Rapid Set LevelFlor®: In-Depth Product Deep Dive

GrindLine
2 days ago
3 min read

When it comes to leveling uneven substrates prior to installing your finished floor, Rapid Set LevelFlor® is engineered to deliver fast, reliable performance. Below is a clear, detailed look at what makes it compelling, how it performs, and when to use it.

What Is LevelFlor?

Self-leveling underlayment (SLU) — a cementitious overlay that flows and levels itself, filling low spots.
Polymer-modified, hydraulic cement base — gives it strength, bond, and durability in both interior and exterior settings.
Designed for fast track projects — reduce downtime and speed toward finish flooring.

Think of it as the leveling “foundation” that helps ensure your final floor (tile, hardwood, epoxy, etc.) has a stable, flat base.

Key Performance Data (What the Numbers Say)

Property	Value / Range	What That Means in Practice
Working time (flow life)	~20 minutes at 70 °F (21 °C)	You have about 20 minutes to place and level it before it begins to stiffen.
Walk-on (foot traffic)	2 to 4 hours	You can use the floor for walking shortly after placement.
Finish flooring (moisture-insensitive types)	~4 to 6 hours	Many tiles, resilient floors, etc., can go down the same day.
Finish flooring (moisture-sensitive types)	~16 hours	More cautious materials (e.g. adhesives, coatings) may require a full day cure.
Compressive strength	~3,000 psi in 24 hours; ~5,000 psi at 28 days	Strong enough to support standard loads once cured.
Flexural strength (7 days)	~1,150 psi	Resistance to bending or cracking under load.
Thickness (neat mix)	1/8" up to 2"	You can feather to thin edges or build up within this range.
Thickness (with aggregate extension)	Up to 5"	For thicker fills, you can blend in clean aggregate.
Coverage (per 50-lb bag)	24–30 ft² at ¼" thickness; 12–15 ft² at ½" thickness	Helps estimate bag quantity for the job.
Shelf life	12 months	Store properly to maintain product viability.
VOC content	0 g/L	Low emissions, safer for interior environments.

How to Use It: Steps, Best Practices & Tips

1. Prepare the substrate

The concrete or existing floor must be clean, strong, and free of contaminants (oil, adhesives, dust, etc.).
Smooth surfaces should be roughened to a profile similar to ICRI CSP 3.
Surface temperature should be between 50 °F and 90 °F (10 °C to 32 °C).
Honor existing joints and cracks rather than filling them in.

2. Prime

Use Rapid Set® Acrylic Primer or equivalent to improve adhesion.
Allow primer to fully dry before placing LevelFlor.

3. Mixing

Use 4.5 to 5 quarts (4.3 L to 4.7 L) of clean water per 50-lb bag.
Do not exceed 5 quarts.
Mix for 3 to 5 minutes with a paddle mixer or pump system until smooth and lump-free.
If adding aggregate, mix an additional 1 to 3 minutes.
Use within 20 minutes of mixing at 70 °F.

4. Placement & Finishing

Pour or pump onto the primed substrate.
Use a gauge rake or spreader to level.
A spiked roller can help remove trapped air.
Feather edges to match elevations.
The surface will self-level with minimal troweling.

5. Curing & Protection

Under moderate indoor conditions (~70 °F), no additional curing is needed.
For exterior applications, apply a fine water mist after the surface is hard enough to resist marring.
Avoid placing in very hot, windy, or direct sun conditions without protection.

6. Flooring & Traffic

Foot traffic is allowed in 2 to 4 hours.
Light rolling loads after 24 hours.
Moisture-insensitive flooring can be placed in 4 to 6 hours.
Moisture-sensitive flooring should wait about 16 hours.
LevelFlor is not intended as a final wearing surface.

Ideal Use Cases & Where It Excels

Renovations and resurfacing: When floors are uneven or pitted and you want to avoid full replacement.
Fast turnaround jobs: Retail spaces, showrooms, or offices where downtime must be minimal.
Interior and exterior projects: Formulated for both wet and dry environments.
Versatile thickness: Works from feather edge up to 2” (or 5” with aggregate).
Durable underlayments: High early strength supports a wide variety of flooring finishes.
Low VOC: Ideal for interior projects where air quality matters.