Leveling basement floor

6/6/2012 at 2:24:49 PM

Yes, it is possible to pour over existing concrete. A very common (and recommended) practice for leveling floors before installing flooring is accomplished with a self-leveling product often referred to as "thin-set". Thin-set is more liquid than actual cement or concrete and the liquid quality allows it flow to the low and uneven areas of your existing floor. Most flooring stores/ suppliers have their own installers that they can recommend to you.

Once you have selected your flooring it will be necessary to a professional come in an measure your space. The installer should come and visit you on-site to ensure that measurements are accurate and allow for matching, seaming etc. Floor leveling should be included in the estimate.

Leveling can be accomplished prior to installing new flooring; simply contact a flooring professional (prices vary).

6/6/2012 at 3:59:25 PM

Yes it is, however, ... consider several factors. How thick would the thickest area have to be? how clean is the floor (of dirt, grime or any ither material? Is the floor cracked? If so, what caused the cracking? If it became uneven, was it level to start with?

All minor questions, but have a bearing on repair. The cost will depend on what you use to "adjust" the level and, of course, the amount required. Also, whether you are doing it or you are hiring someone.

People on this site generally are looking for the best and least costly proceedure but in some instances, yours being one of them, I'd suggest contacting several local flooring companies and ask the questions and request estimates.

6/6/2012 at 5:40:37 PM

Yes you can level the floor, but you must find out how thick your going to self level the old concrete, some products don't allow you more then 1/4 inch thick.

Other issue is that you always prime the floor before any thin set or self leveling is applied. Fix and repair any cracks you may have, and clean old floor.

A bag of self levling is 40 to 50 bucks a bag, so might need 10 bags give or take, depending on thickness.

6/6/2012 at 7:28:56 PM

If you are thinking of leveling out the concrete to make it suitable for another type of flooring, you may want to consider a decorative concrete overlay, or micro-topping. These are basically an epoxy/concrete hybrid, and have greater strength than concrete alone. You can have them stained, stamped or etched to look like any type of floor imaginable, from slate to travertine, granite, marble, or even liquid amber, and in any pattern you would like.

It's a fairly cheap alternative, instead of paying to have your floor levelled and then paying for labor and materials for flooring, you would be looking at $7 - 10 per square foot and have it all taken care of at once.

6/6/2012 at 8:25:45 PM

There are leveling compounds available. They are tricky to use but for a floor this size it would probably cost about $2,000.00 plus taxes to have the floor leveled for you by a pro.

Dan Brown

HightecH Installations

6/7/2012 at 1:41:27 AM

Hi,

Need to pour about two inch of light concrete over the existing, a rough estimate is $2300.

6/7/2012 at 7:43:22 AM

Hi Marie

Yes, this is possible using leveling cement and primer. I agree with the information provided so far.

Norm

6/11/2012 at 3:57:07 PM

It is no problem at all to level off uneven concrete surfaces, if your a trained professional. To achieve that finish look and have a floor that wont chip away, cost comes mostly in the matieral. Its always important too use the right tool for the job.

6/11/2012 at 5:07:05 PM

I have a couple of questions. How uneven is the floor? Over any given 8 ft span, how much does it rise or dip? Also, why do you want to level it?

I realize that the answer to my first question might answer the second one, but most concrete basements are uneven. If 1/8"-1/4" maximum over any give 8 ft (and I would say that 1/4" over 8ft is pushing the limit), and you want to put down carpet, you could probably just lay the carpet over the existing floor.

Again, I don't know how bad your floor is, but this is just another point to consider.

6/14/2012 at 12:21:00 AM

Yes it is definitely possible to just have new concrete put over the floor to level it out. This is actually a fairly common thing to have done. As for pricing you would have to contact a concrete specialist to find out what they would charge for this job.

Good luck with your project.

Thank you,

Sherri & Dustin Depatie

Seamless Finishing Inc.

Office : 780-760-3852

Sherri : 780-297-0986

Dustin : 780-885-2231

6/14/2012 at 10:23:47 AM

Depending on the overall grade of the floor u will be able to level it as long as it is not more then one inch in the difference.

7/6/2020 at 5:39:09 PM

Leveling basement floor is really a very difficult and responsible task that requires a serious approach. One mistake can lead to very bad consequences. Therefore, you should do everything as best as possible, because you have no right to make a mistake. Boom lift can help you with quality and serviceable performance of your work.

With this, you can quickly lift heavy things to the floor you need.

8/25/2021 at 4:46:03 PM

Our concrete guy in our home building company usually quotes around $12.50 a square foot.