With underfloor heating, the entire floor build-up needs to work together. The screed, heating pipes, primer, levelling layer, and final floor all affect the result. That's why levelling with underfloor heating requires a system-oriented approach.
Why level with underfloor heating?
After milling channels for underfloor heating, grooves are created in an existing screed. The screed itself can also be too rough or uneven for the new floor. Levelling can be used to create a suitable flat base again.
Can you just level over underfloor heating?
Not without first looking at the type of system and the subfloor. The treatment of the grooves, primer, and levelling mortar all need to match the chosen floor build-up.
Which self-levelling compound for underfloor heating?
Use a product that, according to the manufacturer, is suitable for the specific application. Pay attention to the subfloor, layer thickness, temperature load, primer, and final flooring.
Milled-in underfloor heating
With milled-in pipes, the condition of the existing screed is especially important. A weak or cracked floor doesn't improve just by filling the grooves. So check the base first.
Does underfloor heating need to be off during levelling?
Temperature affects the processing and drying of floor products. Follow the start-up and cool-down protocol that belongs to the system, and don't use the underfloor heating to force the self-levelling compound to dry faster.
Levelling for a floor with underfloor heating
Determine in advance which final flooring will be laid. Adhesive-bonded vinyl, for example, requires a very flat subfloor and an adhesive and floor build-up suitable for underfloor heating.
Think in layers
View the floor as one whole: structural floor, screed, underfloor heating, repair, primer, levelling, and final flooring. A product that seems suitable on its own also needs to match the layers before and after it.