The most common technology for leveling floors and creating a reliable foundation for their subsequent finishing is screed. The process itself is quite understandable and accessible to almost any home owner who is engaged in independent construction or renovation. And with the advent of ready-made dry construction mixtures on the free market, this stage of work has become even easier, significantly reduced in time, and labor costs have sharply decreased.
Self-leveling floor Volma
Many companies, domestic and foreign, offer consumers a very wide range of dry mixtures for pouring floors. It’s easy to get confused in this variety, so it always makes sense to first study the available information about a particular material, compare it with the performance of similar compositions of other brands, both in terms of characteristics and price level. This article will present the Volma self-leveling floor, a product of one of the leaders in the Russian segment of the production of dry building mixtures.
Advantages and disadvantages
Today, the technology, originally developed for the needs of industrial enterprises, is of interest to specialists involved in the construction and repair of office buildings, residential buildings, medical complexes, various institutions... It has confirmed its effectiveness wherever:
- The ability to withstand mechanical loads and the effects of substances of various chemical compositions. It is important for industrial facilities, scientific laboratories and warehouses.
- Resistance to abrasion, mandatory for floor coverings used in high-traffic areas and transport facilities.
- A satisfactory level of fire safety, achieved by complying with the requirements for flammability, combustibility, smoke generation and toxicity of combustion products, which apply to building and finishing materials.
- Hygienic properties. Reviews of the Volma self-leveling floor confirm that ordinary detergents are sufficient to maintain cleanliness in the rooms where such floor coverings are installed.
- Maintainability. Using the same materials and technologies as for pouring floors, it is possible to quickly eliminate even complex damage.
Flaws:
If we add to this durability and affordable cost, it becomes clear why the Volma self-leveling self-leveling floor attracts consumers. For the sake of obvious advantages, users are willing to put up with the existing disadvantages:
- Significant expenditure of effort and money required to prepare the base, laying thermal insulation and sound insulation.
- The high cost of equipment used during the work.
- Specific heat transfer characteristics. No matter how good the Volma self-leveling floor is, comfort in living quarters can only be ensured if heating systems are installed under the floor covering.
- Prices several times higher than the cost of linoleum or laminate floors.
Customers are not even afraid of the complexity of dismantling, the need for which arises for a variety of reasons. The pros outweigh the cons. But there are some nuances.
Preparation of working solution "Nivelir Express"
The standard packaging of Volma brand self-leveling floor contains 20 kg of dry mixture. To prepare a solution with the required parameters for 20 kg, you need to take about 6 liters of clean, cool water. It is not advisable to use warm (above 20 ˚C), especially hot water, since the higher the temperature, the shorter the period when you can work with the finished mixture. The “lifetime” of the prepared self-leveling floor mixture is up to 60 minutes. That is, during this time you need to have time to fill the entire surface allocated for leveling to the intended level. Therefore, if the pouring area is impressive, it is better to divide it into technological zones.
The “lifetime” of the prepared self-leveling floor mixture is up to 60 minutes
First, a measured amount of water is poured into the prepared volumetric container. And only then gradually (not all at once) the dry mixture is poured from the bag. If you do it according to the technology, after filling you need to let the dry substance soak in water for 3-5 minutes, and only then start mixing using a construction mixer or a drill (perforator) with an appropriate attachment. However, if there is work to be done over a large area, soaking the mixture is usually neglected, since the time for preparing the solution plays an important role.
After initial mixing until a homogeneous mass is obtained, the solution should be allowed to stand for up to 5 minutes, and then mixed again. This point cannot be neglected, since during the indicated period, small dry inclusions are dissolved and the mixture gains technological characteristics. Immediately after the end of the second mixing, the solution is immediately poured onto the work surface.
Important! To check the correct preparation of the mixture, including its consistency, you need to pour a liter of solution at one point on a relatively flat surface. The “correct” mixture should form a circle about half a meter in diameter.
Main characteristics of self-leveling floor Volma
Money matters a lot. Even wealthy buyers, looking for an answer to the question of which self-leveling floor is better, pay attention to the cost of materials. Compared to foreign competitors, a Russian enterprise finds itself in an advantageous position, offering its products on favorable terms. But it’s not only the affordable price of Volma self-leveling flooring that attracts consumers. Other characteristics are no less important:
- Mixture consumption. The large amount of ready-made composition required for pouring floors is recognized as a serious drawback. But, in this case, problems, if they exist, are not considered critical. If the contractor has read the instructions and correctly lays the Volma self-leveling floor, the consumption is only slightly higher than when using more expensive materials.
- Drying speed. Some experts who have experience working with products from other companies note that, in their opinion, the Volma Nivelir-Express self-leveling floor hardens too quickly and sometimes does not have time to level. Indeed, the viability of the finished composition does not exceed 40 minutes. However, masters who have mastered the technology object to their colleagues, arguing that it’s all a matter of skills.
Overall, everything looks good. But when assessing the picture as a whole, it should be taken into account that the manufacturer itself positions its products as compositions for leveling floors and preparing the base. The products offered honestly fulfill their purpose. But for normal operation, floor coverings, such as linoleum or laminate, should be laid on the hardened surface, or a protective layer should be applied from materials that are not in the catalog of the Russian enterprise.
Alas, none of the options offered by the company are final. And this, in turn, means that the stories of users about how they successfully use the above-mentioned Volma Level-Express floor or bases made from dry mixtures of other brands produced by the enterprise raise doubts. And no matter how attractive the price may look, if you do not intend to spend money on purchasing and installing additional finishing materials, it is better to give preference to another, albeit not so affordable, option.
Preparing the surface for working with “Nivelir Express”
Surface preparation by grinding
Self-leveling floors, including Nivelir Express, are intended mainly for leveling old concrete or cement-sand screeds, when this needs to be done in the smallest possible layer. We will proceed from this when considering the process of preparing the base for pouring the self-leveling mixture.
Areas of application and installation procedure for Volma self-leveling floor
Preparation consists of the following sequential stages.
- Clear the surface of construction debris;
- Analyze the condition of the base; if there are cracks, they should be widened, loose areas should be removed;
- Carry out a more thorough cleaning, getting rid of dust as much as possible;
- The surface is treated with a high-quality deep impregnation primer. It should be primed once, but carefully. It is advisable to buy a primer from the same manufacturer. For work, you can use a paint roller or a brush (wide brush). If the surface has numerous cracks and potholes, it is better to use a second tool;
- Allow the primer to dry, then install damper tape around the perimeter of the room.
Popular brands of self-leveling floor Volma
VOLMA-Nivelir Express
"VOLMA - Level Express" is a dry mixture based on a mixed binder, mineral fillers and modifying additives. TU 23.64.10-005-88933857-2020 corresponds to GOST 31358.
For manual or mechanized work on leveling concrete and cement-sand floor subfloors indoors for subsequent decorative coatings (linoleum, laminate, tiles, parquet, etc.) with a thickness of 5 to 100 mm. Recommended for use in residential and public areas with dry and normal humidity levels.
Average price: 228 rub./piece. for 20 kg.
Specifications:
| Recommended layer thickness | 5-100 mm |
| Material consumption for a thickness of 10 mm | 12-14 kg/sq.m |
| Water consumption per 1 kg of dry mixture | 0,29-0,34 |
| per bag 20 kg | 5.8-6.8 l |
| Viability of the solution in the container | 40 minutes |
| Application temperature (air, work surface, materials) | from + 5 to + 30ºС |
| Floor strength | 15 MPa |
| Strength of adhesion to the base | not less than 1.0 MPa |
| Possibility of moving on the floor | in 4-6 hours |
| Possibility to load the floor | in 72 hours |
| Coat with residual moisture | no more than 1% |
VOLMA-Level Comfort
"VOLMA - Level Comfort - a dry mixture based on a mixed binder, mineral fillers and modifying additives. Complies with GOST 31358.
For manual or mechanized work on leveling concrete and cement-sand floor subfloors indoors for any type of finishing coating with a layer thickness from 3 to 100 mm. Recommended for use in residential and public areas with dry and normal humidity levels.
Average price: 228 rub./piece. for 20 kg.
Specifications:
| Application thickness | up to 100 mm |
| Recommended application thickness | 4-100 mm |
| Material consumption for a thickness of 10 mm | 12-14 kg/sq.m |
| Water consumption per 1 kg of dry mixture | 0,29-0,34 |
| per bag 20 kg | 5.8-6.8 l |
| Viability of the solution in the container | 40 minutes |
| Application temperature (air, work surface, materials) | from + 5 to + 30ºС |
| Floor strength | 15 MPa |
| Strength of adhesion to the base | not less than 1.0 MPa |
| Possibility of moving on the floor | in 4-6 hours |
| Possibility to load the floor | in 72 hours |
| Coat with residual moisture | no more than 1% |
How to calculate the required amount of Volma dry mixture for leveling the floor
If you plan to level the floor with Volma self-leveling compound, then, one way or another, you will have to purchase the material. It doesn’t matter whether the work is carried out independently or a team is invited - it is necessary to know the required amount of dry mixture.
For each type of liquid formulations, the manufacturer indicates the average consumption. It is usually expressed in kilograms of dry mixture, which must be spent in order to pour a 10 mm layer over an area of 1 square meter. All these values are indicated in the tables above.
Using this indicator, the known area of the room and the planned thickness of the future leveling screed, it is not at all difficult to calculate the total amount of composition.
In addition, sometimes it is necessary to take into account the difference in heights if there is a large deviation from the horizontal plane on the original surface. Even during preliminary inspections and measurements using a hydraulic or laser level, the ideal horizontal line is struck. Starting from it, they find the “extreme” points, that is, the highest and lowest. The difference between them will precisely show the amount of difference that needs to be eliminated by pouring the leveling mixture.
It is probably clear to everyone that the minimum specified thickness of the screed (leveling layer) will be exactly at the highest point of the original floor surface.
When making calculations, it is recommended to immediately include a reserve of about 10% - it’s rare that there is enough material “neck to neck”. In addition, there may be unforeseen losses, especially due to inexperience.
The calculator offered below is specially programmed to calculate the amount of Volma dry mixture for pouring floors. The cost values of the listed varieties are already included in the calculation algorithm. The result will be shown taking into account the reserve (10%), in kilograms, with subsequent conversion to the number of standard factory packaging (20 or 25 kg bags).
Calculator for calculating the required amount of dry building mixture "Volma" for pouring a floor
Go to calculations
How to use?
Instructions for use are as follows. The work must be carried out in a dry room, the air humidity in which is no more than 75%, and the temperature is no less than 5°C. Pouring can only be done on a concrete base, the pouring period of which is longer than 3 months, or cement sand – laid at least 1 month ago, surface temperature – from 5°C, humidity – up to 6%.
Before work, the surface of the future floor is cleaned of dust, dirt, oils and other foreign substances. Large cracks and holes must be repaired in advance - more than 24 hours before the main pour. To do this, you can use Volma-Nivelir Express products with a thicker consistency, reducing the standard water consumption. The metal elements remaining in the floor (battery pipes, water and gas supply, grounding) must be protected from corrosion before pouring, for example, with silicone or sealant. The joints between walls and floors must be provided with pads made of polystyrene foam or other polymer insulating material.
The thickness of the poured layer is indicated using portable metal or plastic markers with a scale. You can also make a homemade leveling scale from available materials, which will be cheaper.
Before pouring, the floor is primed using a regular paint roller with a long handle. You can use Volma Universal primer or any other primer for deep penetration interior work. It is enough to treat smooth surfaces 2 times, porous surfaces at least 2-3 times with an interval of 4 hours. You should start pouring only after the primer has completely dried.
Self-leveling floors "Volma" can be used for manual or machine application. If an automatic station (unit) is used for filling, then after turning it on, the dry mixture is poured into the hopper and by adjusting the water supply, the required density of the solution at the outlet is set. To check the correct thickness, you can pour 1 liter of the mixture onto a non-absorbent surface - the spot should be approximately 0.5 m in diameter.
When pouring manually, the mixture is poured into a container with water and mixed with a mixer, a drill with a whisk attachment, or by hand until a homogeneous mass is formed within 5 minutes. Then the screed settles for 3 minutes and mixes again. You should avoid overfilling the water and use only the proportions indicated in the instructions. If you add a dry mixture or water to an already mixed and mature solution, it loses its beneficial properties. The prepared mass should be used within 60 minutes, otherwise it will begin to thicken.
The liquid mixture is poured onto the prepared area evenly and continuously; this should be done no more than 1 hour in advance to avoid hardening of the solution. Then air bubbles are removed from the surface using a needle roller. After this, they move on to similar work in the next section.
If the Volma-Nivelir Express mixture is poured onto a “warm floor” system, then the recommended layer thickness is 40 mm; if the heating is already built into the base on which the pour is being poured, then the layer can be from 5 to 100 mm.
"Level Comfort"
The ideal solution for ultra-fine leveling. The mixture contains high-quality gypsum, which allows the product to be used in medical and educational institutions.
Composition used:
- exclusively for interior work;
- under normal humidity conditions.
It is characterized by economical consumption and low price.
The use of any composition guarantees high-quality and durable coating for many years. Working with the material will not cause difficulties even for inexperienced users. The lightweight and easy-to-apply mixture can be ordered in any quantity in our store.
Delivery of the order to your home or construction site is possible. Check with our sellers for full prices, promotions and discounts. You will find the lowest prices and the full range of products only here!
