A floor needs to be level to lay floorboards or tile.
How you repair a floor depends on whether it is a flooring or structural issue and the degree of the problem. If your foundation is raised, jacks can be installed in the crawl space to raise and level the foundation. If your concrete slab has sunk and the slab is significantly off level, you may need to have professionals mudjack your slab, by injecting fresh concrete into the voids under the slab via a hydraulic pump. A slightly sloping subfloor that is not level enough to lay floorboards or tile on often can be improved sufficiently by laying self-leveling concrete.
Instructions
1. Sweep and wet mop the floor to ensure it is clean and free of dust and debris.
2. Apply a latex bonding agent to the existing concrete floor. This will help the self-leveling concrete compound adhere well. For speed, use a paint brush to apply the bonding agent to the sides and corners of the room and a mop to apply it to the rest of the floor. Allow the bonding agent to dry completely before proceeding.
3. Mix the self-leveling concrete compound, following the instructions on the product. The compound sets and dries quickly. Depending on the size of the floor, you will need multiple buckets of the compound. If you are leveling a large floor, have one or two helpers assist you with this process so that you can mix and lay the compound as quickly and efficiently as possible. Rent a hand-held concrete mixer from a home improvement center.
4. Pour the concrete compound carefully, starting in one corner of the room. The product will seek its own level. Do not work yourself into a corner.
5. Assess the floor surface when the compound is dry. Since you have not poured the surface in one go, it will have dried in different stages, which can commonly cause ridges. Use a trowel and small amount of compound to smooth any imperfections or cracks. When the floor is completely dry, you can lay your floorboards, tile or carpet.
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