Slab Tolerance Fixed with Ardex Self-Leveling Underlayment
When a concrete slab sits outside finish-flooring tolerance, Ardex self-leveling underlayment brings it into spec. We install the full Ardex system, primer, pour, level, cure, so tile, plank, and polish contractors get the flat substrate they need. Free written estimate on every project.
A slab that sits out of tolerance cannot be fixed by the finish flooring itself. Tile, plank, and polished concrete all require a flat substrate to install properly and look right. Ardex self-leveling underlayment is the engineered solution that brings the slab into that tolerance range, using a bonded primer system that locks the new pour to the existing concrete permanently.
As an Ardex-system installer, we follow the full specification: slab prep, primer application, SLU mixing and pour, and cure to handoff. This means the finish-flooring contractor receives a substrate that meets their tolerance spec without compromise. We also coordinate with Ardex waterproofing if the project sits in a wet environment, and with Ardex repair mortars if the slab has damage that needs addressing first.
The Ardex SLU approach differs from generic self-leveling because the primer and product are matched to work as a system. Substituting primers or products breaks the warranty. We spec the right Ardex product for the depth and tolerance needed, then execute to that spec. See our full Ardex services for overlay, repair, and waterproofing options that often pair with SLU.
Recent work
Installation sequence
How Ardex SLU Installation Runs in Abbotsford
Measure slab elevation
We laser-scan the existing slab to map high and low spots, calculate the depth needed to bring the slab into the finish-flooring tolerance spec, and confirm the plan with the tile or plank installer before we start.
Prep and prime
The slab is diamond-ground to Ardex profile, cleaned of contaminants and dust, then the matched Ardex primer is rolled across the entire surface. The primer is what bonds the SLU to the concrete below.
Pour and level
Ardex SLU is mixed to the exact water ratio, poured across the floor, gauge-raked to the target depth, and allowed to self-level to a flat plane. The material has a working window; we move quickly to use it within spec.
Cure and handoff
The SLU cures to the Ardex schedule. We confirm the final tolerance against the finish spec, then hand the slab off to the tile, plank, or polish contractor ready for their install.
Finish-flooring coordination
Scheduling SLU Into the Build Sequence
Ardex SLU works best when planned into the schedule alongside the finish-flooring contractor, not added as an emergency fix. We coordinate the pour date, agree on the target tolerance with the tile or plank installer, and execute to that target so the next trade's install runs without friction.
If the project also needs Ardex overlay to leave the SLU as the finished floor itself, we spec that product instead. For projects with existing slab damage, we pair SLU with Ardex repair to fix cracks or spalls before the SLU goes down. All of these services tie into our broader Ardex system work across Abbotsford.
Bonded primer, tolerance specs, depth ranges and coordination with finish trades.
Ardex offers SLU products that can feather to extremely thin edges (essentially a few mil) and pour up to substantial depths for major tolerance correction. Product choice depends on the tolerance and project; we spec from the Ardex range.
Yes, critically. The Ardex primer is what bonds the SLU to the existing concrete. Without it, the SLU delaminates over time. Skipping or substituting the primer voids the Ardex system warranty.
Sometimes, with the matched Ardex polishable or top-coated overlay product. Most projects use SLU as substrate for tile, plank, or another finish; using it as the finish itself requires a different product spec.
Foot traffic typically the same day or next; finish-flooring install usually waits longer for the SLU to cure and dry to the finish spec. The cure schedule is in the project handoff.
Cost depends on depth, area, and existing slab condition. We provide a written quote based on the actual project; budget guidance can be discussed during the assessment.
Client reviews
What Abbotsford Clients Say About Ardex Self-Leveling
They prep with Ardex primer like the spec calls for, not a generic primer. SLU bonds properly, my tile install goes in on a flat substrate. The Ardex-system difference is real.
Z. T5
Tile Contractor, Abbotsford
★★★★★
Coordinated the SLU pour with my schedule, agreed the target tolerance up front, hit it on the pour. My plank install ran without complaint. Trade coordination at its best.
Y. T5
Finish Floor Installer, Chilliwack
★★★★★
Three different substrate areas with different tolerance issues, three different Ardex SLU products specced. Each one matched the conditions; the finish-flooring went over each cleanly.
Q. T5
GC, Mission
★★★★★
Tight feather-edge work at door thresholds where standard SLU would not work. They used the right Ardex product, feather edge held, no telegraph through the finish.
X. T5
Custom Home Builder, Langley
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Practical reading on planning, finishes and caring for concrete in Abbotsford.
Provide the slab area, target finish flooring type, and tolerance spec, and we will recommend the right Ardex product and send a written quote within one business day.
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