BAL Level Max 25Kg – Bulk Buy DISCOUNT CALCULATOR DEALS – High Performance Thick-Bed Floor Leveller

Surface Preparation

Surface Preparation

General

Ensure surfaces are dry, sound, and free from grease, dust and any other contamination/barriers to adhesion.

All primed areas should be fully dry.

Ensure direct-to-earth sub-floors incorporate an effective damp proof membrane.

Surface regularity:

Surface Regularity is defined as the deviation in height of the surface over short distances in a local area. In simpler terms, it is the ‘flatness’ or ‘measure of unevenness’ of the surface. BAL LEVEL MAX may be used to correct floors to SR1 (+ or – 3mm or less over a 2 meter straight edge.

In wet areas: Allow a minimum of 24 hours before waterproofing BAL LEVEL MAX with BAL WATERPROOFING KIT FOR SHOWERS, BAL WP1 TANKING SYSTEM or BAL TANK-IT.

SUITABLE SURFACES include:

Asphalt (suitable grade e.g. flooring)

Must be of a suitable grade, be clean, in sound condition (without brittleness, softening. etc.) and have adequate cohesive strength, a natural float finish and laid on a firm rigid base.

Clean thoroughly to remove surface dirt using warm water and a suitable detergent. Remove all detergent residues with clean water. No priming is needed.
Ensure that surface is sufficiently regular to suit bedding depths of BAL LEVEL MAX.

Apply leveller as required, minimum 3mm to maximum 6mm.

Concrete; cement:sand screeds

Must be fully cured and free from efflorescence, laitance, dirt, polished concrete and other loose materials. Remove by the use of suitable mechanical methods.
Allow the following minimum drying times:

• Concrete: 6 weeks
• Cement:sand screed: 3 weeks

Absorbent cement:sand screeds and concrete.
Prime with BAL PRIME APD pre-diluted 1:1 with clean water. Allow to dry.

Low-absorbent cement:sand and concrete.
Dampen with clean water before laying BAL LEVEL MAX. Note: Allow to dry for a minimum of 24 hours before soft finished can be used.

Existing unglazed ceramic tiles, quarry tiles, terrazzo and natural stone

Ensure that the existing finish is firmly adhered to the base.
If areas are loose or hollow-sounding, remove and make good any hollow/defective areas.

Anhydrite/calcium sulfate and hemi-hydrate screed

Allow the screed to dry out in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction example: moisture contact below 0.5% w/w or 75% RH (Relative Humidity). Mechanically remove top surface to remove weak/dusty surface layer(s) as per the screed manufacturer’s recommendations. Remove all dust and loose material e.g. by vacuum etc. before priming with 2 coats of (second coat applied at 900 to the first):

– BAL PRIME APD diluted 1:1 with clean water and second coat undiluted or
– BAL BOND SBR diluted 1:4 with clean water and second coat diluted 1:2 with clean water.

Allow each coat of primer to dry.
NOTE: For further information on other backgrounds and preparation, contact BAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY AND SPECIFICATION SERVICE.

Ceramic tile adhesive residues

Remove as much adhesive as possible.
Ensure all residual adhesive is soundly bonded.
No priming is needed.
Do not apply over old adhesive residues that are softened by water.

Cement:sand screeds with underfloor heating

Switch off heating for MINIMUM 48 hours before application of BAL LEVEL MAX. Follow accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Prime floor surface with BAL PRIME APD pre-diluted 1:1 with clean water.

NOTE: For further information on other backgrounds and preparation, contact BAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY AND SPECIFICATION SERVICE.

Timber floors (hard floor finishes) Overlaid timber floors (min. 15mm)

Ensure timber floor (i) is sufficiently rigid and stable to receive tiles; (ii) can carry the additional static and dynamic load without excessive deflection; and (iii) has adequate ventilation under the timber.

Overlay existing timber floor with a suitable water resistant, marine plywood, min. 15mm thick, screwed (not nailed) at 300mm centres.
Seal timber surface on the underside and edges with undiluted BAL BOND SBR. Allow to dry.

Prime board surface with 2 coats of undiluted BAL PRIME APD, applying second coat at 90° to the first.
Allow each coat to dry.

Tongued and grooved floorboards/18mm single layer WBP plywood

Ensure boards are dry, rigid and securely fixed (screwed to joints at 300mm centres, including any cross-noggings, if necessary). Sand (abrade) surface and ensure any surface coatings removed, e.g. varnish, lacquers, etc.

Before priming with 2 coats of (second coat applied at 900 to the first):
– BAL PRIME APD (undiluted) or
– BAL BOND SBR (diluted 1:2 by volume with clean water) Allow each coat of primer to dry.

A mesh may be required to reinforce BAL LEVEL MAX in critical areas. NOTE: For further information on other backgrounds and preparation, contact BAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY AND SPECIFICATION SERVICE.

Fibre reinforced cement boards and lightweight tile backer boards

Install boards to BS 5385 – i.e. moisture-resistant boards screwed to seasoned timber or suitable proprietary framework at maximum 300mm centres or as per the board manufacturer’s recommendations. Ensure no fixings protrude. Some boards may require priming, prior to tiling with a cementitiouis based tile adhesive. Use a suitable primer

from the BAL range. Please refer to the relevant BAL Technical Data Sheets for further information.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Obtain manufacturer’s confirmation that boards are suitable for tiling and for relevant fixing instructions. For further information on other backgrounds and preparation, contact BAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY AND SPECIFICATION SERVICE.

Existing vinyl tiles

Ensure these are in good sound condition and securely bonded to their base.
Remove loose or damaged tiles/areas of sheet along with any loose or soft adhesive.

Remove any polishes, wax, grease etc. with a suitable proprietary cleaner.
Prime Surface with undiluted BAL BOND SBR all allow to dry. Level within 24 hours of application.

NOTE: Cushioned types of flooring are not suitable and must be completely removed along with the adhesive residue prior to levelling.

Uneven timber floors (for soft floor finishes inc. vinyl, linoleum, carpet)

Ensure boards are (i) dry, rigid and securely fixed; (ii) has adequate ventilation under the timber.

Lay BAL LEVEL MAX and allow to dry for a minimum of 24 hours before soft finished can be installed.
If required screw down layer of a suitable 12mm plywood compliant with BS6566 onto this levelled base.

BAL RAPID-MAT

NOTE: Uncoupling matting such as BAL RAPID-MAT for fast track tiling onto problematic floors
– Protecting floor tiling against reflective cracks, fractures and other damage caused by stresses and lateral movement in the substrate.
– Suitable for most problematic floor substrates including timber floors, new screeds and floors with under-tile heating systems.
– Suitable for most tile types including natural stone and mosaics.
See BAL TECHNICAL DATA SHEET for further information on suitable surfaces and application.

MIXING

Use a BAL MIXING BUCKET or other suitable bucket.
1. Add approximately 5 parts powder to 1 part clean cold water by weight. (see table below)
2. Mix until lump-free mortar achieved.
3. Allow mixed leveller to stand for 2 minutes before re-mixing for 30 seconds.

NOTE: If using electric drill mixer, blend at slow speed (i.e. under 300rpm).
Ready for immediate use. Pot life at 20°C: approx. 30 minutes.
NOTE: Pot life/setting time will vary slightly with temperature: higher temperatures = shorter; lower temperatures = longer.

APPLICATION/USAGE

Do NOT use in temperatures below 5°C or in damp conditions.

Trowel recommendations

Usage procedure

1. Prime the floor surface if required and allow to dry before mixing BAL LEVEL MAX. Note: Timber board joints where gaps between boards are open, use thin heavy duty tape to bridge joints, care must be taken not to over everywhere in tape (this will help to minimise the leveller disappearing beneath the sub-floor).
2. Pour mix over sub-floor and spread to required depth using a suitable steel finishing trowel or long hand blade.
3. Surface should be sufficiently smooth to receive floor coverings without further treatment. Note: Do NOT use a spiked roller; this will pull the fibres to the surface.

If any trowel marks remain: rub down before compound has hardened (after 3 hours).

4. Allow new floor surface to set. Depending on thickness of application, a 3mm layer BAL LEVEL MAX can receive foot traffic after 3 hours and receive tiling after 4 hours.
5. Show existing movement joints within the sub-floor and BAL LEVEL MAX when receive tile finishes.
6. Allow BAL LEVEL MAX to set for 24 hours when receive soft floor finishes (inc. vinyl, linoleum, carpet, resilient and certain floor paints)