What Are the Advantages of Self Leveling Compound Basecoat Primer？

Introduction to Self Leveling Compounds

Self leveling compound, also known as self leveling underlayment or self leveling concrete, is a flowable material used to create a smooth, flat surface prior to installing floor coverings like tile, vinyl, or wood. As the name suggests, self leveling compounds level themselves out to create an even surface without the need for tools or manual labor to spread and smooth.

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Benefits of Using a Primer

While self leveling compounds provide a convenient way to create a flat, smooth subfloor, using a primer underneath provides additional benefits. Some key reasons to use a primer include:

Promotes Adhesion

Primers enhance the adhesive bond between the self leveling underlayment and the substrate underneath. This prevents shifting, crumbling edges, cracks, and other bond related issues.

Reduces Moisture Issues

Primers create a protective barrier to reduce moisture transfer between the substrate and self leveling mix. This prevents moisture issues like bumps, craters, and de-bonding.

Standardizes Absorption

Variations in substrate porosity can lead to an uneven cure and moisture pockets. Primers help standardize absorption rates for consistent drying.

Choosing the Best Primer

With an understanding of why priming is important prior to pouring self leveling underlayments, now let&#;s discuss how to choose the right primer:

Type of Substrate

Primers must be compatible with the substrate they are applied to. Most self leveling floor primers are formulated for concrete floors, but specialty primers exist for wood, OSB, and metal substrates.

Resin Type

Common resin types include acrylic, epoxy, and urethane. Acrylics provide basic sealing and adhesion, epoxies offer superior bonding and moisture protection, while urethanes provide the best durability and chemical resistance.

Key Qualities in a Self Leveling Floor Primer

Top Self Leveling Primer Reviews

Based on the criteria above, here are reviews of 5 top rated primers for use beneath self leveling underlayments:

Mapei Planicrete UA

Best moisture barrier protection

Mapei Planicrete UA is a 2 component, high solids epoxy primer for porous and non-porous substrates. It creates a thick film to prevent moisture issues beneath self leveling underlayments.

Key Features:

• Excellent adhesion and porosity control
• Reduces pH and moisture transfer
• Can be applied to 7-day old concrete

Pros

• Prevents virtually all moisture-related issues
• Compatible with nearly all substrates

Cons

• Very expensive
• Strong odor during application

KILZ Adhesion High-Bonding Interior/Exterior Primer

Best budget option

KILZ Adhesion is a fast-drying, water acrylic-latex primer and sealer. It improves adhesion on multiple surfaces at a very affordable price point.

Key Features:

• Bonds to glossy surfaces without scuff sanding
• Low odor and VOC content
• High build film resists suction

Pros

• Extremely economical option
• Low odor for interior use

Cons

• Lesser moisture protection
• Not for exterior porous substrates

Euclid Chemical Super Flo-Coat

Best high flow primer

Super Flo-Coat is a thin epoxy acrylic primer with exceptional penetration and sealing properties. It has very low viscosity to penetrate deep into porous concrete.

Key Features:

• Deep penetration to seal pores
• Pre-metered unit eliminates mixing errors
• Fast drying for quick application

Pros

• Easy roller or spray application
• Bonds to slick or frozen substrates

Cons

• Not for extremely porous or damp concrete
• Shorter shelf life after opening

Bulldog Premium Universal Primer

Best styrene-acrylic primer

This water styrene-acrylic copolymer primer consolidates porous or dusting concrete for better adhesion. It has very low odor.

Key Features:

• Deep penetration into weak concrete
• Binds loose substrate particles
• Excellent basecoat for multiple floor systems

Pros

• Very low odor
• Fast recoat time
• Single component simplicity

Cons

• Not for extremely damp substrates
• Lesser moisture protection than epoxies

Kilz Klear Multi-Surface Uniformer and Sealer

Best low odor oil based option

This alkyd-resin sealer penetrates with superlow odor compared to typical oil based primers. It provides excellent adhesion to multiple surfaces.

Key Features:

• Exceptional vapor blocking
• Bonds without scuff sanding
• Mold and mildew resistant film

Pros

• Forms superior vapor barrier
• Binds glossy surfaces easily

Cons

• Longer drying time than water-based
• Not as penetrating as epoxy

Applying Primer Prior to Self Leveler

Once you have selected an appropriate primer for your substrate and conditions, proper application is key:

Surface Preparation

The substrate must be cleaned of all loose particles, dirt, grease, and other bond breakers. Cracks and divots wider than 1/8&#; should be prefilled.

Mixing

For 2-component epoxy primers, properly mix resin and hardener as directed. Pre-blended primers just need minor stirring.

Application Method

Use a short nap or smooth roller, following spread rate guidelines. Allow primer to fully dry prior to pouring self leveler.

Re-Priming

For very porous substrates, a second coat may be required to achieve proper penetration and sealing. This prevents substrate suction from starving the leveler mix.

For more information, please visit Self Leveling Compound Basecoat Primer.

Conclusion

Using the right self leveling primer for your specific substrate and conditions is important to prevent flooring failures like poor adhesion, moisture issues, and uneven drying. Be sure to evaluate epoxy content, resin type, penetrating abilities and moisture protection to find the best primer for your project. With sound preparation, you can achieve excellent bonds and effective moisture barriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can self leveling compound be applied directly to concrete without primer?

It&#;s not recommended as it risks poor adhesion, moisture issues under flooring, and variable cure times. Use a properly formulated primer.

What temperature range is best for primer application?

Standard primers require a temperature range of 50-90°F during application and drying for proper film formation.

How soon can self leveler be poured after priming?

Allow acrylic and urethane primers to dry 1-2 hours before application. Epoxy primers require 6-24 hours before pouring self leveler.

Can primers be applied to damp concrete substrates?

It depends on the type selected. Check manufacturers guidelines, as some can be applied to damp concrete up to 100% RH.

How do you know if concrete needs a second coat of primer?

If the first coat fully penetrates without leaving a film, the substrate is too porous. Re-prime to build an adhesive film layer.

Gypsum-based self-leveling compound mortar is a green building material that is popular and widely used in various countries.

Gypsum-based self-leveling mortar is a self-leveling material for indoor floors that uses semi-hydrated gypsum as the main cementing material, aggregates, fillers and admixtures. It has a certain fluidity after being mixed with water.

What are the advantagesand features of gypsum-based self-leveling mortar?

(1) High leveling accuracy

It has high fluidity, automatic leveling and extremely high flatness, which provides more favorable conditions for the laying of various types of surface materials, thereby improving the construction quality.

(2) Not easy to crack or hollow, and the thickness is controllable

It has a better effect on preventing cracking and hollowing, and greatly increases the scope of self-leveling application.

(3) High strength, not easy to dust

It can be freely controlled between 15MPa.s and 60MPa.s according to different environmental requirements, which improves the adaptability of the product.

(4) Reduce decoration costs

Its high flatness can effectively reduce the amount of cement and sand used in decoration and reduce decoration costs.

(5) Good thermal insulation and sound insulation performance

It has good thermal stability and is not prone to cracking, bulging, etc. due to thermal expansion and contraction. It has a certain degree of elasticity after hardening and has a certain sound insulation effect.

Comparison with traditional cement-based self-leveling

In applications, gypsum-based self-leveling is mostly used for secondary leveling of thin layers, especially the laying of thin layers such as floor tiles, wooden floors, carpets and PVC flooring materials that require high smoothness of the base layer.

(1) Laying thickness

The thickness of the gypsum-based self-leveling mortar leveling layer and filling leveling layer shall not be less than 3 times the maximum particle size of the aggregate used.

(2) Material properties

The gypsum-based self-leveling shrinkage rate is low, no more than 0.02%, and the material stability is good.

(3) Finished product effect

After the self-leveling of the gypsum base is completed, the surface will be smooth and flat, and it will not be prone to cracking, hollowing, peeling, etc.

Construction method

(1) Gypsum-based self-leveling mortar is not water-resistant and cannot be used in humid environments or operated with water during decoration.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of High strength cement self-leveling compound. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.