Sika® Level SkimCoat
Fast setting, cement based smoothing and finishing compound
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Sika® Level SkimCoat is a one-component, easy to use and fast drying, cementitious skim mortar ideal for the repair or reprofiling of concrete, approved wood subfloors, and correctly prepared ceramic or quarry tiles before the installation of Sika® Level products or final floor coverings. Can be installed as a true featheredge as well as filling voids and leveling defects up to 1/2” (13 mm) in depth.
- Easy to prepare and quick to apply
- Repairs new and renovate old floors
- Good adhesion to substrates, subfloors and stable adhesive residue
- Rapid setting; receives primers, levelers, adhesives and coverings without delay
- Excellent standard of finish can be achieved to allow direct application of coverings
- Unlimited MVER (Moisture Vapor Emission Rate)
Usage
- Used to reprofile substrates or subfloor surfaces from feather edge to 1/2” (13 mm) prior to applying Sika® Level products or floor finishes
- Repair minor defects, holes, cracks and pre-fill non-moving joints and seams in concrete and wood substrates
- Suitable for use with radiant heating systems
Advantages
- Easy to prepare and quick to apply
- Repairs new and renovate old floors
- Good adhesion to substrates, subfloors and stable adhesive residue
- Rapid setting; receives primers, levelers, adhesives and coverings without delay
- Excellent standard of finish can be achieved to allow direct application of coverings
- Unlimited MVER (Moisture Vapor Emission Rate)
Packaging
10 lb (4.5 kg) bag
Pack of 4 bags
Color
Gray powder
Product Details
APPROVALS / STANDARDS
LEED V4.1 California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.2: Private Office, School Classroom, and Residential
Shelf Life
12 months from date of production if stored properly in original, un-opened and undamaged sealed packaging
Storage Conditions
Store dry at 41°–86 °F (5°–30 °C)
Protect from moisture. If damp, discard material
Compressive Strength
| 28 days | 3,700 psi (25 MPa) |
Flexural Strength
| 28 days | 1,300 psi (9 MPa) |
Application
Mixing Ratio
2 qts (1.9 L) of water per bag
Layer Thickness
| Min. | Max.* |
| Feather edge | 1/2’’ (13 mm) |
* Higher thicknesses possible in small and localized area (birdbath, etc.)
Product Temperature
65–75 °F (18–24 °C)
Ambient Air Temperature
50–86 °F (10–30 °C)
Where temperatures exceed 86 °F (30 °C), refer to and follow ACI hot weather application and protection guidelines.
Relative Air Humidity
< 75%
Substrate Temperature
50–86 °F (10–30 °C)
Pot Life
~ 10–20 minutes
The temperature will affect the pot life:
-
Above 73 °F (23 °C) will reduce the pot life and the working time.
-
Below 73 °F (23 °C) will extend the pot life and the working time.
Waiting / Recoat Times
| Feather edge | 20 minutes |
| Polyurthane adhesives | > 16 hours |
Set Time
| 20 - 30 minutes | (ASTM C-266) |
Final set time
| 30 - 60 minutes | (ASTM C-266) |
Coverage
35 ft2 at 1/8” depth (3.2 m2 at 3 mm)
(Coverage figures do not include allowance for surface profile and porosity or material waste)
MIXING
- As with all prebagged cement products, some settlement may have occurred during storage and transportation and dry blending of the material is recommended.
- Pour 2 quarts (1.9 L) of potable water (~ 70 °F, 21.1 °C) into a suitably sized and clean mixing container, using a calibrated measuring jug, or similar, to ensure strict control of the water content (do not over-water). If available water is not at 70 °F (21.1 °C), then consideration should be given to cooling/heating the water. Add Sika® Level SkimCoatto the water, while slowly mixing, adding the complete contents of the 10 lb. (4.5 kg) bag.
- Mixing with a high-speed drill (> 600 rpm) and a mortar/grout mixing paddle to blend water and powder for 2–3 minutes, continue mixing until a lump-free uniform mix has been produced.
- Smaller volumes can also be mixed by hand for 2–3 minutes with a ratio of 3:1 part water. Mix until a uniform, lump free and smooth consistency is achieved.
- Avoid entrapment of air and excessive mixing as this will impact performance. Do not mix more mortar than can be used within the stated pot life and working time, taking into consideration ambient temperatures.
APPLICATION
- Using a flat edge steel trowel, apply Sika® Level SkimCoat immediately following mixing.
- Ensure that the compound is tightly trowelled into all defects, seams, and non-moving joints or across roughened surfaces as required.
- Where defects, details or roughened surfaces require repair or reprofiling to a depth greater than 1/2” (13 mm), use the appropriate Sika® Level SkimCoat Level products.
FAQ
No, they are not. For standard-size tile < 15”, the substrate flatness tolerance is no more than ¼” variance in 10”. For tile > 15”, the substrate flatness tolerance is no more than 1/8” variance in 10’. This applies to any substrate whether it is a wall, floor, ceiling etc.
No. Thinset is an adhesive, not a patching or leveling compound. Thinsets are
designed to be a certain thickness and when that thickness is greater than what the thinset can handle, shrinking will occur. Use a product that is designed for patching or leveling.
Almost all self-leveling underlayments require a primer. A primer helps with drying, flowability and bonding. Check with the manufacturer to see if the selected SLU needs a primer. For SikaLevel® SLUs, a primer is required for each pour.
Some old “cutback” black residues may contain asbestos. If the residue has asbestos, a professional will need to remove it. If the black residue does not contain asbestos, it may be removed by mechanical means such as sand blasting or grinding. Some products can encapsulate the black residue, preventing mechanical removal. Check Technical Services to find the correct products.
In most cases, flat is better than level. For example, an exterior deck needs to be flat and not level. Building codes require the deck to be pitched away from the building, which would make the deck not level. But, to install tile the deck must be flat. So, it all depends on the application.
When a flooring substrate does not meet industry flatness tolerances or when a substrate needs to be raised/lifted. Every self-leveling underlayment has a thickness threshold it can be used for. Speak with a SikaTile® Technical Representative for assistance.