Getting Started
Our prior tutorial (Module 1) shared how to prep concrete floors before self leveling. If you haven’t seen our tips please do so. Self leveling begins with prep work and can be a massive failure if proper preparation is ignored!
Prime-N-Bond primer was applied to the floor the day before and allowed to dry overnight. Priming concrete floors helps self leveler bond properly. Don’t forget this critical step.
Laticrete NXT self leveler was used in this basement bathroom. It’s a great product and will yield great results if you follow the directions.
Mix Self Leveler
It’s really important to use measuring buckets and the correct amount of water with self leveler (0:30). One 50 pound bag of NXT requires 4 to 4-1/2 quarts of water. Measure the water in containers and pour into a large mixing barrel.
It’s possible to mix two bags of NXT with our tool set up. Ardex makes a great mixing barrel kit for self leveler. It’s not cheap but comes in handy for projects like this. Five gallon buckets can also be used to mix NXT.
Wear a silica dust respirator to protect your lungs, we like Sundstrom’s respirator because it works and is comfortable.
Pour water into the mixing barrel then add NXT and use a mud mixer.
Mix NXT per Laticrete’s instructions; if the manufacturer recommends mixing 2 to 3 minutes then do that. Companies thoroughly test products to see what yields the best performance, so trust their recommendations.
Pour NXT over the primed concrete until it covers the Tapcon screw heads, aka height indicators (1:27). There’s no need to pull Tapcons from the floor because self leveler should cover them.
PRO TIP: Always have more self leveler than required, it’s surprising how much leveler is needed for a project!
Use a floor squeegee to move self leveler into the corners (2:05). Once the self leveler sets up it will become a monolithic surface on top of the concrete floor. Remove any 2x4s at the doorway or shower using a reciprocating saw.
Self leveler makes setting bathtubs, toilets, vanities, and tile so much easier.
What Could Go Wrong?
This section addresses the Top 5 mistakes that you could make:
- Incorrect measuring: improper water content can make leveler perform poorly
- Not mixing leveler: follow directions and mix leveler for the correct timeframe
- Forgetting respirator: wear a silica dust respirator while mixing leveler
- Ignoring squeegee: leveler needs squeegeed into corners
- Skipping cure time: allow leveler to cure properly before tub or shower installation
Tool and Material List
- NXT Self Leveler
- Floor Squeegee
- Measuring Bucket
- Cordless Mud Mixer (Tool Only)
- Corded Mud Mixer
- Mixing Paddle
- Shop Vac
- Hammer
- Reciprocating Saw
- Silica Dust Respirator
Questions for Tutors
If you’re reading this you’re the first to view our new course.
How cool is that!!
We’d love your thoughts:
- What did you like and what did you dislike?
- Should we add pictures to clarify certain points?
- Do you like having a ‘Comments’ section for Q & A?
- Would you like the written instructions in the form of a printable PDF?
Add your thoughts to the comment section below and we’ll respond.
Best regards,
Jeff and Steve
P.S. Many thanks to Jerome McManus, Connie Tucker, Henry Zaczek, Helmut, Ken Bronson, Edie Boyer, Shaun Hicks, Carolyn Sears, Aram Gerstein, Alicia Allen and Mike for their great feedback of Module 1!
Great module#2,I’m a newbie tutor,I’d like to add mixing buckets can be very dusty ,it goes everywhere ,I’m using this shop vac. Attachment ..Its called whaletale ,keeps dust out of your lungs,in conjunction w a respirator, we will try to add a link,got mine on amazon,but jeff may also clue us all in,
Whaletales are great, Amazon does have them. We met the creator and he’s a great guy.
Yes to helpful pics,…I’m very visual learner,…yes to Q+A,commenting ,specific materials and tools to make these jobs better ..BIG THANKS
Awesome, thanks Mark. Having a comment section for each Module is making more sense. Originally we didn’t have Modules and that made it difficult to moderate comments. Courses make it easier.
Very Cool. Great Job to two real cool cats, Jeff and Steve! I thought the video was very clear in showing what to do with the leveler and emphasized all the points you listed to do the process correctly. I feel like I could do this after watching this video and reading the directions.
I think you should provide your instructions in pdf form. People have different learning modalities and having the video as well as the print helps to hammer home what you want them to do.
I also like the idea of pictures used as an added learning tool. It continues to build clarity.
A comments section may be useful. I have to give that some more thought. If it is just for questions, maybe- I have seen some comment sections go on endlessly with inane remarks from various people and it usually ends in name calling. Distracting.
I hope you find this helpful. Thanks, Connie
Very helpful Connie, and thank your for the kind words. We also like PDFs. That way the viewer can print the instructions and have them as reference. We were also thinking of instructions with pictures and without pictures. That way folks can save money on printer ink, which is a major sore spot for us, lol. Comments can be a downward spiral. But we could police it for inappropriate content or name calling.
Since forgetting to wear the filter can have life changing health effects that should be placed first on the list of things that can go wrong.
The PDF is a great idea.
Hi, Jeff/Steve
Thanks again for the opportunity in allowing for comments on Module 2. You both have a great setup here. Here are my thoughts/responses below after reviewing the instructions and video. Thanks! Edie Boyer
What did you like and what did you dislike?
Likes:
° As with module 1, having high level step by step, along with video is beneficial. One other thing, the video was short and to the point. Not sure if that is the intent with the tutorial, but I do like the idea of bathroom remodel broken into a number of short sections (as opposed to one loooooong video) as there may be folks (like me) that may not have the luxury to watch in one sitting and digest all of the information at once. When a refresher is needed, the individual can find the specific section quickly, without having to go through the long video to re-review the steps. Something to consider.
° Providing “Pro tips” is great in giving the individual some things to consider and be aware of when doing the project.
Should we add pictures to clarify certain points?
Again, I tend to view the video as being more helpful as opposed to viewing picture.
Do you like having a ‘Comments’ section for Q & A?
Having a Comments section (or Dialog) would be great – I know I would definitely use this option in the event I have questions when doing a remodel.
Would you like the written instructions in the form of a printable PDF?
Having printable PDF would be a nice option for someone going through a remodel the first time (or however many times) as a reference.