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Reasons to Avoid DIYing Self Leveling Floor Installation

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 21:24:55 GMT

Thinking about updating your home’s interior? You are certainly not alone. Upgrading your floors is one of the most impactful ways to transform your living space, enhance your daily comfort, and significantly increase your property value. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, 75% of homeowners have carpet and 58% have tile. But whether you are laying down plush carpeting, sleek ceramic tile, luxury vinyl planks, or timeless hardwood, your brand-new flooring is only as good as the subfloor beneath it. If your concrete foundation is cracked, wavy, or dipped, your beautiful new surface materials will eventually bounce, squeak, or break apart.

This is where creating a perfectly flat underlayment becomes absolutely critical. While popular home improvement shows make leveling a subfloor look like a simple weekend project, the reality of the process is far more complicated. Attempting a DIY self leveling floor installation is one of the most common—and expensive—mistakes enthusiastic homeowners make. We have seen countless DIY leveling disasters that ended up costing homeowners double what a professional job would have. In this comprehensive guide, we are going to break down the top reasons why you should leave this highly technical preparation step to seasoned experts.

Reason 1: Inadequate Subfloor Preparation Leads to Failure

The long-term success of any self leveling floor installation is entirely dependent on the foundational preparation work completed before a single drop of compound is poured. When homeowners attempt this project on their own, they often rush through or completely misunderstand the preparation phase. A concrete subfloor must be meticulously cleaned, completely free of dust, oils, old adhesives, and structural debris. Any existing cracks or deep divots must be patched and sealed properly beforehand; otherwise, the expensive liquid leveling compound will simply drain down into the cracks, wasting valuable material and failing to raise the floor height.

Furthermore, properly priming the subfloor is a non-negotiable step. Without the correct primer applied at the precise recommended thickness, the leveling compound will dry too quickly by pulling moisture from the porous concrete below. This aggressive drying leads to severe cracking, flaking, and complete structural failure of the underlayment. Professionals know exactly how to assess the moisture levels of a subfloor, identify structural weaknesses, and apply the specific primer required for your exact type of concrete.

Reason 2: The Mixture Must Be Mathematically Perfect

Self-leveling compound is an incredibly sensitive chemical product. Unlike standard outdoor concrete or basic brick mortar where you can adjust the consistency on the fly by adding a little more water or a scoop of powder, a proper self leveling floor installation requires mathematical precision. The water-to-powder ratio must be exact, measured down to the ounce, to achieve the required chemical reaction.

If you add too much water in hopes of making the mixture spread more easily across a large room, the heavy sand and aggregate will separate from the bonding agents. This results in a weak, chalky, and dusty surface layer that will crumble under the weight of foot traffic and cannot structurally support new flooring materials. If you add too little water, the compound will be far too thick to flow and seek its own level, completely defeating the purpose of using a self-leveling product in the first place. Professional flooring contractors utilize specialized measuring equipment and heavy-duty mixing drills to ensure the compound cures exactly as the manufacturer intended.

Reason 3: Extremely Fast Drying Times Create Panic

One of the most uniquely stressful aspects of a self leveling floor installation is the incredibly short working time. Self-leveling compounds are rapid-setting materials designed to cure quickly. Depending on the specific brand, the ambient temperature of your home, and the indoor humidity levels, you may only have 10 to 20 minutes from the moment the powder hits the water to pour, spread, and smooth the material before it begins to permanently harden.

For a DIYer mixing one bucket at a time, this creates a frantic, exhausting race against the clock. By the time you finish mixing your second bucket, the first pour is already starting to set. If you pour wet compound next to a section that has already begun to cure, the two batches will not blend seamlessly, creating a hard ridge or "cold joint" right in the middle of your room. Professionals solve this logistical nightmare by working in highly coordinated teams, ensuring a continuous, flawless "wet edge" across the entire room.

Reason 4: Specialized Tools and Equipment Are Mandatory

Achieving a glass-smooth surface requires far more than a hardware store bucket and a standard trowel. A professional-grade self leveling floor installation requires a highly specific set of tools that most homeowners simply do not have sitting in their garage. To spread the heavy liquid material evenly to the correct depth without pushing it too thin, you need a specialized gauge rake. To break the surface tension of the liquid and release trapped air bubbles—preventing tiny craters from forming as it dries—you must aggressively roll the wet compound with a spiked roller.

Even simply walking through the wet compound to reach different areas of the room requires specialized spiked shoes, which prevent you from leaving massive footprints in the setting concrete. Purchasing all of these single-use, specialty tools for a one-time weekend project significantly eats into any potential DIY savings you hoped to achieve. Professional flooring crews arrive fully equipped with heavy-duty mixing barrels, specific mixing paddles that do not trap air, and the physical experience necessary to wield these tools effectively under extreme time pressure.

Reason 5: The High Cost of Material Waste and Failure

Many homeowners attempt DIY home improvement projects specifically to save money, but a botched self leveling floor installation is incredibly expensive to fix. High-quality leveling compound is not cheap, and a standard living room or basement can easily require dozens of heavy bags. If a DIY pour goes wrong due to poor mixing, inadequate preparation, or simply running out of time, there is no easy cosmetic fix. You cannot simply sand down a massive concrete ridge or pour a thin liquid skim coat over a dusty, failing surface.

To correct a failed leveling job, the improperly hardened compound often has to be mechanically chipped, ground, or jackhammered out of the house. This creates massive amounts of hazardous silica dust, requires renting industrial demolition equipment, and adds days of grueling labor to your timeline. Once the failed material is removed, you have to purchase all the expensive materials a second time. Hiring a professional completely eliminates this massive financial risk.

Reason 6: Warranty Voidance and Lack of Accountability

When you purchase premium flooring materials—whether it is luxury vinyl, engineered hardwood, or ceramic tile—those beautiful products come with strict manufacturer warranties. However, these warranties explicitly state that the product must be installed over a structurally sound, perfectly flat subfloor that meets specific deflection standards. If your DIY self leveling floor installation is even slightly uneven, and your new floors begin to buckle, click, or separate months later, the flooring manufacturer will completely void your warranty, leaving you entirely responsible for the replacement costs.

When you hire a licensed, experienced contractor, you are buying peace of mind and strict accountability. Since 1993, we have stood firmly behind the superior quality of our work, offering a full one-year craftsmanship warranty on our labor. With our owner personally involved in every job, you are guaranteed strict quality control. If something isn't perfect, it is our professional responsibility to make it right, safely protecting your valuable home investment.

While tackling home improvement projects can be incredibly rewarding, creating a perfectly flat subfloor is a high-stakes endeavor that requires precision, speed, specialized tools, and chemical expertise. A flawless foundation is the ultimate secret to beautiful, long-lasting floors, and achieving that foundation is not a job for amateurs. Don't risk your time, money, and sanity on a frustrating weekend experiment.

If you are preparing for new flooring and need a professional self leveling floor installation , trust the local experts who have been proudly serving Southern Nevada for over three decades. Contact Excellent Floors in Las Vegas today to request your free estimate, and let us ensure your foundation is absolutely perfect before your beautiful new floors are laid.

Your Guide to Hardwood Refinishing

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:45:14 GMT

Hardwood floors are a timeless and elegant choice for any home. However, over time, they can become scratched, dull, or discolored. Refinishing your hardwood can breathe new life into your floors, making them look as good as new. In this guide, we will explore the benefits of hardwood refinishing and provide tips to help you successfully revitalize your floors.

Enhancing Your Home’s Aesthetics

One of the primary benefits of hardwood refinishing is the enhancement of your home's aesthetics. A well-refinished floor can transform a room, adding warmth and character. Whether you’re preparing your home for sale or simply looking to update your living space, refinishing can significantly improve the appearance of your floors. This process not only removes surface damage but also allows you to change the stain color, aligning it with your updated decor style.

Understanding Financial Benefits of Refinishing

Refinishing your floors isn’t just about aesthetics; it's also a smart financial decision. According to industry data, 27% of Realtors have suggested that sellers refinish their hardwood before listing their homes, and 5% say that doing so has helped close a sale. This indicates that a simple refinishing job can not only boost your home’s market appeal but might also enhance its resale value. It’s worth considering this affordable upgrade if you intend to put your property on the market.

Considering Environmental Advantages of Refinishing

Refinishing hardwood is also an environmentally sustainable option compared to replacing your flooring. Instead of contributing to landfill waste and consuming new materials, refinishing uses your existing floors. This green alternative reduces the carbon footprint associated with flooring replacement. Additionally, by maintaining your floors with regular refinishing, you can significantly extend their lifecycle, ensuring they remain a beautiful fixture in your home for years to come.

Refinishing your hardwood floors offers numerous benefits, from enhancing the beauty of your home to providing a potential increase in property value. Whether you’re selling your house or updating its interior, refinishing is an economical and environmentally friendly choice. Remember to plan the refinishing project carefully and, if needed, consult with professionals to achieve the best results. With the right approach, your hardwood floors will look majestic and continue to bring elegance to your home for many more years. Looking for hardwood refinishing services? Give Excellent Floors a call today.

How a Flooring Company Can Help You Achieve Your Dream Home

Tue, 28 May 2024 11:46:10 GMT

There are so many different projects homeowners can invest in to improve their homes. Flooring is a crucial aspect of your home that can affect you and your family in many ways. Let’s look at how hiring a local flooring company can help you achieve your dream home!

Improved Appearance

The floors in your home are under a lot of stress and traffic each day, which can cause wear over time. If your flooring has started to look worn and shabby, it’s probably time for an upgrade. Unattractive flooring can change the way you feel about your home. New floors will give every room a clean and fresh look.

Choosing new flooring can be exciting, as there are so many different types, styles, and patterns to consider. Wood floors continue to be a popular choice. In fact, according to the National Wood Flooring Association, about 66% of homeowners say their dream home has wood floors. Enjoy the process of choosing your new flooring as you make your dream home a reality.

Increased Home Value

When you have new floors installed, your home value will increase. Choose high-quality flooring and have it professionally installed to see that value reflected when you sell your property down the road. Any prospective buyers will be impressed by the beautiful flooring.

Renewed Lifespan

Flooring has a lifespan that’s based on the amount of traffic in your home and the quality of the chosen material. When you have new flooring installed, the lifespan starts over. With refinishing services performed by a professional flooring company every so often, you won’t have to worry about brand-new flooring again for many years!

Enhanced Air Quality

This isn’t usually a benefit that comes to mind when talking about new flooring, but having old flooring removed and new flooring installed will have a positive effect on the air quality in your home. As flooring ages, it begins to deteriorate. This sends tiny particles into the air and ultimately into your lungs.

These are just a few reasons to consider hiring a flooring company as you plan the home of your dreams. Our team at Excellent Floors has decades of experience refinishing and installing brand-new floors in homes like yours. Contact us today to learn more!

4 Reasons to Choose Hardwood Flooring Over Carpeting

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 18:02:29 GMT

Every home should have attractive and useful flooring that gives the owners a good return on their investment. Yet, most people opt for carpeting, which wears out after a few years. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, 75% of homes have carpeting and 58% have tile. If you are considering flooring options, here are four reasons why you should choose hardwood flooring over carpeting.

1. Hardwood Is Durable

The single biggest reason to get hardwood flooring is its durability. A properly installed hardwood floor can last as long as your home is standing. You can choose from a variety of hardwoods, including from trees that are grown and harvested locally. Locally sourced wood should cost less than imported timber or other wood that was harvested several states away and shipped to your location.

2. Hardwood Is Easy to Maintain

Maintaining a hardwood floor is a lot easier than maintaining carpeting. You just need to use a dust mop or broom to sweep up any debris. You also can polish the wood once or twice a year or hire a flooring service to do it and make the floors look shiny and new. Even minor scratches would be polished out while restoring the wood's natural luster. Clean and shiny hardwood flooring is very attractive and gives your home a much more natural feel.

3. Hardwood Is Repairable

Accidents happen that can damage hardwood flooring and carpeting. You might drop something heavy onto the floor that damages some of its wood. You also might spill something that could stain it if you don't clean it up as soon as possible. Cleaning carpeting is a lot harder than cleaning up a spill on well-maintained wooden flooring. In our experience, wood is less permeable and less likely to stain than carpeting. You might have to rent special equipment or hire a flooring service to clean or replace stained carpeting.

4. Carpeting Holds Debris and Pests

Another big advantage of hardwood flooring is that it does not give dirt or pests a place to hide. The fibers in carpeting hold dirt and enable pests to hide near the bottom. Regular vacuuming can help clean up the dirt and get rid of pests like fleas and cockroaches, but many will stay hidden away deep inside the carpet fibers. Hardwood flooring doesn't give them any cover.

Have questions? Call Excellent Floors to learn more about the benefits of hardwood flooring versus carpeting. You can schedule flooring services from our experienced technicians.

5 Benefits of Hardwood Flooring for Your Home

Fri, 19 May 2023 14:23:55 GMT

Hardwood floors are extremely popular with homeowners. According to a National Wood Flooring Association survey, approximately 52% of respondents have hardwood floors. Keep reading to discover more about the benefits of wood floors and why you should choose this type of flooring for your home.

1. They're Visually Appealing

Many homeowners are drawn to wood floors because of their appearance. Hardwood floors are timeless and work well with all decor styles, including modern furnishings and more eclectic pieces. Since people love wood floors, installing new floors could even boost the value of your house.

2. They're Easy to Care For

Some materials are difficult to clean, but it's easy to keep hardwood floors in excellent shape. As long as you sweep your floors regularly, they'll look fantastic. If your floors look dull, you can also use a wood cleaner to make them shine. It's a low-maintenance flooring material that will look fantastic for decades!

3. They're Resilient

Hardwood floors can last a lifetime with the proper care. You can even remove scratches and other signs of damage by having your floors refinished. Hardwood is an excellent choice if you're looking for a durable, long-lasting flooring material that you won't have to replace. Applying a protective coating to your floors is also a way to keep them in like-new condition.

4. There Are Lots of Options

Several types of wood are used for flooring, including maple, oak, and cherry. Since several varieties are available, you can choose a material that will look stunning in your home. You can even alter the look of your floors by applying a stain. It's a customizable solution that you can adapt to suit your needs.

5. They Offer Advantages Over Other Flooring Materials

Carpeting feels soft beneath your feet, but it collects allergens, like dust and dander, which can negatively affect your home's air quality. Vinyl floors are an inexpensive option, but they're challenging to repair. These issues are frustrating, but you won't have to deal with them if you opt for wood floors. If you install hardwood floors in your house, you can avoid common problems and enjoy your stunning new floors!

Hardwood floors offer notable advantages over other varieties of flooring . If you're preparing to install new floors in your home, give hardwood a closer look. You'll surely be impressed by all the benefits hardwood can provide! Contact us at Excellent Floors to learn more about wood floors!

Why You Need to Hire a Hardwood Refinishing Service

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 14:43:34 GMT

Hardwood floors offer beauty and functionality to your home, and refinishing them can transform your entire space. Working with a hardwood refinishing service is important if you want to get professional results. There are a lot of risks when it comes to refinishing hardwood floors that most homeowners are not willing to take. Read on to learn why a hardwood refinishing service could be the right answer for you.

They Have the Right Equipment

To get a professional-looking finish, you must have the right equipment. You also need to know how to properly operate the equipment. Misuse of these tools can leave your floors permanently damaged. Flooring experts not only have industry-grade equipment, but they also have the proper training to operate these tools and achieve amazing results. The right service comes fully prepared to restore your floors.

They Save You Time and Money

According to the National Association of Realtors, refinishing your hardwood floors offers a 147% return on investment, compared to 118% for new hardwood floors. A hardwood refinishing service can easily restore hardwood floors to their former glory and help you increase the value of your home. You can save a bundle by keeping the floors you have instead of replacing them.

In this day of DIY everything, a lot of homeowners take on projects they are not equipped to manage. Refinishing hardwood floors can be time-consuming unless you choose a professional service. A DIY hardwood floor refinishing project can easily waste quite a few weekends, not to mention the cost of renting the equipment you'll need. Going with a professional service will save you time and money.

They Achieve the Best Results

When you hire a professional to manage your hardwood floor restoration, you can rest assured that the project will be done right. A professional won't take shortcuts that could compromise the quality of the finished project. Professionals have the expertise to manage obstacles as they come up and the experience to know what it takes to create a high-quality product.

Revitalize your hardwood floors and enjoy all the benefits that this project can bring to your home by hiring a hardwood refinishing service. Call our team at Excellent Floors to get started today. We would love to assist you!

What to Expect During Hardwood Floor Refinishing

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 14:28:11 GMT

Flooring work is a worthwhile investment, especially floors that have lasted long. According to the Motley Fool, the average cost recovery for hardwood floor finish is about 100% which implies that you will get back whatever amount you spend on refinishing the floor whenever you resell the house.

Refinishing planks is one of the best methods of improving how older hardwood floors look. This procedure helps remove older finishes, thus making it compatible with any finish applied. Here are five things to consider when refinishing your floors.

Preparing the Floor for Refinishing

When you decide to refinish your house floors, you should begin preparing the floor for the finishing. While this task is handled by the experts, before they get to the site, you should move the furniture around and pull up the carpets so that they can start working. The refinishers begin by hammering down nails and checking if there are loose boards. After that, a comprehensive cleaning will be carried out to remove all dust traces.

Floor Sanding

Another critical aspect of hardwood floor refinishing is the sanding of the wood. This process helps remove scratches and stains. During this stage, great precautions such as wearing safety goggles, masks, and full sleeve suits are employed for total safety while working on the site.

Floor Screening

A buffer and a fine-grit screening pad help level up all unevenness in this stage. This helps the tabletop achieve total smoothness so that the polyurethane can blend well with the surface.

Dust Removal

For your hardwood floor refinishing to be perfect, you must engage in rigorous vacuuming and sweeping to ensure the floors are well cleaned. Different measures are usually taken in this step, such as shutting the windows and doors to prevent dust inflow.

Application of Finishes

Finally, you will need to apply a protective coat of wood finish to give your wooden floors the needed protection. There are several finishes available in the market that you can use to make your floors look as new as possible. As soon as the finishing dries up, you can put the furniture in place, but do not drag it on newly refurbished floors.

In summary, keeping your house in top shape will determine its overall value. Hardwood floor refinishing is one of the smartest ways to increase the overall value of your home while giving it the new and exciting touch it deserves.

5 Signs You Need to Refinish Your Hardwood Floors

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 11:13:29 GMT

It's official! Carpet is out and hardwood floors are in. However, homeowners should know that the quality of their hardwood floors matters, too. If you're looking at the wooden floors in your home and wondering if now is the time to embark on hardwood refinishing , you've come to the right place. Here are five signs you need to refinish those beautiful hardwood floors!

Scratches Everywhere

Is there a favorite desk chair that is constantly being moved out from under its accompanying desk? Chances are there are also scuff marks or scratches that outline the exact pattern of movement that the chair has made on your hardwood floors. If you notice many areas of scratches or grooves on your floors, it's probably time to consider hardwood refinishing.

Loss of Luster

Have you noticed that your floors don't seem to shine as brightly as they used to? Hardwood floors should have a glean, or luster, to them that tends to fade away with sunlight and time. In areas of your home that receive a lot of sun, it's common to find that the wood is a little duller there as well. If you're seeing this in your home, it's definitely time to start the hardwood refinishing process.

Water Damage

You've probably heard how bad it is to let spilled liquids soak into wood floors. This is a legitimate worry for those who have hardwood floors. If your floors have water damage, it is really important to refinish your floors before the problem becomes worse. If you don't take care of this problem, it can become a very expensive problem down the road.

Greying Boards

If you notice that some boards in your house appear to have turned grey, this means that the polyurethane, of the varnish used to protect the floors, is now wearing off. Without this protection, your hardwood floors run the risk of absorbing liquids that could permanently damage your floors, to the point where they have to be replaced. Save yourself from an expensive project by investing in hardwood refinishing as soon as possible.

Boards That Have Blackened

You may not have noticed that some of your flooring was turning grey and, consequently, now you're noticing that areas of your wooden floors are now black. This is a sign that you will either have to invest in staining the rest of your floors to match the blackened boards, or you will need to replace the blackened boards entirely. This is why it's super important to notice the signs you need to refinish your floors before it's too late, and they require replacement.

Hardwood Refinishing is Important

Deciding to begin the process of hardwood refinishing not only helps protect your floors from damage and aging, it can also be a sound investment in the equity of your home. In fact, according to Millionacres.com, 27% of realtors suggest to their clients that they refinish their hardwood floors before listing their homes, and 5% say that doing so actually helps close a sale. People are attracted to homes with flooring that has a beautiful sheen to them that really accentuates the beauty of the wood. Don't wait until it's too late to refinish your floors!