Frequently Asked Questions
How flat does my floor need to be for tile?
Industry standard is 1/4" in 10 feet for tile under 15 inches, and a tighter 1/8" in 10 feet for large-format tile. If your floor is outside that, flatten it before tiling — leveling after the fact isn't possible.
Do I really need primer before self-leveling underlayment?
Yes, always. Primer controls absorption and bonds the leveler to the substrate. Skipping it is the number-one cause of SLU failures — pinholes, poor bond, and cracking.
Self-leveler or skim coat — which do I need?
For dips and overall flatness across a room, pour self-leveling underlayment. For isolated low spots, ridges, or feathering a transition, a skim-coat patch like TEC 330 is faster and cheaper.
What is deck mud used for?
Traditional dry-pack mortar for building sloped beds — mainly shower pans — and thick floor fills. It's shaped by hand, unlike self-levelers which find their own level.