Choosing a floor primer

Priming the subfloor is a mandatory and important step in the formation of the floor covering. Surface preparation for laying decorative material is carried out using primers and can be carried out independently.

Primer mixtures are easy to dilute and easy to use, and a surface treated with such a composition acquires the following valuable properties:

• Increased adhesion. This quality is of great importance for the subsequent installation of self-leveling floors and self-leveling mixtures. The adhesion between the materials becomes very strong, thereby preventing the formation of the layer from peeling;
• Due to the deep penetration of the solution deep into the rough surface, the particles of the material bind to the composition, forming a monolithic structure. As a result, the consumption of bulk and paint coatings is significantly reduced, and the surface begins to repel dust. At the same time, air exchange does not decrease, and the moisture-repellent properties of the subfloor increase;

• The surface becomes more resistant to moderate mechanical damage, and the existing microcracks and small flaws are effectively masked;
• After priming, wooden bases become less vulnerable to the effects of external factors. Reduces the risk of fungus, mold, insects and the growth of pathogens. Treated wood gets rid of the resin and acquires high waterproofing properties.

The role of primers in the installation of floors is often underestimated. This is due to insufficient knowledge of material properties. During the drying process, the concrete evaporates almost all the water, as a result of which voids and cavities are formed inside the concrete layer, which partially weaken the base. Also, the concrete screed has low adhesion. As a result, swelling, peeling and chipping of the top layer are possible, leading to partial repair, and sometimes to complete dismantling of the self-leveling coating.

The primer should also be used during the initial formation of the subfloor. In this case, floor slabs are primed. This will allow the solidifying mixture to be firmly connected to the reinforced concrete slab and ensure the formation of a uniform layer. The use of a primer will significantly increase the adhesion of the subfloor and create a flat, firm and smooth surface.

The service life of the finish flooring, which can be a self-leveling decorative floor, tile, parquet or porcelain stoneware, depends on the quality of adhesion. In cases where the finishing coat is laminate and linoleum, the base is primed if the decorative coating is planned to be glued to the base.

Modern manufacturers present a huge number of floor primers, different in composition, conditions of future use, purpose and form of release. There are both universal and specialized models, when buying which you need to take into account not only the composition of the mixture, but also what functional load the room will be exposed to.An antibacterial solution should be used in the children's room, a hydrophobic mixture with deep penetration should be chosen in the bathroom and kitchen, and the wooden floor of the attic should be coated with an antifungal compound.

According to the release form, soils are ready-to-use and concentrated., which are not recommended to be used without dilution. According to the degree of influence of the mixture, there can be superficial and deep penetration. The first ones are applied on solid bases that do not require additional strengthening. Such a solution is absorbed into the floor by only two millimeters. Deep penetrating primer is used to impregnate weakened surfaces that require additional protection. The composition penetrates inside by 6-10 centimeters and significantly strengthens the base.

The target load of primers is different. On this basis, the compositions are divided into anti-corrosion, antiseptic, antifungal and frost-resistant. There are also soils that provide the treated surface with high moisture-repellent properties. They form a thin film on the surface of the base and reliably protect the subfloor from moisture penetration from above.

By their composition, floor primers are of the following types:

• Alkyd. This type of primer is intended for treating wooden substrates before painting. Under the influence of the alkyd mixture, the top layer of the wood changes its structure, as a result of which the adhesion to the next coating becomes very high. The primer protects the wood from the appearance of parasites and mold. The time for complete drying depends on the softness and porosity of the wood and varies from 10 to 15 hours;

• Acrylic the mixture is versatile. It is able to strengthen the loose and porous structure of the sub-floor well, does not exude a strong unpleasant odor and dries quickly. Complete drying time varies from 3 to 5 hours. The mixture is released in a concentrated form and diluted with water on its own. Penetrates deep into the pores and contributes to the formation of a homogeneous structure of the material, which significantly increases the strength of adhesion to the next coating. It is used for processing cement screeds, concrete floors, gas silicate blocks, bricks and wood;

• Epoxy. It is used for priming concrete surfaces exposed to moisture. The primer is chemically resistant and it is necessary to use special solvents when diluting it. It is used to prepare the subfloor before applying self-leveling compounds or painting. Application on a slightly damp surface is allowed. The subfloor treated with an epoxy primer acquires high moisture-protective properties, due to which this composition is used to form the floors of swimming pools, bathrooms and kitchens;

• Polyurethane. Designed to prepare concrete floors for painting. Due to its composition, the primer provides high adhesion of concrete and enamel - when applied, the paint does not absorb and does not spread, and after drying it does not flake or crack;
• Glyphthalic. It is used for coatings of metal and wood in the preparation of surfaces for painting with enamel. The base is an alkyd varnish with additives in the form of pigments, stabilizers and desiccant. The disadvantage is the long drying time, which is 24 hours;

• Perchlorovinyl. A versatile primer for wood, concrete and metal floors. Contains toxic substances, therefore it cannot be used in residential and public spaces. Complete drying time is equal to one hour. The line of the type includes modifications with a pronounced anti-corrosion effect, which are recommended for use on rusty surfaces. Thanks to special components, corrosion processes are stopped and the metal stops collapsing;

• Polyvinyl acetate. Synthetic primer based on latex or polyvinyl acetate dispersion. Used to prepare the floor for the application of polyvinyl acetate paints. To form more saturated shades of the final color, dyes are added to the primer. It is used for processing plasterboard, brick and stone bases. When applied, it forms a film, therefore paint consumption is reduced. Dries completely within half an hour;
• Phenolic primer used in the preparation of wood and metal floors for further painting. It contains toxic components, so the use of soil in residential buildings is prohibited. The primer is one- and two-component. The time for complete drying of the first is 8 hours, desiccants are added to the composition of the second, which significantly accelerate this process. Both types form a thin film that has high thermal stability and provides good waterproofing;

• Polystyrene. Suitable for priming wooden surfaces, it is made from highly toxic solvents, and therefore cannot be used in living spaces. Recommended for use on outdoor verandas, terraces and gazebos. Well suited for processing a porch, slows down the process of decay of a tree and prevents the appearance of insects;
• Shellac. It is used for priming softwood floors before staining. It removes resin stains well, therefore it is recommended for application to ends and cuts, as well as for covering knot zones. Complete drying occurs 24 hours after use.

For cooking, you need to pour one part of the glue into the container and slowly pour two parts of water into it. Next, mix the composition well, add a little crushed gypsum or chalk and mix again. The resulting composition is well suited for self-leveling mixtures, laying porcelain stoneware, tiles and linoleum, as well as for installing a self-leveling floor with the subsequent installation of a "warm" one. For priming concrete surfaces, cement M400 can be added to the mortar.

You can also make an acrylic solution on your own. This requires a finely dispersed binder at the rate of 50%, liquid - 45%, copper sulfate - 1%, laundry soap - 1%, antifoam and coalescent are added as needed in the amount of 1.5% of the total mass.

A defoamer is added if the binder begins to foam heavily during dilution and the coalescent is needed to lower the minimum film-forming temperature. At a temperature not exceeding 5 degrees, it can not be used. If it is supposed to store the solution for seven or more days after its preparation, it is necessary to add a biocide to the composition. Copper sulfate prevents the appearance of fungus and mold, therefore, when processing wooden surfaces, its use is necessary.

The main factor in the selection of the mixture is the type of subfloor, the surface of which is supposed to be primed. For screeds made of concrete, acrylic and epoxy primers are suitable, for wooden bases such as solid wood, chipboard or OSB, acrylic, alkyd, glyphthalic or polystyrene solutions would be a good option. The floors that are planned to be varnished should be treated with transparent compounds, and when preparing the floor for enamel painting, you can use opaque mixtures with the addition of coloring pigments.

Anti-alkaline soils are used for the treatment of concrete substrates with fire-fighting components in the composition. And impregnation "betonokontakt", specially created for concrete screeds, will provide strong adhesion of concrete and flooded floors.In the case when it is necessary to additionally strengthen the rough base, deep penetration mixtures are used, and for priming hard coatings, it will be enough to use a surface solution.

The following companies are major manufacturers of floor primers:

• Knauf - a concern from Germany, well known to domestic consumers since 1993. The company's products have many positive reviews and are of high quality and environmental friendliness. The most common are the priming mixtures "Tiefengrunt" and "Betonkontakt", characterized by deep penetration of the solution;
• Caparol - a popular German manufacturer that produces a wide range of paints and varnishes and related products. Thanks to affordable prices and high quality, the demand for primers of this brand is growing steadily;

• Bergauf Is a young company that successfully entered the building materials market and immediately took one of the leading positions. The domestic consumer highly appreciates the primer mixture "Primer", which is distinguished by its versatility and high environmental friendliness of the solution. The composition can be used at any humidity and temperature, while forming a smooth and durable surface, completely ready for pouring and laying flooring;
• Unis - a Russian concern consisting of a group of companies and producing a wide range of products that meet high European standards. Primers of this brand can be used for work in any climatic zone, providing reliable adhesion to the decorative coating in conditions of aggressive external influences.

For information on how to prime the floor screed, see the next video.