How To Fix Self-Leveling Compound Mistake

By simply the name, it’s often assumed that self-leveling compound does all the work for you. However, since it appears to be easy to use and dries incredibly fast, sometimes mistakes occur.

The whole process of installing and spreading self-leveling compound takes a mere 20 minutes, not allowing very much time for error. Most often what happens is, you begin tackling a project you may not be entirely prepared for, and the end result is a disaster.

To fix a small self-leveling compound mistake, use a chisel to remove bumps so the surface is level. If you need to remove all of the compound, use a chisel and hammer to break it up. Then, use a paint scraper to remove the rest. Afterward, sand the surface with an orbital sander to finish.

We’ll outline all the steps to fix your self-leveling compound mistake and offer some tips to achieve the desired result when working with this product.

Self-leveling compound is generally used for smoothing out surfaces and prepping flooring for wood, carpet, tiles, stone, or other final coverings. It is a chemical mixture consisting of polymer-modified cement.

In contrast to conventional concrete, self-leveling compound has high flow features and doesn’t require an excessive amount of water for proper placement. When you’re planning to lay tile or any other flooring, it’s essential that you have a completely level work surface. Self-leveling compound has become an increasingly popular way to achieve this in very little time.

Before you proceed with fixing your self-leveling compound mistake, you need to understand what issue you are dealing with. Some of the possible problems include a surface that is too soft or even non-level areas of the floor.

If the compound is too soft, you’d be able to mark it with your fingernail. In this case, you need to remove it and completely start over. Whereas, if you’ve been left with uneven sections of your floor, depending on the individual situation, you may be able to fix it by simply sanding it down. Regardless, if the issue seems overwhelming, it’s always best to remove it and start fresh.

During the removal process of self-leveling compound, you should expect to have a lot of dust and debris flying around the room. Take the necessary safety precautions and protect yourself from dust inhalation by wearing the proper gear. Use goggles, gloves and a face mask to ensure that you are safe from any possible flying debris.

Additionally, you can apply some water to the surface of the floor. This will add weight to the dust and make it less likely to float around the room.

Based on your assessment, if you’ve determined that you only need to remove certain uneven sections of the compound, you can get rid of them by chiseling. Use a chisel to very lightly remove any bumpy pieces and make them level to the ground. Follow this up with an orbital sander or a similar device, to further flatten the area.

Quick Tip: It’s perfectly fine to make a slight valley in the bad compound as you will be reapplying anyways and can fill these dips at the end.

On the other hand, if you need to remove all of the old self-leveling compound, use a hammer to try and break it up as much as you can. Then, use a paint scraper to collect any of the remaining pieces. If your particular project necessitates some more heavy-duty tools, respond accordingly. The goal is to remove as much of the bad compound as possible.

During the entire removal process, make sure that you are wearing the proper safety equipment and continuously spraying down the surface with water to limit dust.

When you’re mixing the compound, you should strictly follow the manufacturer’s guide. Most often, mistakes arise because the compound wasn’t mixed properly to begin with. For best results, use a drill to mix up the compound and as much water as the instructions specify.

Cold water is best as it will lengthen the overall drying time of the compound. The end result will appear like a thin milk substance. Self-leveling compound dries very fast so once it is mixed, you should be ready to apply immediately.

After you’ve finished mixing up the compound, do not allow for any downtime; start spreading the compound right away. Depending on your situation, apply it to the areas where you have valleys in the old self-leveling compound or to the entire area where the compound previously was.

Once you’ve applied the first application, wait a moment for it to thicken and then even it out using a drywall tool. It’s important to note that when the compound begins to thicken, do not attempt to slow down the process. Adding additional water or heating up the compound can spoil it or cause breakages.

The product will dry and be suitable to walk on in about four hours. However, you should wait an entire day for the compound to dry completely.