How to fix a botched self leveling compound job with dips
When self-leveling compound sets too quickly, it leaves behind unexpected high spots, thin coverage, and persistent dips in the subfloor. Fixing this botched application requires grinding down the high areas and pouring a fresh, properly mixed patch layer before you can safely install new flooring.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
How to fix a botched self leveling compound job with dips
- 1Grinding down the uneven compound and applying another proper layer on topDid this help you?
- 2Breaking up the hardened compound and starting freshDid this help you?
- 3light spreading with a wire rakeDid this help you?
- 4setting a datum using screws in the floor, leveling gauges, or depth pinsDid this help you?
- 5Doing multiple pours in specific sectionsDid this help you?
- 6Using feather finish or patching compoundsDid this help you?
- 7Accepting that self-leveling compound only creates a flat surface rather than a truly level oneDid this help you?
- 8Applying a coat of primer to seal and prevent dusting if the surface is levelDid this help you?
- 9Grinding out excess or improperly mixed materialDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I've tried two pours. The first was on my whole floor and once it dried I realized nothing was actually level even though it looked flat. It also had a few small dips and not smooth sections.”source ↗
“That pour ended up being unlevel in the exact same spots, now it's just a little higher than the rest of my bathroom floor. It also has some pretty big dips now.”source ↗
“I don't understand what I'm doing wrong.”source ↗
“I poured the compound on my floor and it did not really spread the way I expected. It just stayed pooled in the middle.”source ↗
“I somehow had more material on my high spots and paper, thin coverage on my low spots.”source ↗
“the material was already starting to get firm. I panicked and whipped up a second bucket of self leveler.”source ↗
“Self leveling compound is very streaky? I followed the instructions on the level quick advance bag to the best of my ability. Maybe I wasn’t There are some soft sections (enough to scratch) and some that are extremely hard roughly 10 hours post pour.”source ↗
“Oomph. Looks like the mix wasn't mixed properly. The soft spots are where the mix was dry.”source ↗
“Used some Henrys 555 self leveling on a dip in my subfloor. Spent a little too much time mixing and not enough time laying it out. Tried my best to feather it out with a trowel. There's still a pretty decent dip. What do we think are the best steps to save this?”source ↗
“It’s solide enough to walk on, just soft to the nail in some spots”source ↗
Where this came up
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