tips for working with self leveling compound and recommended tools for the job
 

Considering applying self leveling compound on a rough basement floor in our rental property (built 1920). Our thought was to apply a garage epoxy paint on top of the self leveled floor. Two questions 1) anybody think it'll work? 2) will the self leveling compond adhere to a floor that has some reminants of a "tar like adhesive" remaining from the old removed tiles. This room essentially serves a a hangout for adolescent boys. Any insight would be welcome. I'm a newbie in posting.

The self leveling compounds are to soft for use as a finished floor---painted or not---Consider a ceramic tile floor on top---there are some nice and cheap tiles available.

Jiff Set mixed with Linewebers liquid latex will bond to old 'cut back' adhesive.

I am sure that there are other brands that are approved for that application.
some require priming before application to ensure a good bond,

Tools? A bucket---- a drill---a mixing wand---a trowel and maybe a iron garden rake.

Mix it to the instructions--if right it will be very thin and runny---pour it on the floor where you want it--very quickly smooth it out with the trowel or a screed board and then let it float itself flat.

work fast---after 2 or 3 minutes you better be done or you will have a mess. Fast that's the key.

also.........make sure all holes, crevices, etc., are plugged, because it will find them and run out.

I worked at a tile shop many years ago------A setter came in to pick up 6 more bags of mix to finish up a job---He was scratching his head--said he was usually pretty good at estimating how much was needed for a job.


I saw him a few days later and he had a funny story--it seems there was a hole he hadn't noticed---right above an open washing machine!!!!:laughing:

Customer got a new machine---setter got a hernia (and a very funny story)