If you want your new tiles to go down on your floor without the risk of them cracking, then you will need to ensure that the surface onto which they are laid is nice and level.

Materia Brown Wood Effect

Years ago, concrete would have been poured over the original floors and covered with carpet or rugs to hide the evidence. Thankfully things have moved on, and the introduction of self-levelling compounds has proved a life saver in those parts of the house where the floor might dip or need filling in, with the polymer-modified cement helping to smooth out all those bumps. Even better, self-levelling products can be used on a wide variety of substrates such as concrete, screed, tiles and timber floors.

Which is why we’ve created this handy guide to explain the quickest and easiest way to level your floors at home prior to beginning tiling.

How to prepare your room for levelling

If you are planning on levelling your floor your subfloor will need to be primed using a product such as Prime Time.

Before you apply your primer though make sure the surface is clean, dry and free of dust as well as anything like existing paints, adhesives etc as these can stop the levelling product bonding with the surface. Once your primer has been applied leave it to dry thoroughly before mixing your self-leveller ready to use.

How to mix self-levelling compound

• When mixing a self-levelling compound such as The Leveller always consult the manufacturer’s instructions in terms of ratios of powder to cold, clean water as excess water will affect drying times
• Then pour the recommend amount of water in a large clean bucket and gradually mix in your levelling powder with your mixing paddle
• When all the powder is added continue to mix until you have a lump free consistency.
• Once complete you can then pour onto the floor and spread using the smooth of a notched trowel.
• A spiked roller must be used on the newly-laid screed to release trapped air bubbles to stop them curing on the surface and ruining the finish of the leveller.

• We would recommend starting at the furthest point in the room and working your way back to the door to avoid walking over your hard work. If you are covering a large room, it might be worth battening off areas into sections.

All that’s left to do it wait for your self-levelling compound to dry and then the fun bit starts – namely tiling your floors. Why not use this time to practice dry laying your preferred tiling pattern?

Bellevue White Stone Effect

Need more information?

If you have any questions regarding selecting the right tiles for your home, then feel free to contact our Customer Services team using our web chat facility.

Recommended reads

If this has whetted your appetite to learn more about tiles, then why not check out these related advice articles:

How to set our floor tiles

What are the best adhesives for tiling a floor