Hey, is my thread being hijacked? I am a DIY'er who has family coming over for Easter, I need to get my kitchen floor finished.
The help you guys have given me has been greatly appreciated and I feel like I am getting close to a solution.
Back to my floor, I think using the Henry product is a better solution then the Level Quick, I don't know why these seemingly similar products have different rules as far as luan goes, but from my understanding both products can be used to fill gapes that are 5/8 deep and both are self leveling, for whatever reason the Hendry CAN be used on luan and the level Quick cant.
Do I have this correct ?
Thank you again for all your input.
John
If the Henry product says it's OK, then I'd use that one.
So if you plan on using a self leveler, you need to follow the manufacturers instructions very carefully...... and exactly.
After mixing as they say to........... do
NOT add additional water because you
suspect it looks too thick.
If the manufacturer says 5 qts per bag........ then use 5 qts. ......do not add an additional cup of water because
you think it need it. This is a chemical reaction you are creating and the ratio of filler and water needs to be correct........... to little bit too much water and the mixture can take a very long time to dry out.
Not enough water is obvious too. It might not flow out as well as it should.
I'd search youtube for videos of people doing this so you know more of what to expect.
Floor Maven already showed one of em. My old computer don't do videos very well, so I can't help find em for ya.
You also need a proper drill. a wimpy 12 volt cordless 3/8 drill will be overwhelmed. Get ahold of a 1/2 inch corded drill even if you have to rent one.
A flooring retailer might even rent or let you use a mixing container and the proper tools if you buy the floor leveler from them......... ask.
OK, since the leveler is relatively thin when you pour it, you should have done proper containment in advance. By this, I mean, be sure to seal the wall to floor junctions with caulking. Fill any gaps in the substrate where the material might flow into.......... like a hole in the floor for a TV cable. Pretend you are pouring water into those areas............ if it's not contained by barriers, the slow moving filler will continue flowing out into doorways or down wall crevices until the mixture begins to thicken.
You already know basically the thickest and thinnest places that the mixture will need to go.
That said, once you pour the mixture onto the floor, use a spreader of some sort to get the mixture spread out relatively even. Once it's close to where it needs to be, just let it do it's job. If mixed correctly, it will begin to flatten out without further assistance from you.
If you keep playing with it and it begins to set up, it will not self level. So just pour the filler on the floor and get it spread out as even as you can, then let it go do it's thing.
Kinda like pouring brownie mix into a pan. .......hmm, brownies sound kinda good right now.
Your doorways don't look like they will cause any issues.
If the self leveler fill ends up being a bit to low, you can use a regular type floor patch to do any follow up filling and blending.
Self levelers set up quite hard, so don't plan on sanding any high spots down later with a belt sander if you over fill the depressions.
