DIY How to Self Level your Concrete Floors
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- čas přidán 2. 08. 2024
- In this video we give you a bunch of great pro tips when it comes to self leveling a interior unleveled surface. The product we used was from high performance by Quikrete called Self leveling floor resurfacer. This product is great for exterior concrete patios and also inside homes we will leave links to all the products we used for this job below this description. Don't forget if you need these products you can always contact brandon for the discount. Thank you for Watching and don't forget to like, share, subscribe, and comment if you have any questions about the job!
OdellConcrete.com - Jak na to + styl
We tore out our old carpet in our living room and found that the concrete slab was very rough and uneven. It's a shame that the home builder didn't see fit to finish the concrete properly. Now I have to spend a small fortune just to level the concrete before I even install the new wood flooring. Thank you for the very informative video! I know how to get it done properly now.
YW
Thanks David and Brandon! Very informative and really helped on a small project repairing a non-level home addition slab. Neither Home Depot or Lowes had the product you mentioned in the video but thanks to your info I was able to substitute another Quikrete product. Had a 2 inch to zero beveled fill to make on a 10 foot entryway so I decided to go with the crack resistant mix which adds fiber to the concrete. When I got to the one inch depth of the bevel I screened out the larger stones in the mix through some hardware cloth. The edge was smoothed with fast setting concrete and finish coats were done with the Quikrete recap product which leaves a nice finish for us inexperienced to the world of masonry. Each layer was cleaned well and glued with the masonry adhesive. Yes, it took a couple layers to get a finished product nearly like David Odell could've achieved with one but my trowel skills are not nearly advanced to his master tradesman level. Have to say that some of the negative comments or people attempting to seem more knowledgeable than Mr. Odell are foolish. Frankly, after doing it myself I can say assuredly that if you can find a mason as good as Mr. Odell you'll be happy you had a professional do the job for you. Small details David shares about mixing the dry ingredients first, washing gravel and mixing with the concrete, double adhesive layers to insure coverage, laser line leveling, etc. were included to give all of us a window into proper masonry techniques and their desire for us to have a good experience with Quikrete products. It's videos like this that make CZcams great and I would highly recommend Odell Complete Concrete. Special shout out to Brandon too as he's a rare product representative that really puts in the effort for his customers. Really wish Quikrete could produce a product like your recap but with fiber strengtheners for applications needing less than 2 inches of fill like my non-level pad project. The recap product flowed really well and was nicely sand-able with contractor grade 80 grit paper around the 6-8 hour dry time range. This smoothed out the small lines left by the rubber "driveway seal" style applicator used to spread the mix.
I used this in a basement with a floor that was badly out of level, uneven, and even chipped in a few places. The previous owners had put down carpet, but we wanted to use vinyl planks. Our first attempt went horribly wrong and had to be ground out and redone. I think you really do need to help push it along a little bit, although in the end we used a gauge rake rather than a trowel.
I would recommend the slow set products to anyone trying this as a DIYer, the fast set is just too fast and doesn't give you enough time to get everything mixed, poured, and level before it becomes too viscous to work with.
yes its a fast process for sure.
Multiply mixers going is the key.
Can you use any kind of a retardant to slow down the curing process?
I would expect no. Your best bet is to get the stuff that already cures more slowly. The slow set mix had an hour of self leveling time, instead of 15 minutes. The only disadvantage was that they didn't carry it in the local store, we would have had to special order it. I wish we had.
As a DIY that has very little domain knowledge in the area of concrete work, I appreciate this comment. I definitely don't have several laborers nor multiple mixers to mimick the process in this video, so I'm glad you saved me a lot of headache.
@@jasexavier may I get the name of the slow set product you're referring to? Thanks.
Fantastic video, very helpful!
Just watched the video today. Thank you so much for making these videos. We're trying to fix up our current home (it was a flip, and the previous owner cut so many corners). We have a 10 month old, our first baby, and we want to make the house safe and livable for a while.
YW
GL
Thank you for a great video. Appreciate you taking your time explaining the process sir.
Anytime! and thank you
Odell, This video showed everything I needed to complete the resurfacing of my patio. The aggregate was an excellent pro tip. Thank you!
Glad it helped
I'm glad the dog was on duty the entire job to help keep everybody in line!!
Me to
The dog is only licensed for ruff-ins and furring out, not finish work. 🙂
Glad to see you got sponsors and still keep it about the build !
TherealGeorgeSt-Pierre
TY
Hey David love your videos I don't doo cement work all the time but just watching your videos over and over then just went for it did my hole back yard Lowe's my go too store too
right on
The narration on top of the sped up video works well. Very innovative.
TY
As always great video
Thank you!
There is nothing more satisfying then putting in a hard days work. I enjoyed this video and learned something.
Thank you sir.
Great
That was a really Great Video & Nice touch bringing in a Representative from the Company... I’ve Rarely Or Hardly give a Review So. Great Job Guys!!!
TY
The only thing I would loved to have seen was the next day grinder to really 'sell' the finishing of it, but, as you said, a great job and no pushy self-important rep banging on about how great 'his' product is, kudos to the whole team including that rep.
I recently paid cash for a fixer upper. One of the last things I'll need to do is level the garage. The slab was poured for an East entry garage, but at some point they decided on a North entry so they could build decks the full width of the house to take advantage of the lake views. They didn't fix the slab at all, so my garage doors are crooked (they don't close on one side!) and it's just ridiculous! Thank God for videos like yours that are showing me what I can and cannot tackle by myself! I might need to use a lot more gravel - lol.
Awesome
GL
I have a few buckets that have holes drilled in them at the right height. Always the same amount of water each time without really paying to much attention.
Good idea
Drill them on one side so that when you pour it out you will not make a mess. Ask me how i know. :) :)
Hahaha that made me giggle,
But how about just use a marker pen and mark the right level on the inside of the bucket 🤓 just call me Einstein lol
@@420Farmer7 because that's still technically slower than just putting a hose in a bucket and going to do something else til you see water coming out the bucket
Cranky Jay
It creates allot of mess with water overflowing everywhere around where you’re working if you’re off doing other things
Thanks great informative. Thanks for showing the flaws.
sure
YW
Thanks for the video love it
luis n
your welcome
Thanks, good tips. 👍
ty
Thank you very much. I have a basement that is out 2 inches in place. You wouldn't believe the Fred Flintstones job the guys that built the house did. I guess that's why I don't trust contractors, eh. Anyway, I've read that that's too much for self leveling products. According to your video you can just add gravel to the SL mix for the big low spots. I think I'm going to have to go that route. Thanks again!
It will work and if you contact Brandon in the video you can get a nice discount
Cool product and project
jason
TY
this was super helpful! We don't have the man power to get it done ourselves, but i have a better idea of what to expect now.
GL
YW
Good job every time🖒🖒
Feao Nau
TY
I love it when the pup walks on the floor
me too
I have a room that had to be leveled. It was out of level one inch to zero over ten feet and thirteen feet wide. I used 1/2" X 3' X 5' Hardibacker boards as a filler so that I didn't have to spend so much on self leveling concrete. Worked great. You would need to attach the boards to the slab with thin set
Doesn't sound long term
Hardibacker is a concrete product used under ceramic flooring or walls. If it's not long term I'm in trouble. Love the videos BTW
That should work, but a lot of it
Great video!
TY
Another great video
Scottish NS Rail Fan
TY
Hi David - awesome video, very helpful and informative. I wanted to quickly ask - do you think instead of the aggregate, someone could use the metal mesh that Lowe's sells? Or do you think the mesh itself would be too thick? Thanks again!
I dont think the mesh will work for this
i have a question. i bought a house that had a porch built with a slope. they turned it into a room. can i do what you just did in that room to level it?
That orange tree is beautiful
The best oranges and grapefruit I have ever eaten
Nice video with useful information from both you and Brandon. You make it look easy but I'm looking for a contractor that has used this kind of stuff before which is the hard part. I have a warehouse floor where 600-700 sq feet has dipped from zero to about 2 inches. Is this good as the final floor to put on some industrial shelving and to run 1000lb pallet jacks on all day?
Probably not alone.
Maybe with a epoxy coating.
For outdoor application can I broom over the top of it to give texture for slippage?
Sure
I find that placing wet gravel in the low spots and pouring the leveler over it and raking the gravel is a better approach than mixing it in the bucket. You get the gravel exactly where you want and none where you don't
That sounds good.
I'll try it next time
Great video. Our slab dropped, and although we had it lifted, there is still a fairly significant drop to level. The Gravel idea makes a lot of sense, and thanks for the tip! One question though; what glue did you use, and what was it for?
Storm Rise
quickcrete concrete glue on the floor. two coats
Fantastic! Thanks for that.
Storm Rise
TY
Great video
TY
Great video again. If I use this product do I need to apply the glue ? Dose that make better adhesion with old and new cement thanks for the help
Yes glue is necessary
Glue is like your primer before paint... concrete primer, helps bond
DAVE!! I need your advice! I poured my front walkway w/a single step to my porch and finished after dark well this morning in daylight walkway looks good but the step looks rough & a lil rocky is there a cream i can use to skim it, its still wet I kept plastic over it and have been watering it all day
Cement and sand.
20 grit sand
Hi i have been using products similar to this for many years here in G.B. however i find without exception that i get spider web cracking in all cases,it appears to me that this could be caused by drying to quickly,in your opinion how could i stop this happening ,i always use a p.v.a. watered down 50% for a primer in an attempt to stop water being sucked into the surface and never pour on hot days.Thanks.
Graham Mitchell
change prodocts.
I haven't had that problem.
I have a full 4-inch slope from Kitchen to end of enclosed patio, roughly 11ft; what would you do differently/recommend?
Start with concrete then go to mortar.
Final coating should be self leveling material
Odell you are well on your way to becoming the end all be all of concrete
Get it on
OSS
My garage needs that bad. The floor sagged around 6". I would have filled it in with regular concrete and then used that stuff you did ---BUT Brandon didn't mention it's only available in these states Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, Washington according to Quickcrete's website. Shipping not available.
I have a 12x20 shed on top of a slab that recently got a new roof, its very old, there are inch wide cracks running along the sides of the structure, and they have sunken a couple inches. what im doing right now is filling all the cracks and sunken portions in with fast set concrete, and stronger concrete with gravel for the deep spots, After i finish im going to level the floor with a product similar to the one in the video.
with any luck, it will last for a few years
what stuff is it your using . i really need to level my floor. drives me nuts
How much product did you use and how did you estimate your usage? I am looking to do a 10x11 room at about an inch and a half drop, similar to yours.
I believe it was 25 sq.ft. at a 1/4". But check the directions and coverage to be sure.
Hi, is it ok to put the pea gravel on the floor and grade it ,and then just pour leveler ?
I have heard that works also
i need to get a quikrete rep to help me with all my brick laying jobs lol.
SOunds good
Would this hold up in a garage floor where cars are parked? They just didn't care when the slab was poured and water runs towards the house.
Maybe with the help of some epoxy coating
What was sq ft of area and how many buckets did you end up using?
Great video, I'm doing this same job at my house this spring.
125SQ.ft. about 15 buckets
I have this same condition on my home gym project. Do you think this will hold up to a but of a beating? I do plan on rubber matting the floor completely.
Yes I did a entire gymnasium and they put mats on it . That was 6 years ago and still doing well
Odell Complete Concrete
Sounds good, thanks for the response and advice. I appreciate that. You just gained a subscriber.
What application method do you recommend if you are using this as a finished floor...something to simulate new polish trowled finish floor? To avoid the different pours of wet lines and such?
Mixing and placing faster
Thin coating products you can trowel on to the surface
Good content.
TY
Can you lay epoxy over this material?
Does this concrete leveler require a bond after it sets?
no
Can it be used Outdoors
The answer to o'Dell and everyone in comments dont ever use this dont waste your time go online and look at ardex engineered cements you will be extremely happy great vid btw
to expensive and not readily available at your local hardware.
Never by cement based products online.
I have and when I got it was already hard.
@@OdellCompleteConcrete ardex is the best product you'll ever work with read my comment I said go online and look at ardex not purchase it online ? Never heard of buying cement online b 4
@@nickorlando1012 Im looking to get a smooth polished cement trowel finish that will not get dusted up and use a base primer for moisture barrier and control of the product water absorbtion for longer work time, as I have 2K sqft to cover..But I know a lot of these companies slap on decorative on self leveling like Mapei and jack up the price. Look at that Leggari (not best example as most of their product is epoxy) stuff that looks like crap. Major marketing push and the epoxy stuff at least on the videos look pretty bad.
Thanks for the Video, I have the Adhesive put down right now and going to be resurfacing my floor tomorrow 😁 How long do you think I have to wait until I can apply a 2 part epoxy Rustoleum Garage paint?
24 hours
Hello I have laid leveling compound on a garage floor but I have not used enough and the compound I have put down needs to be raised a few mm as I have not used enough. Can I top it up? it has only been put down 24 hours but I need the level to be level with some concrete that goes round the sides of the garage. please help
sure no problem
Can I mix it in a cement mixer?
no
Can you paint or stain on the leveler like concrete?
sure
Can this be put over old busted up concrete that has divots in it? Also can it be acid stained and sealed as the finish?
if the concrete is in bad shape it may reflect through the coating.
yes it could be a finished floor.
@@OdellCompleteConcrete How thick/deep can this product be applied.?
So you start at you deepest part of slab?
Yes
Would you be able to mix it in a concrete mixer?
I believe there are some special paddle mixers that can be used.
Two things. Why not snap a line where the stones are supposed to end and put them on the floor and then pour over them. They will settle out of the mix anyway. Also, they make a spiked roller which eliminates the troweling.
I'll try that next time.
If I have to layer this and or overlap… do I need to apply the adhesive bonding agent between the layers of this product….. in the middle of that right now.
Not if you do it the same day
@@OdellCompleteConcrete it won’t be because of work I’ll have to wait til Friday night to put the other overlapping layer on
So best to just put the adhesive on again… yes?
can this stuff be used on advantec or plywood
Sure
Serious question: Can I just add the water directly to the bucket that the Self Leveler comes in and do the drill mixing that way? I'm not adding gravel or anything to mine, and I'd rather spare myself extra lifting.
Sure, but it's easier to add the powder to the water
Hey David, great video, very informative. I have a question, a relative of mine just bought a house built on a slab that is wildly out of level, like 3" over 6' and that's just what I have seen so far measuring with a 6' level. I was going to pour a bunch of self leveler for him but the more I think about it the more it seems like we would be spending a LOT of money on self leveler, even if we extended it with gravel I feel like we'd need a literal pallet of leveler. What do you think about using just regular bags of 4000psi quikrete concrete to fill the bulk of the difference before using leveler, does that sound okay or totally the wrong idea? Mostly I'm trying to save money, or rather my relative's money. Any suggestions?
I think throw the gravel on the slab first and then throw the self leveler on that
Is this what people are referring to when they say "just float your self locking wood flooring out with self leveling floor float?
I think so
Mr odell is there somewhere i can buy merchandise like shirts, hoodies, etc. Thanks
Yes In the description of this channel, or find the store button on my website.
A spiked roller would blend the mixes together better. It would also eliminate air bubbles.
Never heard of it but that sounds like something worth looking in to.
TY
@@OdellCompleteConcrete it maybe a European thing here's a link to one type www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A7OKE50?pf_rd_p=330fbd82-d4fe-42e5-9c16-d4b886747c64&pf_rd_r=YR3MC0GQPFQBCB9YGDZ9, love the Chanel have applied a lot of what you do when laying concrete, myself a non novice DIY'er.
I am torn between this, Ardex, Deerman-SKraffino, ReCap, RapidSet Resurfacer, Quickrete resurfacer 1331, Mapei selflevel resrufacer, CustomBuildingProducts LevelQuick ES-RS, Sakrete FloCoat, Henry 624 RestoreCOat. Stuff is so cheap to make, everyone is in the game :-) I am looking for a natural polished concrete finish. I may need to have 2 mixes for the modeling effect, but want a troweled polished look. I don't have more than a 2" leveling issue over the 2000sqft .Links/Suggestions would be great. I agree with TJ, from many videos I have watched the spiked roller does work some magic. BUT work time is key, so you likely need another person doing that, or a long work time product. (Also have heard that Larsen Plasterweld is great for bonding primer).
In Australia they use sand cement and screed it ...this is so much easier
Yes it is
What laser did you use?
Berger
When u say 2 parts glue 1 part water do u mean 2 full containers glue to 1 full container water??
A "part" can be whatever you want - cup, bucket, teaspoon, container. Just use two of them for glue for every one of water to make up the amount you need.
Can this be used outside to level sidewalk concrete thats dipping.
"This can be used interior and exterior"
Yes, but not vehicle traffic
Hi. So I've done about 100k worth of Ardex self levelling over the last 25 years or so. I was just curious what the rep had to say about the over water. I think my Ardex rep might shit brix over that extra 1/2 gallon.
I have done ardex to about 25 years ago and I have always added extra water. That's the trick, that you have to figure out for yourself. Fortunately I already ready figured out for you.
Get it on
Odell Complete Concrete Don't misunderstand me, I too add 10 to 15 oz. Of water to the mix (mostly because of working in an arrid environment). I'm just saying, not in front of the reps.
It’s water, so it’s not going to stay in your product at the end of the day. It’s all going to go back to nature and leave you with the actual material.. concrete.
@@swatisquantum YEs, but they say it weakens the mix, as the chem reaction needs to happen in a shorter time vs overwatering it. That time is the variable unknown.
Note that he didn't say he's adding an extra 1/2 GALLON, he said 1/2 QUART.
How many buckets of self leveling did you have to use??
25
My wife and I have an opportunity to move into a large concrete home near our present residence, where the construction, overall, is pretty good, but the floors are out of level and are very rough textured.
It has the potential to be a really nice home, by Philippine standards, but the interior is mostly unfinished.
The floors, in particular, are really rough, and the two baths are presently extremely primitive.
The property owner offered the home to us at half the monthly rate, if we would be interested in providing the labor to finish the interior.
That would work out to costing only about USD $45.00 per month, for a large two story home with two baths, three large bedrooms, and a large open air garage.
I wonder if a product like this would be suitable as a one-step process to level out and smooth the floors in that home?
It's just around the corner from our current home, which is livable, but very small.
Since the prospective home is presently unoccupied, it would be relatively easy to finish out the floors and make some other improvements.
It's very likely that we would be unable to find this exact product for sale, here, but we could likely find a comparable product.
Concrete construction tends to be the rule, here, so there should be a wide range of concrete products available.
I'm just beginning to research on this subject, and would appreciate any insight or advice that you might be able to offer.
Thank you!
Sounds like a good deal.
yes there is many self leveling cement based products.
GL
instead of gravel, could u use sand as the filler and avoid the high spots in the thin areas?
Mehrdad Khayeri
sand will weaken it.
you just need to remove gravel sooner.
Well thanks for sharing. Just a few things that should be pointed out. Its not chalk your using its called red oxcide (a containment). Glue ? Primer-bonding agent. Using extra water will cause a weaker finish and a powdery top. (Try chilling the water 1st). There are better products and better ways to install a self levelling product but thanks for video.
Get it on
OSS
What would you consider a "better" product? I looks like working time is key and colder water does help. Looking for a polished smooth trowel finish with natural concrete look myself. I have a list of products I am considering. I have purchaserd 4 different samples. I have a large area, so price is important as well.
The bucket also says for indoor flooring use only
Bingo
isn't that self leveling cement like 30 to 50 a bucket?
yes its expensive, but if you contact Brandon directly, and mention you seen him on Odell Video, you can get a nice discount.
I wonder if you could have done two pours on the deep side to avoid using any gravel for a smoother finish?
Yes I believe that can be done.
Odell Complete Concrete ps just want to thank you for posting these videos, having spent most of the last 40 yrs building homes inspecting them etc, I still enjoy learning how to build things the right way, from people who care and put pride in there work. Cheers to ya this labor day weekend.
TY
I have a garage that needs to be leveled by 2 inches or maybe a bit more. Would this system handle SUV and heavy traffic of garage without separating from the old concrete under it and crack?
Deb Lovemytechy
That's a good question?
I think I would scarify the surface 1/4" deep. Three coats glue and go for it. Don't forget a lacquer base sealer followed by a water base sealer.
I actually ran into a situation similar to this where I wanted to put self leveling concrete down instead of ripping out the entire garage and nobody had a product that would work for "external" or outdoor use until I came across Ardex. They make a product that holds up nicely. Although when I saw the price it was actually cheaper to rip out all the concrete and have someone just redo it. But if you go the self leveling route, that's who I'd recommend and the product works. The father in-law actually used it on his garage floor because he was in a situation where he couldn't rip it all out.
Steven Kutsenkow
Awesomeness
What kind of level do you use in your videos?
James Munoz laser level check then out in Google or maybe I will make a video if that's what people might like to see! Let me know
Odell Complete Concrete yeah I think people would love to see your tools you use. Appreciate it
Yes please. Can you put a video on how to use the rotary laser level
Bought some of this to level a basement floor, mixed it EXACTLY as stated on the bucket it came in. It set up way before I got to 4 minutes mixing time. Tried to get it poured out quick and ended up with a blob that wouldnt flow. If it's 4 1/2 quarts, thats what you should put on the bucket, not 4 quarts. Waste of money and time. Now i have to figure out a way to get this blob out and off the floor so I can do it properly, more waste of money and time.
Bummer, I rarely follow the directions.
he put in more water to get more working time. Use refrigerated water if you have to and working in hot dry climates. ALso primer double up can help from moisture getting sucked into the old slab. Some products are direct to slab, but make you wet the slab before for this reason.
Glue? What glue?
I think the adhesive is 2 parts water to 1 part of bonding agent
Yes
it would prolly be helpful to use screeds on jobs like these.
Not with this material
What is the advantage of this over just putting 2 pieces of 2x at level, and using a board to level it (by riding on the 2x)? IE: like you would do when laying a regular concrete slab in the first place?
this seems to be better
I'm just wondering if is for everybody though if regular concrete gets the job done and is significantly cheaper.
Regular concrete wont work at that depth
Meaning because it would be too thin? That makes sense, thanks. What about straight cement?
@@WoundedEgo
it will shatter
Where do they sell the laser and what's it's name?
Home Depot
Quick question - any reason not to lay the gravel down in the low spots, then mix and pour the product?
I have heard from another floor specialist, that's what he does.
Right on, thanks. And thanks for the informative videos - keep them coming!
Do I need to treat the whole floor with leveler? Or can I just use it where it's needed?
moe w
just use where needed.
Ok.. Tnx. I'm using the same products you used, the high performance leveler and the bonding agent.
moe w
Did you call Branden to get the discout?
No I sure didn't. How do I really H out to him?
moe w
his email and contact info is in the video.
He said if you mention you watched the video on odell he would set up some discounts
We are renovating an enclosed garage and brought the garage floor up to the level of the rest of the house with concrete. I didn't have them seal the concrete because I was (am) going to cover it with 8 mm dense rubber flooring.
After the baseboard was installed, I noticed several low spots against the wall. Some of the gaps are wide enough for the flooring to slide up under the base board so I am considering leveling the flooring in those spots. My question(s) is (are):
1. Do I seal the concrete before I put the glue down or will the glue seal the concrete?
2. Do I just put the glue down over the whole floor (it's a 20 x 20 room) or just the parts that need the leveler.
3. Does any of this matter? Could I just run the flooring up to the wall since it's along the edges where no one will walk anyway?
4. Will the dust from the concrete make the floor deteriorate over time if I don't seal the concrete?
5. Am I over-thinking the entire thing?
Thanks.
I would put the glue down where needed and a little over and go for it.
no need in sealing.
Good tip for covering up a crime scene ill tell the boys
Get it on
Odell Complete Concrete - Thanks for spilling so much red chalk this may get me out of a jam one day
the dog was like " who are these guys with the hats in my sun room" :D
For sure dude
OMG man,..how are your knees not completely shot? Kneeling on concrete slab with no knee pads during the pour? OUCH! Mine kill me even with the pads.
I have built up calluses
I used to have plastic knee pads with a small liner of padding... didn’t really want to wear them.. but since I started using knee pads with a thick smart gel memory foam with multiple layers (got them from my pops who got them from Home Depot), I wear them for just about everything I do. If they weren’t so bulky, I could live with these knee pads just to be able to kneel down at any time. Keep those joints protected for years to come.
Have u tryed useing a pick wheel it totaly removes the water line andgives a even look
NO but Ill try it
Trying to see the IR beam? Try looking through the camera on your phone.
Sure sounds good
Would this product hold up as a garage floor?
I doubt it
Thanks for the reply. Love your videos by the way.
Man Brandon, those pants are tight!
OSS
How many drills are there - that have a setting on them that allows you to set the rpm? Here's my answer - none
Variable drives
If is 11/2 thick just use regular concrete mix .
To feather