06/04/2026
AMAZING TOOL! Extremely accurate.
Why we developed the Squid — Water Ratio
Water ratio is the most sensitive variable in a self-leveling pour. Most manufacturers publish a specific water amount per bag — on some products an exact amount, while others have a narrow range. Hitting that consistently batch after batch is a hard ask.
Once the mix has started, the water ratio can't be rechecked — from that point the only guide is the consistency of the batch. Most manufacturers and contractors describe the correct consistency as pancake batter. Soup is too much water, paste is not enough. ARDEX K15, (reported as the most specified self-leveling underlayment in North America) includes a QC check called a patty test, measuring the spread of a small pour on a flat surface. This is useful for a quality check in at the start of a job, but is not intended or feasible on every batch with a 10-minute flow time.
With too much water the additives that give the material its strength and flexibility wash to the surface — the batch cures weak and the surface powders off. Every major manufacturer carries the same instruction in their data sheets: do not overwater. ARDEX publish specific signs to watch for during mixing — yellowish foam on the surface, or sand settling during the pour. Both indicate the water is already too high. Pouring that batch is a risk — the choice is between discarding several hundred dollars in material, or potentially thousands in rework if the floor fails.
Too little water is a more manageable problem. If the mix looks too stiff, water can be added and remixed — but only right at the start, before the batch is fully combined. Once it's mixed, the same rule applies as overwatering: what you've got is what you're pouring. In practice an underwatered batch is usually obvious before it causes damage, which makes it the easier problem of the two to catch and fix.
Getting the water right on every batch is important, but difficult - which is why we developed the Squid.
What does your crew use to measure water on site — marked bucket, measuring pail, slot bucket, or something else?
www.portamix.com/product/squid
