Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.
Fix My PC Now →Free scan · no reinstall
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Leveling a concrete floor can improve an unacceptable finish or prepare a sound slab for tile, resilient flooring, epoxy, or another finish. It will not, by itself, stop settlement, heaving, recurring cracks, water entry, or movement in the slab. First determine whether you have a surface-finish problem, a dormant crack, or an active joint or structural issue; then choose a compatible repair or underlayment system and follow that product’s current technical and safety instructions.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →What leveling and concrete-floor repair can—and cannot—do
A self-leveling underlayment, topping, or resurfacer is a finish-preparation material. QUIKRETE lists Self-Leveling Floor Resurfacer No. 1249-50 for interior topping or underlayment work, including new concrete floors with unacceptable finishes and existing floors with damaged finishes. Its published compressive-strength figures are 1,000 psi (6.9 MPa) at seven days and 2,000 psi (13.8 MPa) at 28 days. Those numbers describe that product under its specified conditions; they are not a universal performance rating for every overlay or slab.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
An overlay can hide a repaired, dormant crack temporarily, but it cannot restrain a slab that is moving. ARDEX K 15 and V 1200 technical data sheets, revised April 2, 2026, state: “All moving joints, including expansion joints and isolation joints, as well as all moving cracks, must be honored up through the entire assembly, including the finishing course.” The same sheets explain that “Non-structural materials are unable to restrain movement within a concrete slab.” In practice, a cosmetic patch or continuous layer is not a structural diagnosis or a movement-control system.
- Surface unevenness or a damaged finish: investigate the cause, verify that the substrate is sound, and confirm that the selected underlayment or topping is approved for the substrate, thickness, location, and planned finish.
- Dormant, nonmoving crack: use only a repair method permitted by the chosen system. A filled crack can still telegraph through a finish.
- Moving crack, expansion joint, or isolation joint: preserve it through the floor assembly rather than burying it under a continuous layer.
- Displacement, recurring movement, water intrusion, or an unknown crack pattern: obtain an assessment from a qualified concrete or flooring professional or a structural engineer before covering the area.
Identify the problem before buying material
Unevenness and unacceptable finishes
Map high and low areas and look for debonded, soft, dusty, or contaminated concrete. A leveling product is appropriate only when the slab and its bond surface are suitable for that system. An uneven floor caused by settlement, heaving, a failed base, or ongoing moisture is not solved by selecting a thicker pour.
Dormant cracks
A dormant crack is not visibly opening or closing during normal observation, but “dormant” does not guarantee that it will remain stable. The ARDEX examples allow defined crack-preparation approaches in specific systems while warning that filling dormant cracks does not eliminate telegraphing. Read the system sheet to determine whether the crack is filled, isolated, or carried through the finish.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRank #2
- Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.
Moving cracks and joints
Expansion and isolation joints are intentional movement gaps. A crack that changes width, has offset edges, keeps returning after repair, or is associated with displacement should be treated as moving until a professional establishes otherwise. Do not bridge it with a rigid, uninterrupted underlayment or finish.
Horizontal cracks that need a sealant
Use a sealant specifically listed for the location and joint type. QUIKRETE describes Advanced Polymer Self-Leveling Sealant No. 8660-10 for horizontal concrete cracks and expansion joints and states that it meets ASTM C920. Joint dimensions, backer requirements, and curing conditions remain product-specific.
Compare products by the conditions that control success
| Material or system | Documented purpose | Important limits or details |
|---|---|---|
| QUIKRETE Self-Leveling Floor Resurfacer No. 1249-50 | Interior topping or underlayment; resurfacing damaged existing concrete and correcting unacceptable finishes on new concrete | Published strength is 1,000 psi (6.9 MPa) at seven days and 2,000 psi (13.8 MPa) at 28 days; use only within the manufacturer’s stated substrate, thickness, and finish requirements |
| ARDEX K 15 and V 1200 | Underlayment systems with substrate-dependent preparation and primer requirements | Current sheets revised April 2, 2026 require sound, clean, dry substrates, suitable mechanical preparation where needed, vacuuming, and the primer specified for the substrate; moving joints and cracks must remain honored |
| QUIKRETE FastSet Concrete Crack Repair No. 8650-69 | Two-part hybrid polyurethane cartridge for manufacturer-described hairline cracks through 1 inch, including garage, basement, and some exterior concrete applications | Manufacturer says traffic may resume in one hour at 77°F (25°C); verify the current technical sheet, crack condition, temperature, and site suitability before relying on that timing |
| QUIKRETE Advanced Polymer Self-Leveling Sealant No. 8660-10 | Horizontal concrete cracks and expansion joints | Manufacturer states ASTM C920 compliance; follow its joint geometry, backer, surface, and cure instructions |
| ARDEX EP 2000 | Two-component epoxy primer for underlayments and toppings; the manufacturer also describes crack-filling use | Published working time is 30 minutes, with a minimum 16-hour wait before installing underlayment or topping; these are product-specific values |
Before choosing, record the substrate (concrete, patch, wood, or another surface), interior or exterior exposure, repair objective, required thickness, primer, moisture restrictions, working and cure time, traffic demands, and compatibility with the planned finish. A product that works on a horizontal garage crack may not be suitable beneath a thin resilient floor, and a floor underlayment is not automatically a crack-repair compound.
Rank #3
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
Prepare the concrete correctly
Preparation determines whether a new layer bonds. The ARDEX K 15 and V 1200 sheets call for a sound, dry, clean substrate and identify mechanical preparation such as shot blasting where necessary. They warn against acid etching, adhesive removers, solvents, and sweeping compounds, and caution that sanding alone may not remove contaminants. After mechanical preparation, vacuum the surface thoroughly and use the primer selected for the actual substrate and system.
- Inspect and document the slab. Mark cracks, joints, hollow or delaminated areas, oil, paint, adhesive, curing compounds, dust, and moisture concerns. Check transitions and door clearances before adding height.
- Remove unsound concrete. Take out loose, weak, or debonded material using the method allowed by the selected system. Do not encapsulate contamination and assume the overlay will bond.
- Mechanically prepare when required. Shot blasting or another approved method may be needed to expose a sound profile. Do not substitute acid, solvent, or an adhesive remover unless the product documentation expressly permits it.
- Vacuum completely. Fine dust left on the floor becomes a bond-breaker. Keep the prepared surface clean until priming or placement.
- Address moisture and joints. Follow the product’s moisture limits and testing instructions. Locate every moving joint and plan how it will continue through the underlayment and finish.
- Prime with the specified product. Primer selection depends on substrate and system; it is not interchangeable merely because two products are from the same category.
- Confirm installation conditions. Check temperature, humidity, ventilation, thickness range, working time, cure time, and access restrictions in the current technical and safety data sheets.
Do not begin mixing until the cause of major unevenness is understood. Leveling compound can follow the shape of a moving slab and make a later failure harder to diagnose.
Repair a concrete crack without confusing repair with diagnosis
Crack-repair instructions differ by product and crack type. QUIKRETE’s described procedure for its listed concrete-repair options calls for widening a crack to at least 1/4 inch, removing deteriorated concrete, and clearing loose material. The same project instructions distinguish among concrete repair material, crack seal, and self-leveling polyurethane sealant; some sealant applications use backer rod. The associated tools include a caulking gun, wire brush, scrub brush, chisel, hammer, gloves, and safety glasses. These steps belong to that manufacturer’s procedure and are not mandatory for every crack or product.
Rank #4
- Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
- The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
- The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
- These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
- Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.
- Classify the crack. Decide whether it is a dormant crack, a moving crack, or an intentional joint. If edges are displaced, the crack is recurring, or water enters, stop and arrange professional evaluation.
- Choose a listed repair material. Match the product to crack width, depth, interior or exterior exposure, traffic, moisture, and the finish that will cover it.
- Open and clean only as directed. If the product calls for a widened groove, create the specified profile and remove deteriorated concrete and loose debris. If it calls for a sealant joint, follow its backer and depth requirements instead.
- Install the material within its working limits. Observe cartridge, mixing, temperature, and working-time instructions. Do not extend a product with unapproved fillers or water.
- Allow the stated cure and decide how the finish will treat the crack. A dormant crack may still telegraph, while a moving joint must remain visible or otherwise accommodated through the complete floor assembly.
FastSet Concrete Crack Repair No. 8650-69 is described by its manufacturer as a two-part hybrid polyurethane cartridge for hairline cracks through 1 inch. The manufacturer lists reopening to traffic in one hour at 77°F (25°C), but that timing is conditional and should not be quoted for a colder, wetter, deeper, or otherwise different installation without checking the current documentation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Install a leveling underlayment only after the substrate passes
Plan elevation and finish transitions
Measure the required fill and verify the product’s minimum and maximum thickness rather than assuming that “self-leveling” means any depth is acceptable. Account for thresholds, stairs, cabinets, appliances, drains, and the finish manufacturer’s flatness requirement. A self-leveling material flows; it does not know where you want a doorway or movement joint to remain.
Protect movement joints
Transfer expansion, isolation, and other moving joints through the underlayment and finishing course exactly as the system requires. Do not pour continuously across them to create a visually seamless floor. If the joint layout or crack cause is uncertain, obtain a professional plan before placement.
Best Value
- 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
- Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
- Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
Mix, place, and cure by the product sheet
Use the specified water amount, mixer, mixing duration, placement sequence, tools, and recoat or traffic windows. Do not borrow a mixing ratio, primer, depth, or cure schedule from another brand. Keep workers and air movement controlled during the stated cure period, then install the finish only when both the underlayment and finish manufacturer allow it.
Safety, failure modes, and when to stop
- Skin or eye exposure: cement products can irritate or injure. QUIKRETE instructions call for eye protection and waterproof gloves; consult the product safety data sheet for additional controls.
- Peeling or debonding: commonly points to contamination, weak concrete, inadequate mechanical preparation, dust, wrong primer, or moisture outside the system limits. Remove failed material and correct the substrate cause rather than adding another coat.
- Cracks reappearing through the finish: the crack may be moving, or a dormant crack may have telegraphed. Reassess movement and the assembly detail; a cosmetic filler is not structural restraint.
- Soft, damp, or blistered areas: stop placement and investigate moisture, vapor, leaks, or unsound concrete. The available product information does not establish one universal moisture-testing standard.
- Unexpected elevation or rapid set: confirm batch, temperature, water measurement, thickness, and working time against the current sheet. Do not add water after the permitted mixing stage.
Escalate displacement, active or recurring movement, water intrusion, suspected settlement or heaving, and any possible structural failure to a qualified concrete or flooring professional or structural engineer. Product sheets can define installation limits; they do not diagnose the cause of slab distress.
Quick Recap
A practical selection checklist
- Is the floor structurally sound, or is it moving, settling, heaving, or allowing water through?
- Is the work an interior resurfacing or underlayment, an exterior repair, a dormant-crack treatment, or a joint seal?
- What substrate, thickness, temperature, moisture condition, and finish does the current product sheet permit?
- Which contaminants must be removed, what mechanical profile is required, and which primer is specified?
- How will every moving crack, expansion joint, and isolation joint continue through the finished assembly?
- What working, cure, traffic, and finish-installation times apply at the actual site temperature?
- What protective equipment, ventilation, and access controls are required by the safety data sheet?
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
