How to level a basement floor?

[ken0042]

Well, the basement is coming along and I thought I was ready to install the subfloor in the bathroom. I bought the Dri-Core subfloor and thought I was good to go. Turns out my job of leveling the floor was not as good as I thought, because as I walk on the subfloor I can feel the "thump-thump" of the panels lifting and lowering.

Somebody at work suggested self leveling cement and I thought they were joking. Turns out such a product exists.

I had alread bought thinset to level the floor, and I'm just wondering if anybody has any tips or suggestions for leveling the floor. Or if they've used this stuff and has anything to say about it. Oh, if anybody is curious as to why the floor is so bad, it's because I didn't do a great job of pouring the concrete when I filled in after running the plumbing.

[Caged Great]

I've had personal experience with Self Leveling cement.

The first time we put it down, we were given the wrong bonding glue (yes there's glue involved) and it didn't adhere.

We got this super strength glue to go with it after we took it out and put the stuff in, and it works great.

I would recommend the stuff, but make sure when you get the stuff get the strongest bonding glue that you can possibly get (There's a specific place that I have to look up to get it which I'll get for you later)

[Flames_Gimp]

yup the self leveling stuff is what u need

[HockeyPuck]

I just used the self leveling cement that you can buy at home depot. There are 2 types - one that you have to trowel, and the other you don't. It's about a difference of $20. I picked the non-trowelling one - it's a lot more easier to use, but a 50lb bag will cost you $45. I bag covers about 20 sq.ft. But you have to prime the floor first - if your floor is porous, you'll have to put 2 or 3 coats - not too bad, the stuff dries really fast. Anyways, it's pretty simple, just start at the lowest point and pour.

I never had to use any kind of glue.

[HockeyPuck]

Here's the stuff I used:

Stone Mason Super EZ Flow

[ken0042]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, the biggest PITA with this is the area that needs to be leveled is only about 2 square feet, and only needs to come up 1/4 inch.

One thing I was thinking of, could I use thinset to accomplish the same thing? Or does this self leveling stuff have special qualities or something?

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Thanks guys.

One thing I was thinking of, could I use thinset to accomplish the same thing? Or does this self leveling stuff have special qualities or something?

could always just try a $6 bag of concrete? trowel it level your self? or even concrete patch material

[HockeyPuck]

If it's that small of an area and only 1/4", I think you should be fine just using thinset. I have a coworker that had to only level a small area, and he was told to use thinset.

[Caged Great]

Yeah, it would be best to use thinset instead. Our basement was up to 2 inches wrong from one side of a room to the other.

It wasn't fun.

[Gobsgraham]

Dri-core has a levelling kit that you can buy for $5 that will work fine for this. It is also available a Home Depot.