That perfectly smooth, level floor you envisioned is now a landscape of bumps, cracks, and uneven patches. A failed self-levelling project can be a homeowner's nightmare, especially in NSW where quality and durability are paramount. But don't despair! At Elyment Group, we specialise in turning flooring disasters into dream surfaces. This guide will walk you through the professional process of sanding and skim coating to rescue your floors. Why Did My Self-Levelling Project Fail? Before diving into the solution, it’s crucial to understand the cause. Most self-levelling failures in Sydney and across NSW stem from a few common culprits: Inadequate Surface Preparation: The substrate was dirty, dusty, or not properly primed, leading to poor adhesion. Incorrect Mixing: Too much or too little water in the self-levelling compound can weaken it and prevent it from flowing correctly. Wrong Product Choice: Using a compound not suited for your specific subfloor (e.g., timber or concrete) is a recipe for disaster. Moisture Issues: Unaddressed moisture in the subfloor can cause the levelling compound to bubble, crack, or delaminate over time. The Professional Solution: Sanding and Skim Coating So, how do you fix it? A two-step process of aggressive sanding followed by a meticulous skim coat is often the best approach for salvaging a failed self-levelling project. Step 1: Aggressive Sanding – Creating a Blank Canvas The first order of business is to remove the failed self-levelling compound and create a stable, uniform base. This isn’t a job for a simple hand sander. What does it involve? Heavy-Duty Grinding: We use industrial-grade concrete grinders with diamond-impregnated discs to mechanically remove the faulty levelling compound. Dust Control: Our advanced grinding equipment is fitted with high-powered dust extractors to ensure a clean and safe environment, protecting your home and family. Surface Profiling: The goal is not just to remove the old layer but also to create a textured profile on the subfloor. This "opens up" the concrete or timber, ensuring the new skim coat will bond tenaciously. Step 2: Skim Coating – The Art of a Flawless Finish With the failed material gone and the subfloor perfectly prepped, it's time to apply a new skim coat. This is where precision and expertise truly shine. What is a skim coat? A skim coat is a very thin layer of a high-quality, cementitious compound applied over a surface to smooth out imperfections. Unlike a thick layer of self-leveller, a skim coat is about achieving a glass-like finish. The process includes: Priming: Applying the correct, high-adhesion primer is non-negotiable. This seals the subfloor and creates an unbreakable bond with the new skim coat. Expert Application: Our skilled technicians apply the skim coat with precision trowels, ensuring an even, consistent layer that fills every imperfection. Feathering Edges: We meticulously "feather" the edges to create a seamless transition, ensuring no ridges or lines are visible. Curing: The skim coat is allowed to cure properly, resulting in a hard, durable, and perfectly smooth surface ready for any type of flooring – from timber to tiles. Key Takeaways: Your Path to a Perfect Floor A failed self-levelling project is salvageable with professional help. The solution involves aggressive sanding and a precise skim coat. Proper surface preparation is the key to a long-lasting finish. Always entrust this kind of remedial work to experienced professionals to avoid further costly mistakes. Don't let a flooring failure derail your renovation project. If you're in Sydney or anywhere in NSW and facing a similar challenge, the experts at Elyment Group are here to help. Follow us on X @ElymentGroup or visit our website for more information. Rescue Your Floor Now! /* CTA Container */ .cta-container { text-align: center; margin: 30px 0; } /* Base Button */ .btn { background-color: #022b5f; /* Brand Blue */ color: #fff; border: none; padding: 10px 20px; border-radius: 5px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center; display: inline-block; margin-top: 20px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; font-size: 16px; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease; box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(2, 43, 95, 0.5); position: relative; overflow: hidden; } /* Hover + Focus */ .btn:hover, .btn:focus-visible { background-color: #16443e; /* Darker shade */ box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(22, 70, 138, 0.7); transform: translateY(-2px); /* Subtle lift */ outline: none; } /* CTA Variant */ .cta-btn { background-color: #e67e22; /* CTA Orange */ box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(230, 126, 3, 0.5); } /* CTA Hover */ .cta-btn:hover, .cta-btn:focus-visible { background-color: #d96b1b; /* Darker orange */ box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(217, 107, 27, 0.7); }