What causes Holes in Self-Levelling Compound?

Self-levelling compound is supposed to be the superhero of the DIY world, swooping in to save the day with its smooth and level surface. But sometimes, even superheroes have their off days and end up with a few holes in their armor… er, surface. And if you’re not careful, those air bubbles can wreak havoc and leave you with pinholes in your perfect finish. Don’t worry, we’re here to help!

The Culprit: Trapped Air Bubbles

We all know that air bubbles can be pesky little things, but when it comes to self-levelling compound, they can be down-right evil. Trapped air bubbles can cause pinholes in your surface, ruining your smooth and level finish. So, what causes these air bubbles to appear in the first place?

1. A Dirty Surface: If you don’t clean and prepare the surface properly before applying the self-levelling compound, you’re basically sending out an invitation for air bubbles to show up.
2. A Lack of Mixing Magic: If you don’t mix the self-levelling compound correctly, you’re going to end up with a mixture that’s either too thick or too thin. And, if it’s too thick, it’ll sag and crack, and if it’s too thin, it’ll be easy for air bubbles to sneak in.
3. Overworking the Compound: It’s important to give the self-levelling compound some space and time to do its thing. If you overwork it, you’ll end up trapping those sneaky air bubbles, causing pinholes to form.
4. A Spreading Fiasco: If you don’t spread the self-levelling compound evenly, you’ll end up with areas that are thicker or thinner, and that’s when air bubbles can really make themselves at home.
5. Improper Drying Conditions: If you don’t give the self-levelling compound the right temperature and ventilation to dry properly, it’ll either dry too quickly or too slowly. And that’s when those pesky air bubbles will show up.
6. Just like whisking a cake, mixing the self-levelling compound can cause air bubbles to become trapped in the mixture.

The Solution: A Bubbl-less Self-Levelling Compound

Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! To prevent those air bubbles from causing pinholes in your self-levelling compound, follow these steps:

1. Clean and Prepare the Surface: Make sure the surface is free of dirt, dust, and debris. And, if there are any gaps or cracks, fill them in.
2. Mix the Magic Potion: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing the self-levelling compound. Make sure it’s the right consistency and not too thick or too thin.
3. Make sure that there are no dry or powdery lumps of self-levelling cement floating around in the mix. Get right to the bottom of your bucket with your whisk.
4. Give It Space: Once you’ve applied the self-levelling compound, give it some time to start setting before making any final adjustments.
5. Spread It Evenly: Make sure you spread the self-levelling compound evenly, so it’s the same thickness throughout the entire surface.
6. Create the Perfect Environment: Give the self-levelling compound the right temperature and ventilation to dry properly.

Conclusion

Trapped air bubbles can cause pinholes in your self-levelling compound, ruining your smooth and level finish. But, with a little bit of preparation and patience, you can prevent those air bubbles from causing problems. Now, go forth and conquer those surfaces!