we all should be using SLC,
in our everyday work if the floor is not flat "what do you do?"

i use a SLC.......

if its a concrete subbase and i just need to level i use any SLC.... they all doi the job!!!!

if its ply i use fibreplan....

if it has ufloor heating....i use fibreplan,

if its ply and ufloor heating, i use fibreplan.....

that said i am a fan of a product called TX500,
not widely available... but if you have any SLC worries/questions...i would be glad to give you a reply....


Lee..aka Dagger!

Originally Posted by dagger

we all should be using SLC,
in our everyday work if the floor is not flat "what do you do?"

i use a SLC.......

if its a concrete subbase and i just need to level i use any SLC.... they all doi the job!!!!

if its ply i use fibreplan....

if it has ufloor heating....i use fibreplan,

if its ply and ufloor heating, i use fibreplan.....

that said i am a fan of a product called TX500,
not widely available... but if you have any SLC worries/questions...i would be glad to give you a reply....


Lee..aka Dagger!

What if the floor is flat and level. I deal with flowing screeds which acheive a very high standard of finish if done properly. (I acknowledge not always done very well) Unfortunately I still see lots of levelling compounds used in more cases than is desirable un-necessarily. This is an extra element to the floor and as such is an extra risk that must be managed.

Originally Posted by Ajax123

What if the floor is flat and level. I deal with flowing screeds which acheive a very high standard of finish if done properly. (I acknowledge not always done very well) Unfortunately I still see lots of levelling compounds used in more cases than is desirable un-necessarily. This is an extra element to the floor and as such is an extra risk that must be managed.

no disrespect AJAX, i was trying to encite a post regarding the use of slc,
as you know.. i am a fan of yours and the systems you use,
i was thinking more sort of laymans, help the peeps deal with slc situations...oh and if it was flat, level and cured.....id tile it!

Dagger!

Working in domestic situations, I very rarely find a smooth and ready to tile floor, which means that slc plays a major part in my working life.

Today, for instance, I applied 12 bags of Ultra level it one to a kitchen floor in preparation for tiling. The floor fell away by approx 10mm all the way around a high spot in the middle of the dining area. I had to go over the floor with a 2m level to identify where all the low spots were and placed "packers" all over the floor to ensure that I actually levelled rather than just smoothed. I decided against using a spiked roller given that I was levelling around 10mm deep in most areas as I figured this would just drag the slc around rather than serve it's purpose of smoothing out trowel marks.

I was pleased with the results but would like to know how others would deal with a floor that fell away so badly?

Originally Posted by dagger

no disrespect AJAX, i was trying to encite a post regarding the use of slc,
as you know.. i am a fan of yours and the systems you use,
i was thinking more sort of laymans, help the peeps deal with slc situations...oh and if it was flat, level and cured.....id tile it!

Dagger!

Don't panic, no offense taken Dagger - was just wanting to promote discussion from the other point of view as well. I do agree that tilers generally will be coming across the need for SLC.

I guess the other important thing we should consider is that SLC's are not a case of one product fits all. e.g. as you know I don't like cement on gypsum and vice versa etc.

From my point of view and probably yours and most of the other pro's on here it is not just a case of considering the need for levelling but serious consideration for the implications and risks that they imply are needed too. These risks need to be properly managed.

in situations such as you describe where the floor fell away at the edges i use a wooden straight edge and screw screws into the wood to get over the bump I then pour the leveller and drag back the batten this helps level the floor out ,I also never leave the slc to go completely off, when it is still green I check it with my spirit level and shave off any high spots that may be in the leveller using a clean plastering trowel this normally gives me a good flat floor to tile on

if substrate is just pitted concrete, I'll normally just fill with addy as I'm going along,if there's humps and hollows, obviously I'll SLC it all

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

Working in domestic situations, I very rarely find a smooth and ready to tile floor, which means that slc plays a major part in my working life.

Today, for instance, I applied 12 bags of Ultra level it one to a kitchen floor in preparation for tiling. The floor fell away by approx 10mm all the way around a high spot in the middle of the dining area. I had to go over the floor with a 2m level to identify where all the low spots were and placed "packers" all over the floor to ensure that I actually levelled rather than just smoothed. I decided against using a spiked roller given that I was levelling around 10mm deep in most areas as I figured this would just drag the slc around rather than serve it's purpose of smoothing out trowel marks.

I was pleased with the results but would like to know how others would deal with a floor that fell away so badly?

Level it....

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

Working in domestic situations, I very rarely find a smooth and ready to tile floor, which means that slc plays a major part in my working life.

Today, for instance, I applied 12 bags of Ultra level it one to a kitchen floor in preparation for tiling. The floor fell away by approx 10mm all the way around a high spot in the middle of the dining area. I had to go over the floor with a 2m level to identify where all the low spots were and placed "packers" all over the floor to ensure that I actually levelled rather than just smoothed. I decided against using a spiked roller given that I was levelling around 10mm deep in most areas as I figured this would just drag the slc around rather than serve it's purpose of smoothing out trowel marks.

I was pleased with the results but would like to know how others would deal with a floor that fell away so badly?

i have been advocating (on these forums) spiked rollers for a long time,
if the plus/minus is 10mm use a spiked roller and flood the floor because the spikes are 10mm on the roller for a reason!!,

if the floor is out by greater than 10mm then you need to level and re level (as i did today) or flood/pump...providing the SLC is capable of the depth......nice post captain...keep em coming!

Originally Posted by dagger

i have been advocating (on these forums) spiked rollers for a long time,
if the plus/minus is 10mm use a spiked roller and flood the floor because the spikes are 10mm on the roller for a reason!!,

if the floor is out by greater than 10mm then you need to level and re level (as i did today) or flood/pump...providing the SLC is capable of the depth......nice post captain...keep em coming!

lee a spiked roller wont work if the leveller is 10mm thick all it does is get clogged and push the material around too much I dont think you can use a spiked roller any more than 6mm thick, to be honest i have one in the garage and rarely use it as i dont believe the hype

Originally Posted by Ajax123

Don't panic, no offense taken Dagger - was just wanting to promote discussion from the other point of view as well. I do agree that tilers generally will be coming across the need for SLC.

I guess the other important thing we should consider is that SLC's are not a case of one product fits all. e.g. as you know I don't like cement on gypsum and vice versa etc.

From my point of view and probably yours and most of the other pro's on here it is not just a case of considering the need for levelling but serious consideration for the implications and risks that they imply are needed too. These risks need to be properly managed.

the person who contacted me via pm, wanted a one hit wonder,
and you and i both know....there is not one.....so,
this discussion is about situs and solutions.....

but as i have said before...its a shame you wont come to London......i would give you money......HAND OVER FIST.....good advice AJAX!!!

Originally Posted by garythetiler

lee a spiked roller wont work if the leveller is 10mm thick all it does is get clogged and push the material around too much I dont think you can use a spiked roller any more than 6mm thick, to be honest i have one in the garage and rarely use it as i dont believe the hype

with all due respect, maybe a little more practice....ie take it out the garage?

i know you get drag, and thats the point, drag it off....let it set,
if that is not good enough DO IT AGAIN!!!!,
the major problem is people think thay can do it in a day,
i have seen and delt with more than most, and some times its a two part!!

if you explain, and the customer understands....you are doing the job right....if you rush it because....it will take a day.......poss....trouble!

IMO.

Dagger!

Thanks Lee & Gary, some useful advice.

I had a floor recently that was dipping all over the place so needed slc. It only showed dips of 5 mm 'ish and I spikey rollered it as I "levelled" it. However, the end result didn't seem much better than what I started with so seemed to be a waste of time and materials . I watched the relections as I progressed but still didn't get the result that I really wanted .

Gary's tips will help me get a better finish in the future but can anyone advise a quicker / easier way to get the floor flat, please?

Originally Posted by dagger

with all due respect, maybe a little more practice....ie take it out the garage?

i know you get drag, and thats the point, drag it off....let it set,
if that is not good enough DO IT AGAIN!!!!,
the major problem is people think thay can do it in a day,
i have seen and delt with more than most, and some times its a two part!!

if you explain, and the customer understands....you are doing the job right....if you rush it because....it will take a day.......poss....trouble!

IMO.

Dagger!

lee the reason why you rate the spiked roller is more to do with the product you are using it with than the tool itself ,all a spiked roller does is release air out of the leveller nothing else ,the fibre plan you use is such a good leveller that you achieve a good results, try using a 8mm notched trowel to apply the fibre plan you will get equally good results as using your magic spiked roller ,I have been levelling floors with levelling compounds for over 20 years and there is no miracle way of achieveing a flat floor with slc, if there is a large bump in a floor it is better to grind it out with a grinder cup wheel then put an even coat of slc over the prepared surface

Originally Posted by garythetiler

lee the reason why you rate the spiked roller is more to do with the product you are using it with than the tool itself ,all a spiked roller does is release air out of the leveller nothing else ,the fibre plan you use is such a good leveller that you achieve a good results, try using a 8mm notched trowel to apply the fibre plan you will get equally good results as using your magic spiked roller ,I have been levelling floors with levelling compounds for over 20 years and there is no miracle way of achieveing a flat floor with slc, if there is a large bump in a floor it is better to grind it out with a grinder cup wheel then put an even coat of slc over the prepared surface

in my posts i have advocated all your suggestions Gary,
fibreplan is my favorite, but there are situations where fibreplan is not viable, and i have used a product from WIKES, that said...
it still may take two coats....what i did today was with tx500 and was two coats...2hr drying time over concrete, 2-50 mm in one hit and £16.00 per bag!....half the price of fibreplan!

oh and a common mistake is its not just an airiator, its a spreader also....IMO

Originally Posted by dagger

in my posts i have advocated all your suggestions Gary,
fibreplan is my favorite, but there are situations where fibreplan is not viable, and i have used a product from WIKES, that said...
it still may take two coats....what i did today was with tx500 and was two coats...2hr drying time over concrete, 2-50 mm in one hit and £16.00 per bag!....half the price of fibreplan!

oh and a common mistake is its not just an airiator, its a spreader also....IMO

if you search spiked roller on you tube it clearly shows that a spiked roller is just for releasing air nothing elseSqueegee & Spiked Roller Video—ConcreteNetwork.com

i must say.....no wonder i was contactrd by PM!!!!
i tried to open a post to get the broadest of answers to the broadest of situations......cmon guys!

answer the original post....dig for gold later!!!

no offence lee, i think you are a superb tiler and really know your stuff but i really dont believe the hype re.spiked rollers and slc thats just my opinion

Originally Posted by garythetiler

no offence lee, i think you are a superb tiler and really know your stuff but i really dont believe the hype re.spiked rollers and slc thats just my opinion

and on a forum opinions count.....thats the point....

i know a bit about tiling, a bit about mapei product....and pretty much....


ZERO ELSE!!

Originally Posted by dagger

i must say.....no wonder i was contactrd by PM!!!!
i tried to open a post to get the broadest of answers to the broadest of situations......cmon guys!

answer the original post....dig for gold later!!!

Lee, your original post is a statement!, not a question!, people are answering your original post as they deem fit.....

Originally Posted by doug boardley

Lee, your original post is a statement!, not a question!, people are answering your original post as they deem fit.....

true, true.....okay...which slc...in what situation......
gary, has done me in......gotta go!!!!!

good nite and god bless all.......even you doug......and i have seen the devil costume!!!!

this one?

Originally Posted by doug boardley

this one?

thats the one DOUG....

god bless,

to you, the wife, and the boys
(show em the washing bucket now and then, young ens need a scare!!!!)

all my love to the family.....Dagger!

it's your thread Lee, do you mean this one with the wash bucket?

I see your son has a love of 'fishing' too Did he make his brother eat it after?

Originally Posted by doug boardley

it's your thread Lee, do you mean this one with the wash bucket?

Doug...if you were my DAD...i would not need the wash bucket!!!

the mans a LEDGEND!!!!!!

Originally Posted by dagger

the person who contacted me via pm, wanted a one hit wonder,
and you and i both know....there is not one.....so,
this discussion is about situs and solutions.....

but as i have said before...its a shame you wont come to London......i would give you money......HAND OVER FIST.....good advice AJAX!!!

Just cos I won't come to London - don't let that stop you giving me money.......just send me a cheque. - but seriously if you need any advice just give me a call. If I can advise and help I will do. PM me if you need my number. I do occasionally get down there but as it's not my patch it is rare.