Latex Self Levelling compound comes in two types, first the powder and latex mix type where you buy the powder cement product and a bottle/barrel of latex liquid to mix with it, or the second which is an all in one powder product which can be mixed with water.
I used the second type, the all in one, mix with water type.
I talked to several local tiling shops and 2 local tilers, they all said that the name on the bag does not make a lot of difference, the mix and the prep is the important bit.
To prepare a floor, first know the limitation of the product. I was levelling an uneven concrete floor in a 20 year old house. The floor was stable, and extremely dry. I hoovered the floor, then rubbed off any high points, or very noticable lumps in the existing concrete with an angle grinder. Then hoovered again. I then painted a mix of 1 part PVA glue to 2 parts water on to the floor as the glue directed for sealing dusty or porous surfaces.
Next I took a long level and found the highest point in the room. I then marked the floor with a felt tip pen to remind my self where the deepest of the depressions were.
I then mixed my self levelling compound as per the instructions, thought it was a bit too stiff and added a bit more water until I got to a syrupy, runny texture. I then spread a little self levelling compound on the floor with a 12" plasterers trowel anywhere the compound would be going. This would release surface tension on the floor when I made up the level.
Next I poured the self levelling compound onto the floor heaviest on the deepest points. I used a level as a long scraper working across the floor, the self levelling compound began to dry rapidly, so I worked as fast as I could. I filled the main voids and got the minor depressions level with cost number one.
I then left it 24 hours to harden. Next day, repeated the same procedure as before, again, using a level to form the self levelling compound, focusing on the slight depressions, smoothing a lot with my plasterers trowel.
I left the compound for about 30 minutes, and went to check it. In one or two places, I had over filled and created a ridge or a lump, so I used the edge of my plasterers trowel to gently scrap off the excess compound.
I then left it to harden. On checking the level is pretty much spot on, they are still very slight undulations, of no more than half a mm across a 1.5 metre level. The floor has hardened nicely.
A couple of quick points -
1. Self levelling compound does not self level, it MUST be guided into place using a trowel.
2. The brand is not a great deal breaker if you are a DIY at home person.
3. The instructions on the packet are not necessarily perfect, go by feel for the correct consistency, the description I found accurate was cold, runny porridge, or as my mate said, grey runny snot!
4. This is an amateur set of instructions based on my personal experience of using Wickes own brand latex self levelling compound, I found it okay to use, mainly as I couldn't find anywhere else that sold this stuff!
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Self-Leveling Compound Manufacturer.
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