Leveling a concrete floor with epoxy

In some cases it may be necessary to level a concrete floor with leveling epoxy before applying a floor coating or an epoxy cast floor. Concrete floors with a coarse structure, holes or damage can be made flat and smooth in this way. After 1 night, the epoxy leveling compound has hardened sufficiently to apply an epoxy coating or an epoxy cast floor. We give you tips for the perfect epoxy concrete floor.

In this article we will explain to you in a few steps how to level a concrete floor.

Preparations for applying the leveling epoxy

Before you apply the leveling epoxy layer to the concrete floor, you must treat the floor with a primer. This promotes adhesion and eliminates the absorbent effect of the floor, allowing the leveling compound to spread better. Would you like to know more about applying primer? You can read all about it here:

• Priming concrete and cement floors with epoxy
• Pre-treating tile floor for epoxy floor coating

Make sure that the primer has hardened sufficiently and that the floor is clean and dust-free before leveling your concrete floor with an epoxy layer:

Set up a workplace

Set up a work area where the leveling compound can be mixed. Cover the floor with plastic wrap or floor paper. Prepare the following materials and tools:

• RESION leveling epoxy
• Drill with spiral mixer
• Mixing tub
• Nitrile gloves 
• Flat trowel 
• Squeegee (for rooms from 15 m²)
• Bucket with acetone to clean the tools

Preparing the epoxy leveling compound

Now it is time to prepare the material for leveling the concrete floor. Pour the correct amounts of base and hardener into the mixing bowl. In the table below you will find the quantities to use. Mix the resin and hardener thoroughly with the spiral mixer. Then add the correct amount of powder and mix it into the epoxy mixture. Then mix for 5 minutes, also mixing frequently along the walls and over the bottom. The epoxy layer for the concrete floor is now ready for use.

Method for leveling a concrete floor

Pour a line of epoxy over the floor, approximately 0.5 metres away from the wall. Use a stainless steel trowel or squeegee to spread and smooth the epoxy. Work the epoxy against the wall and into the corner with the trowel. Then work the leveling epoxy layer over the concrete floor using half-moon movements. Check whether the desired layer thickness is achieved. If the layer thickness is too large, trowel away some epoxy and if the layer thickness is too thin, trowel some extra epoxy towards that spot.

Once the first strip of epoxy is on the concrete floor, pour and spread the next strip in the same way. Repeat this until the entire floor is done. The epoxy will continue to flow for a long time and when it is chipped as best as possible, the floor will become completely flat. You now need to let the epoxy harden for at least 48 hours.

Next steps for applying an epoxy floor coating or cast floor

As soon as the epoxy leveling layer on the concrete floor has hardened (usually the next day), an epoxy floor coating, epoxy cast floor or a PU cast floor can be applied. See the following information articles:

• Finishing the floor with an epoxy floor coating
• Everything about installing epoxy floors
• How do you install a PU cast floor?

More information about the leveling epoxy?

After reading this article, do you have any questions about an epoxy concrete floor or the epoxy leveling agent? Or would you like to receive a tailor-made step-by-step plan? Please contact our  specialists and we are happy to help you!