Fast-Flex Floor Leveller 2mm–50mm 20kg
Palace Fast-Flex Floor Leveller 20kg is a rapid-setting, flexible floor-levelling compound designed to create a smooth, consistent base before tiles or other suitable floor coverings are installed. It can be applied at depths ranging from 2mm to 50mm, allowing the product to correct minor surface irregularities as well as more substantial changes in floor level.
Fast-Flex is suitable for a comprehensive selection of subfloors, including tamped or worn concrete, sand and cement screeds, mastic asphalt, correctly prepared plywood and mildly abraded power-floated concrete. It is also particularly suitable for use with heated subfloors and can accommodate many wire-based under-tile heating systems.
Its fast-setting formulation develops sufficient early strength to accept light foot traffic after approximately three hours. Tiles may normally be fixed after around four hours, while other suitable floor coverings can generally be installed after approximately 24 hours. These times are based on suitable conditions and will be affected by application depth, temperature, humidity and substrate absorbency.
Apply from 2mm to 50mm
Fast-Flex can be applied from a minimum thickness of 2mm up to a maximum depth of 50mm. This broad application range makes it useful for correcting uneven internal subfloors, smoothing worn surfaces, covering compatible heating elements and preparing floors during refurbishment or new construction.
When deeper sections are required, consider the amount of material needed and ensure that the supporting substrate is strong enough for the additional load. Very deep applications will take longer to dry than thin layers, so the floor should be checked carefully before a moisture-sensitive covering is installed.
Fast-Flex produces a smooth finish suitable for receiving a compatible final floor covering. It is not intended to remain uncovered as the permanent wearing surface.
Suitable Subfloors
Palace Fast-Flex can be applied to properly prepared substrates including:
- Tamped or worn concrete
- Concrete slabs
- Sand and cement floor screeds
- Mildly abraded power-floated concrete
- Flooring-grade mastic asphalt
- Correctly prepared plywood overlays
- Suitable tile backer boards
- Existing ceramic or natural stone tiles
- Prepared anhydrite screeds
- Compatible surface damp-proof membranes
- Floors incorporating underfloor heating
Different substrates require different preparation and priming methods. The Palace technical data sheet and the instructions for the selected primer should always be followed.
Surface Preparation
The substrate must be structurally sound, stable and capable of supporting the levelling compound and final floor finish. It should be clean and free from dust, dirt, grease, oil, loose coatings, laitance, adhesive residues and other contaminants that may interfere with adhesion.
Remove weak surface material mechanically and vacuum the floor thoroughly. Washing dust across the surface with a wet brush or mop is not an effective substitute for proper extraction, as it may simply redistribute fine particles.
Cracks and holes should be investigated and repaired before levelling begins. Any underlying movement, damp or structural defect must be corrected rather than concealed beneath the compound.
Dense power-floated concrete may require mechanical abrasion to remove the smooth surface and create an open texture. Existing tiles must be firmly bonded, clean and suitably prepared. Loose, hollow or damaged tiles should be removed.
Plywood must be flooring grade, securely fixed and sufficiently rigid to prevent movement or deflection. Fast-Flex should not be applied over unstable timber boards or floating floors.
Priming the Floor
Correct priming helps regulate suction, promotes adhesion and reduces the risk of pinholes or air bubbles appearing in the finished surface. Porous substrates such as concrete and sand/cement screeds should be treated with a compatible Palace primer using the appropriate dilution.
Non-porous surfaces, including existing tiles, dense concrete and compatible damp-proof membranes, require the preparation and primer specified for impermeable substrates.
Calcium-sulphate or anhydrite screeds require particular care. They must be sufficiently dry, free from surface laitance and sealed with the specified primer before a cement-containing material is applied.
Allow all primers to dry or reach the condition stated in their technical instructions before pouring Fast-Flex.
Suitable for Underfloor Heating
Fast-Flex is well suited to floor installations incorporating underfloor heating. Its flexible properties help accommodate the limited thermal stresses created as the floor heats and cools.
Heating wires must be firmly secured to a stable and compatible background before the levelling compound is poured. The selected application depth must provide the minimum required coverage above the heating elements, following the heating manufacturer’s instructions.
The heating system should be switched off and allowed to cool before application. Once the leveller and final floor finish have cured, bring the heating back into operation gradually. Do not immediately switch the system to its maximum temperature.
Movement and perimeter joints must remain in place and should not be filled or bridged with levelling compound.
Mixing Fast-Flex Floor Leveller
Use clean equipment and accurately measure the quantity of clean water specified on the current product packaging or technical data sheet. Pour the water into a clean mixing container, then gradually add the Fast-Flex powder while mixing with an electric drill and suitable paddle.
Mix until the material is smooth, fluid and free from lumps. Avoid trapping unnecessary air within the mixture. Do not exceed the recommended water quantity, as excessive water can cause separation, reduce strength and produce an inconsistent surface.
Only mix as much material as can be poured and finished within the working time. At approximately 20°C, Fast-Flex has a working time of around 20–30 minutes. Do not add extra water to material that has begun to stiffen or set.
Application
Pour the freshly mixed compound onto the primed floor without delay. Use a steel float, smoothing trowel or appropriate depth-setting tool to spread the material across the surface and into corners.
Fast-Flex will flow and settle to create a smooth finish. A spiked roller can be used while the compound remains fluid to help join adjacent mixes and release trapped air.
When covering a larger area, maintain a continuous wet edge between mixes. Plan the work beforehand and ensure sufficient labour and mixing equipment are available. Delays between batches may produce visible ridges or joints.
The compound can also be applied using suitable pumping equipment, making it practical for larger commercial floor areas.
Fast Setting and Early Access
Fast-Flex is designed to reduce delays between subfloor preparation and installation of the final finish. Under suitable conditions:
- Light foot traffic may be permitted after approximately three hours
- Floor tiles may be fixed after approximately four hours
- Suitable resilient or other floor coverings may be installed after approximately 24 hours
These are approximate minimum times. Deeper applications, lower temperatures, high humidity and limited ventilation will increase drying times. Moisture-sensitive floor finishes must only be installed once the levelling compound has dried sufficiently.
Performance Classification
Palace Fast-Flex is manufactured to BS EN 13813:2002 and classified CT-C30-F7. This indicates a cementitious screed material with a declared compressive-strength class of C30 and flexural-strength class of F7.
This performance makes it suitable as a smoothing and levelling layer beneath compatible floor coverings. The finished floor system’s overall performance will still depend on the substrate, application quality, selected adhesive and final covering.
Key Benefits
- Rapid-setting flexible floor-levelling compound
- Apply at depths from 2mm to 50mm
- Creates a smooth and consistently level finish
- Suitable for porous and non-porous substrates
- Ideal for refurbishment and new-build flooring projects
- Suitable for correctly prepared heated subfloors
- Accepts light foot traffic after approximately three hours
- Tiles can be installed after approximately four hours
- Other suitable floor coverings can be laid after approximately 24 hours
- Single-component formulation
- Protein free
- Suitable for pump application
Product Information
- Brand: Palace Chemicals
- Product: Fast-Flex Floor Leveller
- Colour: Grey
- Pack size: 20kg
- Application depth: 2–50mm
- Working time: Approximately 20–30 minutes at 20°C
- Initial set: Approximately 60 minutes
- Light foot traffic: Approximately three hours
- Ready for tiling: Approximately four hours
- Ready for suitable floor coverings: Approximately 24 hours
- Classification: BS EN 13813 CT-C30-F7
- Application: Internal subfloors
Store the unopened bag off the ground in dry conditions and protect it from moisture. Wear suitable gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection while mixing and applying the powder.
Always consult the current Palace Fast-Flex technical and safety data sheets before use.
