robust, but the first scratches often appear after a short time. A small stone under the sole of the shoe or even moving chairs back and forth is sufficient. Superficial scratches can be easily removed with the following seven home remedies.
Lawn care in March, April and May
A beautiful green and strong lawn is a very special concern for all gardeners. There are a few rules that should be observed. However, these rules also depend on the weather conditions and can always be changed.
Sword fern, Nephrolepis - varieties and care
Sword ferns are impressive plants that originate from the tropics. In this country you can find them as impressive indoor plants, with their long, feathered shoots. The light green leaves are on long stalks that can reach a length of up to one meter. The sword fern is relatively demanding in terms of care, although other ferns can do better. The choice of location is particularly important for Nephrolepis exaltata and cordifolia. This should be bright, warm and humid. The bathroom is ideal. Here the humidity is high enough to provide the plant with moisture from the outside...