When investing in new commercial flooring, the secret to a perfect, long-lasting finish lies just beneath the surface. Skipping proper subfloor preparation can cause costly repairs and renovations. That’s where self-leveling underlayment (SLU) comes in. SLU is a rapid-setting, high-flow compound engineered to eliminate sips and substrate imperfections with microscopic precision. 

At ACT Restoration, we have spent years perfecting the highly technical SLU application process for our Minnesota clients. Our expert technicians ensure your subfloor is perfectly primed and leveled to set your new commercial flooring up for success.

What is Self-Leveling Underlayment for Commercial Floor Prep?

Self-leveling underlayment (SLU) is a special compound made of polymer-modified cementitious materials. It is used to create a perfectly flat, smooth, and durable subfloor before installing finished flooring, such as tile or vinyl. Unlike traditional concrete, which requires manual troweling and shaping, SLU has high-flow properties that allow it to behave almost like a liquid. Using gravity, it automatically flows into dips, low spots, and floor depressions, smoothing itself out with minimal assistance. 

SLU also sets rapidly, usually in just a few hours, and can be ready for final flooring installation after 1 to 3 days. And because SLU is extremely durable, it can handle both foot traffic, heavy weight, and rolling loads. 

Why is Self-Leveling Floor Prep Essential?

Self-leveling floor prep is not the final floor; it is the subfloor to your next layer of flooring. It is designed to fix substrate imperfections and set up your new floor for success. The self-leveling floor prep process is essential for installing materials such as: 

  • Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
  • Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
  • Epoxy Coatings

Self-leveling floor prep can also be used for ceramic tile application, which makes it much easier for you or your contractor to lay tile on a flat, even surface. 

What Happens If I Don’t Level My Subfloor?

Installing LVT or LVP over an uneven subfloor can lead to accelerated wear, aesthetic damage, and structural damage. Uncorrected subfloors cause uneven weight distribution, which weakens the locking mechanisms or adhesive bonds of yoru new flooring over time. Skipping the subfloor leveling process can mean wasted money on floor repairs down the road, much sooner than originally anticipated.

How does the Self-Leveling Process Differ from Pouring New Concrete Floors?

Pouring new concrete is very different from self-leveling underlayment. Concrete requires heavy manual shaping and structural reinforcement. Additionally, self-leveling underlayment is not intended to be the standalone floor, while concrete can form the foundation of a building. 

Some of the key differences between pouring new concrete and self-leveling underlayment include: 

  • Different flow and consistency
  • Thickness limits–concrete needs at least 3 to 4 inches of depth for structural integrity
  • Concrete requires more manual effort than SLU
  • Concrete takes 24 to 48 hours to walk on and a full 28 days to reach complete structural strength

ACT Restoration’s Floor Prep Process

Applying self-leveling underlayment requires speed and precise preparation because the material sets so quickly. ACT Restoration’s years of experience with SLU have helped us finely tune a subfloor prep process, which looks like this: 

  • Seal the perimeter of the floor to keep the self-leveler from reaching unintended areas. 
  • Roll a special substrate primer onto the clean subfloor. 
  • Mix the self-leveling powders with the exact water measurements using a heavy-duty drill and paddle mixers. 
  • Using a long rake or flat trowel, the technician will guide the self-leveler to ensure it reaches all the corners. 
  • A spiked roller is used to break surface tension and release any trapped air bubbles, helping to create a smooth, finished surface. 

Request a Free Estimate for Your Commercial Floor Project

ACT Restoration provides our Minnesota clients with exceptional self-leveling services to help prep for the installation of new LVT/LVP. Since 2012, we’ve helped many commercial clients restore their floors, saving them time and effort and reducing costs. Whether you need a self-leveling underlayment or existing concrete floor restoration, ACT Restoration is here to help!

Ready to prep your floors the right way?