Cement Self-Leveling Construction: Essential Precautions And Steps

As a new environmentally friendly flooring material, self-leveling cement is widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings due to its quick construction and high smoothness. However, to achieve ideal construction results, it is crucial to master the correct construction methods and precautions.

Preparation work before cement self-leveling construction

Before applying self-leveling cement, the base floor must be thoroughly prepared. First, use a grinder to remove impurities, sand, and dust from the floor, and smooth out any raised areas. After grinding, vacuum the dust to ensure the floor is clean and dry.

Next, apply a primer to strengthen the bond between the self-leveling surface and the base layer. Dilute the primer according to the product's instructions and apply it evenly to the floor using a non-shedding wool roller, first horizontally and then vertically. Wait approximately 5 hours for the primer to completely dry before proceeding to the next step.

Mixing and pouring of cement self-leveling materials

Mixing the self-leveling cement slurry is the most critical step in the construction process. First, accurately weigh clean water in a measuring bucket. Generally, the weight of clean water is approximately 0.25 times the weight of the mortar. Pour the clean water into a clean mixing bucket, then slowly add the self-leveling cement slurry, stirring with an electric stirrer. Stir continuously for 5-7 minutes, pause for 2 minutes, and continue stirring for about 3 minutes until the slurry is uniform and fluid, free of lumps or dry powder.

Quickly pour the stirred slurry onto the base surface and allow it to flow naturally. To ensure smoothness, use a self-leveling scraper for additional scraping. Note that if the construction thickness is designed to be 4 mm or less, a scraper must be used for scraping.

Defoaming and maintenance techniques during construction

Even with the addition of defoaming agents, self-leveling cement may still introduce air during the mixing process. Therefore, before the self-leveling cement begins to set, construction workers need to wear spiked shoes when entering the site and use an exhaust roller to roll quickly to expel air and avoid bubbles, rough surfaces, or height differences in the joints.

Temperature control in the construction environment is also crucial. During winter construction, low surface temperatures can slow the hydration reaction, while high summer temperatures can cause water to evaporate too quickly, leading to quality issues. The ideal construction temperature range is 10-25°C.

Maintenance and polishing after self-leveling construction

After pouring, self-leveling cement typically takes 24 hours to dry completely. Avoid heavy objects or walking on it during the curing period. Flooring can be laid after 1-2 days of curing.

For self-leveling as the surface layer, grinding and polishing are generally carried out after 7 days of curing. Use a grinder with resin grinding discs of different mesh sizes, starting from 100 mesh and gradually grinding to 300 mesh - 500 mesh to obtain a smooth and flat surface.

While self-leveling cement may seem simple to apply, it actually requires meticulous attention to every detail. Only through thorough preparation and precise control of material proportions and the construction process can we ensure a beautiful and durable self-leveling floor. With continued technological advancements, we believe this environmentally friendly and efficient flooring material will find widespread application in even more areas.