Self Leveling Concrete Calculator

Coverage drops fast as depth goes up

Bags of self-leveling compound list coverage at one depth, usually 1/8 in. Pour twice as deep and each bag covers half the area. In the worked example, a bag rated for 50 sq ft at 1/8 in covers only 25 sq ft at 1/4 in.

That is why the depth you enter matters more than the floor size. Read the coverage line on your actual product and type it in.

Finding the average depth

Floors are rarely low in just one spot. Lay a long straightedge or level across the floor in a grid and measure the gap under it every few feet. Write the gaps down and average them, counting high spots as zero.

If one corner is deep and the rest is near flat, measure that corner as its own area. Running two smaller areas through the calculator is more accurate than one rough average.

Do not run out mid-pour

Self-leveling compound works best when poured in one continuous flow. If you stop to buy more, the edge of the first pour starts to set and leaves a ridge. Have every bag on site, opened and lined up, before you mix the first one.

The 10% waste default covers material left in the bucket and some loss into cracks. Raise it if the floor has gaps along the walls.

Prep that changes the amount

• Seal gaps at walls and floor openings so the liquid does not drain away.
• Prime the floor as the product directs, or it may soak up water and cure poorly.
• Build dams at doorways so the pour stays in the room.
• Fill deep holes first with a patch product rather than many bags of leveler.

What goes on top

Leveling is usually the step before a new floor. Once it cures, the tile calculator or the vinyl plank flooring calculator covers the finish layer. Check the flooring maker's flatness limits before deciding how deep to pour.