What Floor Levelling Tools Do You Need? Complete Guide To A Perfect Subfloor
- Imperial Flooring Australia
- 23 hours ago
- 6 min read
Imperial Flooring Australia® supplies professional-grade floor levelling compounds, primers, and floor levelling tools across Australia, designed for both residential and commercial flooring applications.
The Foundation of Every Successful Flooring Installation
Before any premium flooring is installed, the most critical step happens beneath the surface.
Floor levelling is what determines whether a floor performs flawlessly — or fails prematurely. Even the highest-quality engineered timber, hybrid, or laminate flooring will only perform as well as the subfloor it sits on.
Floor levelling tools and materials are essential for creating a flat, stable subfloor before installing any flooring system. Using the correct floor levelling tools — combined with high-performance compounds and primers — ensures a professional finish and long-term durability across engineered timber, hybrid, and laminate flooring installations.
This guide breaks down exactly what tools and materials are required for floor levelling, using a complete system designed for professional results.
What is Floor Levelling and Why is it Important?
Floor levelling is the process of correcting uneven or inconsistent subfloors using specialised compounds and application tools to create a flat, stable surface.
An unlevel subfloor can lead to:
Movement and flex in flooring systems
Squeaking and hollow spots
Installation failure
Visible imperfections
Reduced product lifespan
Proper levelling ensures your flooring installation meets industry standards and delivers long-term performance.
The Complete Floor Levelling System
Achieving a professional result requires more than just a compound — it requires a complete, integrated system of materials and tools working together.
1. Floor Levelling Compounds (Core Material)
Floor Levelling compounds are the foundation of the process. These are specially formulated materials designed to flow, self-smooth, and fill low areas in a subfloor.
Key Products:
Cemimax DL55 – fast-setting solution ideal for internal concrete substrates only
Cemimax DL59 Premium – advanced multi-surface compound suitable for timber, tiles, and concrete indoors and outdoors, including more demanding applications
Benefits:
Self-smoothing for a flat finish
High compressive strength
Fast drying times for efficient installation
Suitable for residential and commercial use
These compounds create the structural base required for any successful flooring install.
2. Primers & Moisture Barriers (Critical Preparation Layer)
Priming is one of the most important — and most overlooked — steps in floor levelling.
It ensures proper adhesion between the subfloor and levelling compound while controlling porosity and absorption.
Essential Products:
Cemimax DP70 Universal Primer – improves adhesion across porous and non-porous surfaces
WAKOL PU280 Moisture Barrier – protects against rising moisture in concrete slabs, only use for moisture prone subfloors
Why It Matters:
Prevents delamination and bond failure
Ensures consistent curing of compounds
Reduces risk of cracking and surface defects
Without proper priming, even the best levelling compound can fail.
3. Mixing Equipment (Accuracy Starts Here)
Correct mixing is essential to achieving the intended performance of levelling compounds.
Required Tools:
Heavy-duty drill with mixing paddle
Clean mixing buckets
Measured water ratios (as specified per product)
Key Considerations:
Overwatering weakens the compound
Undermixing leads to lumps and poor flow
Consistency must be smooth and pourable
Precision at this stage directly impacts the final finish.
4. Floor levelling Tools (Professional Finish Control)
Applying levelling compound correctly requires specialised tools to control depth, spread, and finish.
Essential Tools:
Wide gauge rake – ensures consistent thickness across the floor
Stand-up smoothing trowel – levels and refines the surface over large areas
Hand trowel – used for edges, corners, and detail work
Why They’re Important:
Maintain uniform depth
Improve efficiency on larger areas
Deliver a smoother, more consistent result
These tools separate professional results from basic DIY finishes.
5. Spike Roller & Spike Shoes (Air Release & Flow Control)
During application, air becomes trapped in the levelling compound. If not removed, this can lead to pinholes and surface imperfections.
Tools Required:
Spike roller – releases trapped air and improves compound flow
Spike shoes – allow installers to walk across wet compound without damaging the surface
Result:
Smoother finish
Reduced air pockets
Improved surface strength and integrity
6. Levelling Pins (Precision Depth Control)
Levelling pins are used to set the exact height of the compound before pouring.
Benefits:
Accurate and consistent depth control
Eliminates guesswork
Ideal for large or uneven areas
They are essential for achieving a perfectly flat substrate, especially in high-end installations.
Step-by-Step Floor Levelling Process
A successful floor levelling job follows a structured process:
1. Subfloor Assessment
Check for uneven areas using a straight edge or laser level
2. Surface Preparation
Clean, vacuum, and remove contaminants such as dust, grease, or adhesive residue
3. Priming
Apply the appropriate primer or moisture barrier and allow it to cure
4. Mixing
Mix levelling compound to the correct ratio using professional equipment
5. Application
Pour and spread using a gauge rake and smoothing tools
6. Air Release
Use a spike roller to remove trapped air and improve flow
7. Curing
Allow the compound to set according to product specifications
8. Final Preparation
Light sanding/grinding if required before installing flooring
Each step is critical — skipping any stage can compromise the entire installation.
Where Floor Levelling is Used
Floor levelling systems are suitable for a wide range of substrates:
Concrete slabs
Timber subfloors
Existing tiled surfaces
Common applications include:
Engineered timber flooring
Hybrid flooring systems
Laminate flooring installations
Across residential homes, renovations, and commercial projects.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced installers can run into issues without proper preparation.
Avoid:
Skipping primer application
Incorrect water ratios when mixing
Pouring over contaminated or dusty surfaces
Not using a spike roller
Inconsistent thickness across the floor
Attention to detail is what defines a high-performance result.
Final Word: Why the Right Tools Matter
Floor levelling is not just preparation — it is the foundation of the entire flooring system.
Using the correct combination of:
High-performance levelling compounds
Professional-grade primers and moisture barriers
Purpose-built application tools
Ensures:
A flat, stable subfloor
Long-term durability
A premium finished floor
Imperial Flooring Australia® delivers a complete floor levelling system engineered for precision, performance, and reliability — setting the standard beneath every floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to level a floor before installing flooring?
Yes. A flat and stable subfloor is essential for any flooring installation. Without proper levelling, issues such as movement, squeaking, and premature wear can occur — particularly with engineered timber, hybrid, and laminate flooring.
What tools do you need for floor levelling?
Floor levelling requires a combination of materials and tools, including levelling compound, primer, mixing equipment, a gauge rake, smoothing trowel, spike roller, spike shoes, and levelling pins. Each plays a role in achieving a consistent, professional finish.
What is the best floor levelling compound to use?
The best levelling compound depends on the subfloor type. High-performance compounds such as Cemimax DL55 are ideal for internal concrete, while multi-surface options like Cemimax DL59 Premium are suitable for timber, tiles, and more complex applications.
Can you use self levelling compound on timber floors?
Yes, but the surface must be properly prepared and primed. Using the correct primer ensures adhesion and prevents movement or cracking over time.
How thick can you apply floor levelling compound?
Application thickness varies depending on the product, but most levelling compounds are designed to be applied in thin to moderate layers. For deeper levelling, multiple applications or specialised products may be required.
Do you need primer before using levelling compound?
Yes. Primer is critical for ensuring proper adhesion and controlling the absorption of the subfloor. Skipping this step can lead to failure of the levelling system.
How long does floor levelling compound take to dry?
Drying times vary depending on the product and conditions, but many fast-setting compounds can be walked on within a few hours. Full curing should always follow manufacturer guidelines before installing flooring.
What happens if you don’t level a floor properly?
An unlevel floor can lead to visible imperfections, structural movement, hollow sounds, and long-term damage to the flooring system. Proper preparation is essential for durability and performance.
Can you level over tiles or existing floors?
Yes. Many modern levelling compounds are designed to be applied over existing tiles or prepared surfaces, provided they are clean, stable, and correctly primed.
Is floor levelling a DIY job or should it be done by professionals?
Smaller areas can be completed by experienced DIY users, but for larger or more complex projects, professional installation is recommended to ensure accuracy, performance, and long-term results.
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