SikaCeram®-488 Floor Leveler

Portland cement, selected aggregates and polymers

12 months from date of production

The product must be stored in dry conditions in original sealed undamaged packaging at temperatures between +5 °C and +35 °C. Protect from direct sunlight, heat and moisture.

All values at +30 °C, dry cure.

+10 °C min. / +35 °C max.

75 % max.

+10 °C min. / +35 °C max.

≥ 20 minutes (100 g mass, +30 °C)

Important: Before applying floor covering, make sure the SikaCeram®-488 Floor Leveler has achieved the required moisture content value required by the covering manufacturer. (Refer to the covering Product Data Sheet).

SikaCeram®-488 Floor Leveler can be covered as follows:

Note: Times are approximate and measured at +20 °C (ambient) / +15 °C (substrate) / 65 % r.h.

Note: Application times will be affected by changing substrate and ambient conditions, layer thickness and water content.

Ready for foot traffic in ~3 hours

Note: Values determined in laboratory conditions at +23 °C and 50 % r.h. Time will be affected by changing substrate and ambient conditions, layer thickness and water content.

Important: In some conditions, finished floor will develop several white spots during the curing process. This is normal and has no effect on the performance of the cured floor.

~1.55 kg/m² per mm thickness (dry powder)

This figure is theoretical and does not include any additional material required due to surface porosity, surface profile, variations in level or
wastage etc.

Select the most appropriate equipment required for the project:

Substrate preparation equipment

• Abrasive blasting cleaning equipment
• Planing machine
• Scarifying machine
• High pressure water blasting equipment
• Sanding equipment

For other types of preparation equipment, contact Sika Technical Services.

Mixing equipment

• Electric single or double paddle mixer (< 600 rpm) with helical disc-shaped or spiral helix paddle
• Scraper
• Clean mixing containers

For other types of mixing equipment, contact Sika Technical Services.

Application equipment

• Mixed material carrier
• Pin-leveller (Pin-rake)
• Surface blade
• Screed rake
• Notched trowel
• Smoothing trowels
• Spike roller

For types of pumping equipment, contact Sika Technical Services.

• Suitable substrates are concrete, cementitious screeds, rapid cement screeds or calcium sulphate screeds.
• Cementitious substrates (concrete / screed) must be sound.
• Substrates must be clean, dry and free of all contaminants such as dirt, oil, grease, polish, coatings, water-soluble and water-resistant  adhesives, varnish, laitance, surface treatments and loose friable material.

• Prepare substrates and remove separation and sinter layers mechanically by selecting and using abrasive blast cleaning, grinding or planing / scarifying equipment for the type of substrate.
• The final texture of the substrate must be open textured and gripping.
• Remove weak cementitious and levelling layers.
• Surface defects such as blow holes and voids must be fully exposed using the surface preparation equipment.
• Use products from the Sikafloor®, Sikadur® and Sikagard® range of materials to level the surface or fill cracks, blow holes and voids. Contact Sika Technical Services for additional information on products for levelling and repairing defects.
• Products must be cured before applying SikaCeram®-488 Floor Leveler.
• Use industrial vacuuming equipment to remove all dust, loose and friable material from the application surface before applying the product.
• To improve the adhesion and provide a pore free surface for subsequent coverings, use SikaCeram®-935 Floor Leveler Primer.

Important: Do not add more than 5.0 litres of water to 20 kg of powder.

Important: Do not mix or blend with OPC cements or other binders.

Important: In case of higher water temperature, the water could be cooled down by using clean ice.

Requirement: Use an electric single or double paddle mixer (< 600 rpm) with helical disc-shaped mixing paddle.

1. Pour ~4.6 L of clean water into a clean mixing container.
2. Mix the water slowly while gradually adding the complete bag of powder.
3. Mix continuously for ~5 minutes to achieve a smooth, uniform mix. If necessary, add more water to achieve the required consistency.
4. To allow entrained air to escape and mature, do not mix for ~5 minutes.
5. Mix for a further ~15 seconds.
6. Pour the mixed product onto the substrate primed with Sikafloor®-935 Floor Leveler Primer (diluted with water 1:1).
7. Spread the product evenly using a smoothing trowel, surface blade, screed rake or pin-leveller (pin-rake) to the required thickness.
8. Allow product to smoothen over the substrate. If required, spike roller immediately to remove any trowel marks or surface defects.
9. If a 2nd layer of SikaCeram®-488 Floor Leveler is to be applied, prime the hardened 1st layer with SikaCeram®-935 Floor Leveler Primer (diluted with water 1:1).

Important: Do not apply on substrates with rising moisture. If rising moisture can occur, an effective damp proof membrane must be applied before applying SikaCeram®-488 Floor Leveler.

Important: Edge and movement joints must be brought through to the finished surface and must be protected so the product will not flow into the joint.

Important: The product must be applied to the required thickness and surface flatness as specified by the floor covering manufacturer.

Important: Use an isolating strip / tape to prevent product bonding onto vertical surfaces, i.e. pipes, ducts, conduits, walls, columns etc.

Important: To reduce the risk of cracking, protect freshly applied product from high ambient temperatures, direct sunlight and draughts.

Important: The finished floor must be covered within ~7 days of installation.

1. Pour the mixed product onto the substrate.
2. Spread the product evenly using a smoothing trowel, surface blade, screed rake or pin-leveller (pin-rake) to the required thickness.
3. Allow product to smoothen over the substrate.
4. If required, spike roller immediately to remove any trowel marks or surface defects.
5. If a 2nd layer of SikaCeram®-488 Floor Leveler is to be applied, prime the hardened 1st layer with SikaCeram®-935 Floor Leveler Primer (diluted with water 1:1).

Clean all tools and application equipment with water immediately after use. Hardened material can only be mechanically removed.