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Ngl, I just lost a whole morning to a 'self-leveling' underlayment that wasn't
Honestly, it was supposed to be a quick pour before some vinyl plank, but it set up like concrete in 10 minutes and I had to chip it all out. Anyone got a brand that actually gives you a decent working time?
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the_diana3mo ago
Oh man, that "set up like concrete in 10 minutes" line gave me flashbacks. I had the exact same thing happen with a bag from a big box store, it was a total waste. I've had good luck with the Ardex brand stuff since then, it gives you a solid half hour to work which feels like forever in comparison. Just make sure you mix it exactly how the bag says, even a little extra water can ruin it. That morning you lost is the worst feeling.
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rose_reed3mo ago
Used to think all self-levelers were basically the same. That changed after a bad pour in my own kitchen. The fast set stuff is for pros with a crew. For us regular people, you need that longer open time. I switched to a 30-minute pot life product and it was a totally different job. You can actually spread it out and fix mistakes. Never going back to the quick set bags.
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emmaclark3mo ago
Wait, it sets up in just ten minutes? That's insane, I'd be panicking the whole time. No wonder your kitchen pour went bad, that's basically a race against the clock. I can't imagine trying to fix a mistake when it's hardening that fast. You're totally right, the extra time makes all the difference for someone doing it alone, right?
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jamie9401mo ago
So you're saying the 30 minute stuff really does make that much of a difference? I've been scared to even try self leveler after watching a YouTube video where the guy was literally running around his room trying to smooth it out before it turned to stone... sounded like a nightmare. That morning you lost stuff hits hard, I've had plenty of DIY projects where I wasted time and materials learning the hard way too. It's good to know there's a more forgiving option out there for us weekend warriors though, maybe I'll actually give it a shot now.
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