MICROCEMENT USA
MICROCEMENT USA
Topcret USA / Surfaces / Substrate prep
A reference for evaluating and preparing surfaces before any Topcret system is installed. The finish is only as good as what's underneath.
These guidelines cover the evaluation and preparation of substrates before installing any Topcret microcement system. They apply to floors, walls, ceilings and stairs, in residential and commercial settings, interior and exterior. System performance depends directly on substrate condition and preparation quality.
Every surface should be inspected to determine the right preparation protocol. Before evaluation, surfaces must be clean, exposed and unobstructed, and any existing finishes or contaminants must be identifiable.
Rising moisture or vapor pressure is a primary risk factor — it can cause loss of adhesion, bubbling or cracking, sometimes weeks or months after installation. The substrate must be dry at installation, with a maximum moisture content of ≤ 15%, measured at several points.
Substrates must be free of dust, grease, oils, solvents, adhesives, plaster, soap or shampoo residue, and any foreign material that affects adhesion. During application, avoid airborne dust and direct wind carrying particles, which can affect finish quality and cohesion.
Topcret microcement systems are not self-leveling and are not designed to fill or create slopes. Applied in roughly 7–9 thin layers (about 1/8 inch total), the system replicates the existing geometry — any irregularity transfers to the final finish. All leveling and drainage slopes must be corrected and verified before installation; poor drainage can cause water accumulation, mineral deposits (exterior) or residue marks (interior wet areas).
Concrete / self-leveling / microtopping. Must be structurally sound, fully cured (ideally 28+ days), flat, clean and dry, with a damp-proof membrane. Mechanically clean and vacuum; remove sealers, paints, varnishes and chemical residues (grinding or sanding recommended); treat all cracks at the source so they don't reflect through.
Tile. Tiles must be clean, degreased and fully bonded. Remove loose tiles and fill voids; for deep joints or uneven transitions, apply a thinset leveling layer to improve planimetry and prevent joint telegraphing.
Plywood (floors). Panels must be securely fastened and stable. Seal and fill panel joints, and apply a self-leveling floor underlayment to create a rigid, deflection-free surface.
Walls & ceilings. Drywall, Durock, cement board, DensShield or equivalent. Panels fully secured, screws flush and concealed, joints taped, filled and finished with plaster. Treat all wall-to-wall, wall-to-ceiling and wall-to-floor transitions; complete final leveling before application.
Wet areas & waterproofing. Microcement is not a waterproofing system. Showers and exterior walls require approved waterproofing membranes — rigid and non-flexible, with cement-based systems recommended for best cohesion.
Stairs. For wooden stairs, each tread must be a single solid piece, screwed and bonded, with no movement between tread and riser. Fill joints with rigid fillers (Bondo-type); flexible materials like caulk or silicone are not permitted.
Microcement must never be installed over flexible substrates or materials. Performance depends entirely on substrate stability and preparation; improper prep can cause cracking, delamination or aesthetic defects. No system can compensate for structural deficiencies, moisture issues or improper leveling.
Substrate evaluation and preparation are the sole responsibility of the installer and/or contractor, and all conditions must be verified prior to system application. Topcret USA provides this guide as a reference and assumes no installation or substrate-related warranty.