Self Leveler for Tile Over a Large Area

Last weekend we finished pouring the fourth and final quadrant of self leveling underlayment over the radiant heating wires in the basement gameroom.  The total floorspace in the area is about 1000 sq. ft.  This pour constituted the last 250 sq. ft., and the second largest pour of the four we’ve made.  When finished, we plan to install a ceramic or natural stone tile (e.g. slate) in the area.  For... 

Prime a Cement Slab for Self Leveler (LevelQuik ES)

We’re finishing up the 4th quadrant of our basement electric radiant heating installation.  To recap the project, we’re installing electric radiant heating wire over a cement slab in a 1000 square foot area.  After laying the heating element, we’re encasing the wire in 3/8-inch self leveling underlayment (LevelQuik ES), which will be topped with Schluter Ditra, and then with some... 

Level an Uneven Subfloor for Vinyl Tile

The following question on leveling a subfloor for vinyl tile was sent in by Roman: I want to put vinyl tiles in my living room and bedroom, and this requires that the floor is smooth and horizontal enough. The subfloor is not too bad, I think. It is largely pretty smooth; however, it is too uneven for me to be able to place a chair or table so that they wouldn’t bounce. I hope there is a cheaper... 

Self Leveling Underlayments – Achieving Level

Our basement radiant heated flooring install required us to pour a self-leveling underlayment (aka self-leveling mortar or self-leveling cement) over the ThermoTile radiant heating wire to achieve a level surface for tiling. I’ll say up front, our results were not perfect, but I don’t think it is the fault of the product. Read further for details. Our Choice: LevelQuik ES We chose Custom’s... 

Washington Area Tile Contractor Review (Sita Tile)

Back in February I wrote about my attempt to find a distributor who would sell me Custom Building Product’s LevelQuik ES underlayment. Most suppliers wanted a business license or Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) number to make a deal. As a DIYer, I have neither. Of course, I tried the big box. Big orange wanted $34/bag + delivery charge to get the product for me. Others I contacted... 

Basement Project Progress

I finally had a breakthrough on the basement project. Hopefully, you’ll be seeing a video here next week. The next step in the project requires that I pour an extended setting self-leveling mortar over the radiant heating elements glued to the slab. I’ve been unable to find a retailer who was willing to sell me the only suitable product I could find for the job: Custom Building Product’s...