How Long Before You Can Walk on Self-Levelling Compound?
25/03/2025The drying time for self-levelling compounds can vary from product to product and project to project. This can influence how long you should wait before walking or working on your newly laid surface. By understanding the different factors that can impact self-levelling drying times, you can reduce project downtime and ensure a professional flooring finish.
Self-Levelling Compound Drying vs Curing
Self-levelling compound goes through two main processes once laid: drying and curing. Each offers different qualities to your compound, helping to create a strong, durable surface for your flooring. Drying refers to moisture evaporating from the compound, while curing refers to the hardening and strengthening of the mixture. You must ensure both are established before working or walking on them.
How Long Does it Take for Self-Levelling Compound to Dry?
On average, self-levelling compounds can take 4 to 24 hours to dry. But with so many different self-levelling compounds available, drying speeds can vary. We recommend reading the manufacturer’s instructions to achieve their recommended drying times.
Standard Drying Compounds – These are often cement-based and take 24-48 hours to fully dry and cure.
Rapid-setting Compounds – These are ideal for tight timelines as they can dry and cure in as little as 4-6 hours.
Latex Self-Levelling Compound - These are more flexible and have improved adhesion, typically drying in 12-24 hours.
However, these can be influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, environmental conditions, and the subbase you’re working with.
For surface preparation, mortar repair products are essential for filling cracks and holes, ensuring a smooth and stable base before applying the self-levelling compound. Mortar repairs generally require 24 - 48 hours to dry sufficiently.
To ensure your subbase is ready for self-levelling compound application, conduct moisture testing. Accurate moisture readings prevent issues such as poor adhesion or delayed curing, ensuring a professional finish.
Factors Affecting Self-Levelling Compound Drying Times
Air temperature
The temperature of the environment in which you’re laying the self-levelling compound greatly impacts drying times. Warmer temperatures are ideal as they can accelerate the chemical reaction within the compound and the drying time. Colder temperatures slow the chemical reaction, resulting in a slower drying time.
Humidity levels
Moisture in the air can stall drying times and delay your project timeline. Reducing the humidity in the room can fully evaporate moisture and increase drying times. Before you begin, ensure your room has proper airflow and ventilation. You can also install a dehumidifier to reduce humidity or use fans to help air circulation.
Application thickness
The drying time of most self-levelling compounds is based on a 3mm thickness. Thinner layers of compound (1-5mm), ideal for evening or repairing surfaces, can dry within 4-8 hours. Medium layers of compound, anything from 3-10mm, usually take 24 hours to dry. Thick layers of 10mm or higher can take 48 hours to completely dry and be ready to walk on.
Subfloor material
The type of subfloor you’re applying your self-levelling compound to and how you prep it will influence drying times. Concrete and non-porous materials take longer to absorb moisture, extending drying times. Meanwhile, plywood, timber, and porous materials absorb moisture quickly, speeding up the drying process.
Internal vs external flooring
Another significant factor in self-levelling compound drying times is its location. Internally, you can control the air temperature, ventilation and humidity levels, allowing you to manage drying speed effectively. Externally, you are exposed to the elements. It’s best to check the weather forecast before laying your self-levelling compound and keep it covered to protect it from wind or rain. Depending on the air temperature outside, drying may take longer.
Top Tips for Effective Drying
Prep your subbase correctly
Follow the manufacturer's instructions
Check and improve ventilation before you begin
Aim for a warm, dry environment for optimum drying
Avoid thick layers – apply multiple thin layers instead
Leave your compound to dry overnight
To achieve the best results, using the right self-levelling tools is essential. Tools like spiked rollers, pin levellers, and flooring trowels help ensure even application and a smooth finish. These tools are designed to optimise drying and levelling, giving you a flawless final result.
How Long Before You Can Walk on Self-Levelling Compound?
For most self-levelling compounds at 3mm thick, you can usually walk on the surface after 24 hours. However, we strongly recommend checking that the mixture has thoroughly dried and cured before walking or working on it. If you require a faster-drying self-levelling compound, view our comparison chart below.
If you need to access the surface sooner or something on the other side of the room, spiked venting shoes are a great solution. These allow you to walk over freshly laid self-levelling compound without disturbing it, ensuring a smooth and even finish. Products like 25mm spiked shoes and Kubala spiked venting shoes are ideal for this purpose and can help you maintain professional results during application.
Brand | Product | Image | Minimum application thickness | Drying time for light foot traffic | Drying time for tiling | Drying time for wood, vinyl or porcelain | Drying time for carpet |
 | 3mm | 2 hours | 8 hours | 8 hours | 8 hours | ||
Ultra Tile Fix ProLevel Fibre Reinforced Flexible Self Levelling Compound |  | 3 – 75mm | 3 hours | 8 hours | 8 hours | 8 hours | |
 | 2 – 15mm | 30 minutes | 45 – 60 minutes | 90 minutes | 90 minutes | ||
 | 2 – 10mm | 1 – 2 hours | 4 – 6 hours | 4 – 6 hours | 4 – 6 hours | ||
 | 2 – 20mm | 2 – 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours | ||
 | 2 – 15mm | 30 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins |
H3: How to Test Your Self-Compound is Fully Dry
If you have followed the manufacturer's guidelines, your compound should be dry and ready to use within the recommended time frame. These tests apply to both internal and external self-levelling compounds, including those designed for outdoor use.
Pin Meter Test
Take a pin meter to see how easily it compresses into the surface. If it penetrates the surface, it’s not set. Some pin meters also have a colour gauge – if the indicator is red, moisture is detected, and your compound needs longer to dry.
Outdoor self-levelling compounds, such as the BAL External Level Out, may take longer to dry depending on the environmental conditions, like humidity and temperature.
Scratch Test
After the recommended drying time, scratch a small 5mm area of the surface. If the layer underneath is dry, your compound is ready for use. For external applications, ensure that weather conditions have not interfered with drying - covering the area during rain or high humidity can help.
What if I Walk on Self-Levelling Compounds Too Soon?
If you walk on your self-levelling compound too soon, you risk indenting the surface, causing cracks, and ultimately creating an uneven finish. If this is the case, you can apply a thin layer of compound on top to repair the dent or crack. Wait until the first layer has fully dried before applying the top layer, and ensure you leave it for the entire drying period before use.
Using Self-Levelling Compound Outdoors
When working on external projects such as patios, balconies, driveways, or swimming pools, it’s essential to use self-levelling compounds specifically designed for outdoor use. These products, like Kerakoll Levelflex External or BAL External Level Out Compound, are formulated to withstand exposure to rain, frost, and temperature fluctuations while maintaining durability and performance.
Considerations and Best Practices
When it comes to using the right self-levelling compound, consider the location and timeframe of your project. This will indicate how much time you have to allow your compound to cure and dry, and influence which type of self-leveling compound is best for an even and aesthetically pleasing finish.
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If you need help or advice when placing a self-levelling compound order, please call 01604 859800 or email [email protected].