Do-it-yourself leveling of concrete walls: materials, technologies and important points

Buildings frequently have concrete walls because of their strength and longevity. But it can be difficult to achieve a level and smooth surface, particularly if the walls have blemishes or uneven areas. It’s crucial to comprehend the fundamentals of leveling if you want to enhance the appearance and usefulness of your concrete walls.

Self-leveling concrete walls can be a satisfying project that gives you control over the outcome and the ability to save money. It requires a number of steps, including wall preparation, material selection, and technique application. Even a beginner can produce results that look professional with the correct method.

We’ll go over the supplies you’ll need, leveling technologies that are available, and crucial considerations to make along the way in this guide. These pointers will assist you in getting off to a good start whether you intend to paint, lay tiles, or just want a smoother surface.

Your concrete walls can be transformed and made level and ready for any final touches by following these instructions. Now let’s get started and discover how to easily and confidently level your concrete walls.

Leveling technologies

Prior to selecting the leveling material and technique, the task’s magnitude must be determined.

You ought to pay close attention to the degree of unevenness in this instance:

• Depressions more than 5 cm – the best way to level drywall;
• Difference less than 5 cm – plaster will do;
• Small irregularities up to 5 mm can be removed with putty.

Puttying is practically always used in practice, even in cases where the walls were previously covered with drywall or removed using a plaster mixture. Putty is used to smooth out any minor rough spots in the plaster and seal the joints between the sheets.

Crucial! It is advised to remove all layers of the previous decorative finish prior to beginning any work because alignment technology will increase the thickness of the concrete wall.

Drywall

The simplest technique to remove a smooth surface from walls with noticeable surface flaws is to use drywall sheets that are either frameless or have a frame.

When there are large potholes, this kind of correction

• the most effective;
• the least expendable in time;
• Economically profitable.

Although the frameless method is not entirely accurate technically, amateur builders frequently employ it. Drywall sheets are affixed to the wall directly with this decoration. Significant flaws in the surface make it unlikely to perform the task qualitatively.

Device on the frame

The device of the frame to which sheets will be attached is the most accurate way to align major defects. Wooden timber or aluminium rack profiles and guides are used to assemble the frame.

Consequently, it is not recommended to use the wooden structure in highly humid rooms. Such a frame is more brittle, prone to microorganism damage, and prone to deformation.

Rack profiles are twisted to match the concrete wall’s surface, accounting for both horizontal and vertical levels. The size of the sheet determines the spacing between the profiles. Depending on the size of the gypsum board, the guides are affixed every 50 to 60 centimeters (gypsum plasterboard).

Note: Once the frame is installed, you can use mineral wool or foam to install thermal insulation.

Self-tapping screws are utilized to fasten the sheets of gypsum board to the frame. Using self-tapping screws made of oxidized metal is preferable. The self-tapping screws are twisted into the profile in a 15–18 centimeter fastening step. The self-tapping screw’s head should be flat, and it is slightly recessed into the sheet during installation.

The frame’s device not only makes it possible to conceal the communications cable but also to create a perfectly flat surface for decorative elements. Channeling is necessary when wiring a concrete wall, and it’s an extremely messy and noisy process. The frame’s design makes it possible to install communications for a low cost, and all of the wires are hidden.

Speaking of which, You can cover the walls with plastic or plywood sheets using a similar technique. However, given the physical characteristics of these materials, it is preferable to assemble the frame using wooden beams.

You can easily level concrete walls by yourself if you have the correct tools, know how to use them, and understand the important steps. This post will walk you through the necessary equipment and materials, describe the best techniques for producing a level, smooth surface, and emphasize important pointers to guarantee a job well done. This comprehensive guide will assist you in achieving professional results without the need for specialized skills or equipment, whether you’re prepping walls for painting or other finishes.

Plaster

The following preparatory actions are necessary before using plaster mixtures to level concrete surfaces:

1. In order for the new plaster to adhere perfectly, it is necessary to clean the wall down to the concrete.
2. You should get rid of all layers of old finish, and then carefully inspect the surface for defects.
3. Delaminations and cracks must be repaired.
4. For better adhesion, the concrete wall is treated with a primer of deep penetration.

A plaster mixture made of either gypsum or cement is chosen based on the room in which the work is being done:

Binding material of the mixture	Main characteristics
Cement	The surface will require putty, will have a roughness. The price of the cement composition is lower than that of the gypsum mixture. It is permissible to apply the solution in a thick layer, which is sometimes of decisive importance. If you need to apply a layer thicker than 20 mm, you should use a plaster mesh.
Gypsum	The final surface is quite smooth. It should not be used in rooms with high humidity. A polymer mesh is suitable for reinforcing a thick layer.

Work on beacons

Plaster needs to be applied on the surface of the beacons, which are guides or restricting strips that regulate the liquid solution’s surface level, before it can be applied to the reinforced concrete walls. Plastering typically uses a metal perforated profile.

Take note: Plastic beacons can be left in place since they won’t corrode, but metal beacons should be taken down from the walls.

Installation of permanent beacons

Volume limiter installation is a crucial aspect of the task. The proper installation of beacons determines the level of evenness and quality of plastering work.

Detailed guidelines for attaching limiting strips:

1. Using a building level, mark vertical lines for holes for fasteners.
2. The first line is marked at a distance of no more than 20 cm from the corner.
3. The distance between vertical marks is selected based on the size of the rule.
4. Drill holes in the wall along the marking lines and hammer in dowels.
5. The strips are fixed into the prepared holes using self-tapping screws.
6. It is better to screw in the screws with a screwdriver, controlling the vertical level of the strip.
7. Before fixing the vertical strips, it is recommended to stretch a horizontal thread along the wall to control the level of the surface as a whole.
8. For the final fixation of the strips, a plaster solution is used, which is applied in a small amount to the profile.

You can start plastering the surface once the solution beneath the beacons has solidified. The rule controls the plaster’s level, and its volume shouldn’t exceed these bounds. Watching the video on this page will teach you more about how to install limiting profiles for plastering.

Applying plaster

In the space between the profiles on the wall, a plaster solution is thrown—a slog. The trowel and hawk are used to toss the solution. By using a hawk, you can cut expenses and expedite the process considerably.

Crucial! The slab’s volume surpasses the quantity of plaster mix needed to level a specific area.

Generally, work starts after the wall has been coated with the necessary quantity of mixture. The solution is applied to the surface in a bottom-to-top direction using tiny amplitude zigzag movements.

First, cast a rough layer of basting below the beacon level to streamline and expedite the process. Next, a finishing mark is applied following setting. Mesh is used to reinforce the plaster layer if needed.

Calculation of cement mortar

Puttying

Puttying is rarely used as a stand-alone leveling technique. Putty leveling is usually the last step in a multi-step procedure. Similar to plaster, putty is applied after priming the surface.

Use spatulas of different widths and a flat-bottomed ditch to work with the putty mixture.

Speaking of which, The cone method can be used to determine if the mixture is ready to work. Using a stick, stir the mixture in the tray and remove it. When taking the stirring stick off, the cone should stay in place.

To prolong the life of the solution, place a moist cloth over the tray while working. Simultaneously, thin the putty that has thickened by adding water or primer on occasion. The proper putty does not slide off the spatula when held vertically.

Basic rules for puttying

Although leveling a putty surface with your hands is not difficult, it is important to remember that this process requires skills, without which the work will proceed very slowly.

Newcomers should be aware of this:

• The putty is applied to the surface with strokes in small quantities.
• The composition is distributed over the surface of the wall with confident horizontal and vertical movements.
• The thickness of the putty layer should not exceed 2 mm.
• The spatula is held at an angle to the surface of the wall. The larger the angle, the thinner the putty layer.

Note: You can use your other hand to assist in holding the spatula blade at the beginning of the task.

Putty is applied to the surface and then allowed to set. With a brush and water or primer, the dried layer is "dispersed." This enables you to erase smudges and minor irregularities. The putty is leveled using zero mesh or sandpaper once it has dried.

Note! If necessary, you can apply a second layer. In this case, before starting work, the surface is primed again to avoid delamination.

Aligning the corners

It’s important to know how to level a concrete wall’s corner once you’ve chosen your surface-leveling technique. The overall appearance of the repair will be ruined even if the end result is perfectly flat wall surfaces because the corners will collapse. It is important to remember that this process calls for specific knowledge and skills, and that trying to do it on your own without any prior experience will not be easy.

Angle alignment can be done in a number of ways, so choose one before you get to work. The material used is typically the same as that used for processing straight surfaces. The tools and materials you need to prepare will depend on the method.

• alignment of corners with plasterboard;
• drawing out corners with plaster using a plumb line or level;
• use of counter-shultz – perforated corner aluminum profile.

Working with gypsum boards

Similar to walls, there are two ways to level corners with plasterboard sheets in practice: frame and frameless. We’ll go over both again, but using a frame device is highly advised.

If there is a difference in wall unevenness of no more than 7 mm, the frameless method can be applied. GKL sheets are adhered to one plane butt-to-wall, i.e., in an overlapping manner. After that, a perpendicular sheet is adhered to the final sheet. Using a square, the corner’s evenness is verified. A unique reinforcing mesh is used to glue the butt joint.

Note: Although the internal corner device created by this method has its benefits, the external corners created by the frameless method are brittle and quickly become uneven when the room is in use.

Profiles are used to bring out the corner when installing a frame. The corner itself has a unique angular perforated post installed on it that serves as both a leveling agent and a reinforcer. Plasterboard sheets are twisted to fit this profile, and mesh is also glued to the butt joint.

It is possible to install from butt to butt.

Or using the T-shaped approach.

Crucial! Whenever possible, avoid allowing cross seams to form when installing a corner made of gypsum board. It is necessary to mount sheets with a center offset.

Plaster with a plumb line

Limiting strips must be installed on concrete walls before using a plaster solution to level the corners. Since the profiles are fixed on the solution and level, self-tapping screws do not need to be used to fasten the lighthouses in this instance.

Speaking of which, Without further equalization, the angle will be perfect if the levels are followed when leveling the walls.

It is advisable to use a plumb line to purvey corners when creating internal angles.

In this instance, the stages of work are as follows:

1. We examine the irregularities of the contacting walls and in the area of ​​the corner we make marks using the construction level.
2. Pillow the angle.
3. Prepare a solution of plaster.
4. On the established marks, carefully apply a layer of plaster mixture.
5. Using a spatula and a half -plate, distribute the solution on the surface of the wall, in the area of ​​the corner.
6. After drying, we repeat similar actions on the conjugated wall.

It is important to note that aligning corners with a plumb line or other marks requires a lot of work, and the outcome is unlikely to be good if one lacks experience.

What is a counter-shultz?

Finishing novices can use the counter-shultz method, which uses a perforated corner to align corners. Such a corner can be placed as an alignment technique on plaster corners or as a reinforcing element on sheets of gypsum board.

Utilizing the profile is very easy:

1. Pieces of the profile of the required length are cut.
2. Adhesive or plaster mortar is mixed.
3. The prepared mixture is applied to the entire surface of the corner.
4. The counter-shultz is fastened and pressed down, strictly observing the vertical level.
5. Excess mortar is removed with a spatula.
6. After setting, the corner is puttied and leveled with the wall surface.

Installation of doors

A further finishing touch that has a direct bearing on surface evenness is securing the door frame to the concrete wall. We won’t go into great detail about installing doors in concrete walls in this article, but we will stress how crucial it is to align the doorway’s section and how important it is to set the frame in accordance with level.

Strict vertical alignment of the door frame is essential to prevent the door leaf from drooping over time and to ensure proper operation of the locking mechanisms. And since it appears that there is no clear connection here—you can accurately position the frame even in an uneven opening—why is wall alignment so crucial?

The truth is that you will achieve the surrealistic visual disorder of Salvador Dali’s paintings if you install the door correctly but at the same time tilt the corners or don’t level the wall. A straight door will appear skewed or mounted unevenly because of the wrong angles and surfaces.

Materials	Technologies and Important Points
Concrete mix	Choose the right type of mix for indoor or outdoor use
Primer	Apply a primer to ensure better adhesion of the concrete
Water	Mix with concrete to the correct consistency; too much can weaken it
Trowel	Use a trowel to spread and smooth the concrete evenly
Level	Check the surface regularly to maintain evenness
Sandpaper	Smooth out any rough areas after the concrete has set

Although leveling concrete walls by hand can seem difficult, it’s a doable project for any do-it-yourself enthusiast with the appropriate tools and methods. The secret is to plan ahead and comprehend every stage of the procedure. Every step, from assembling the required equipment to using the leveling compound, calls for close attention to detail.

Tools like trowels, sanding compounds, and patching compounds are necessary. It is important to select the appropriate type of compound according to the degree of unevenness in the wall. If the flaws are small, a basic patching compound can work well; for larger problems, a thicker, self-leveling compound might be needed.

Equally important is knowing the right application techniques. A smooth finish is ensured by applying the compound in thin, even layers. It may be necessary to apply several layers, letting each one dry completely before applying the next, so patience is essential. A perfect outcome can be achieved by sanding in between layers.

The first priority should always be safety. Avoiding contact with chemicals and dust inhalation can be achieved by donning protective gear such as masks and gloves. Maintaining a safe environment in the workplace also benefits from proper ventilation.

The durability and aesthetic appeal of your surfaces can be greatly improved by taking the time to level your concrete walls. You can improve the appearance and value of your house while achieving professional-looking results with thoughtful preparation and execution. Keep in mind that preparation, perseverance, and the appropriate use of supplies and methods are all necessary for your project to succeed.

Video on the topic

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