Step 1: Check the absorbency of the base

 

Step 2: Check the quality of the foundation

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 A) STRENGTH

The grade of strength of your base should be greater than M100. You can determine the strength of the base using a concrete strength tester. If you don't have one, simply take a regular nail and try to scratch the base. Draw two crosswise lines at an angle to each other. If there is no mark or a smooth, clear line remains, the base is sufficiently strong. If a deep groove with rough edges or a shallow chip remains, the base is likely weak and should be removed.

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B) EVENNESS

If you have a level base without any damage, you can begin preparing the Bergauf Easу Boden fill.

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B) HOMOGENEITY

If there is any delamination in the base or it is bulging (has come away from the base, a dull sound is heard when tapped), then such areas must be removed and proceed to point (B).

All necessary requirements that the foundation must meet are contained in document SP 29.13330.2011. For high-quality results, use this document in your work.

 

Step 3: Clean the base

Remove all loose particles: dust, dirt either by washing or cleaning with an industrial vacuum cleaner.

Why is this necessary? If there is various construction debris on the base, remember that the mortar will stick to it, not to the base, and will therefore fall off along with it.

Defining the fill layer

Layer thickness isn't important to you!? Then you can begin preparing the base and pouring Bergauf Easy Boden.

If the fill layer is important to you, you need to determine its level. This is easily done with a laser level. You can buy or rent one. The device is installed in the center of the room and projects a horizontal line onto the walls. Use a marker to mark the wall along this line, or install removable markers (or screws) in the middle of the room at the chosen fill level. When leveling a thick layer, after pouring the entire area, you need to apply the mixture to the markers and the line marked on the wall.

 

Step 4. Making expansion joints

Why is this necessary? When leveling a floor, it's important to consider the deformations that will be transferred from the building structures (walls, columns) to the floor, as well as the deformations the floor will be subject to during the curing period.

If your room is less than 30 m² and has no columns, create expansion joints: Before pouring the floor, attach a 3-5 mm thick damper tape made of polyethylene foam or another porous material (e.g., isolan, polystyrene foam, etc.) to the wall around the entire perimeter of the room using glue, tape, or another adhesive. The height of the adhesive tape should be slightly greater than the thickness of the applied mixture layer.

In rooms over 30 m² or in rooms with columns, if the fill layer is over 1 cm thick, we install expansion joints. Cracks are at risk in areas of narrowing—hallways, doorways, etc. To prevent them from forming, we need to create a so-called joint—essentially the same as a crack, but in this case, we create its direction ourselves. Floor expansion joints should align with the corresponding joints in the building.

How to make an expansion joint?

You can choose one of two options that seems most convenient to you:

Option 1. The seam can be cut with a grinder the next day after the mixture has set.

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Step 5. Priming

Why prime? This process removes dust from the substrate to bind and adhere fine dust that cannot be removed mechanically. For priming indoor concrete surfaces, use Bergauf AQUA GRUNT, PRIMAGRUNT, or TIEFGRUNT (for weak and chalky substrates). Apply the primer twice. The second coat is applied after the first has dried – after 1 hour.

Important! It is advisable to apply the mixture immediately after the last layer of primer has dried to prevent the surface from becoming dusty again.