Leveling concrete

[blinn]

There is a small room in our basement, it's a long story, that has a dirt floor. I'm in the process of putting in a concrete floor but there is no way that I can make it completely level and smooth. I'm planning on putting down some leftover VCT which will telegraph and undulation in my work! Is there a good leveler that I can pour that will level that area? I tried one when I tried to level a couple depressions in my garage that didn't work so well.


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[LXCam]

If you haven't pooped yet. Look into screed stakes. You'd be amazed at how close you can get the pour if you take your time placing the mud.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Are you going to pour it all at one time or making several smaller pours?

 

[Cyberbear]

There is a cement based product that can be poured over existing concrete and is self leveling. Floor covering businesses use this very often when leveling out existing uneven floors before installing floor tile. I had this done in a long narrow bathroom and laundry area and after eleven years is still working great.

 

[73RR]

Gyp-crete may be the way to go if you have enough cash to get it done. It can be DIY all depending on the size of the room. It will also have a better bond if you can place it while the concrete is still green.
The other option is to use a pea gravel mix with max quantities of high-range water reducers to have a slump in the 9" range so that it is nearly self-consolidating. You would still need to have some reference points in the base material to mark the surface elevation.

 

[ishiboo]

Just a heads up, if you use one of the self-levelers... a lot of people have had issues with them not self-leveling. If you search for 'self leveler doesn't self level' you will find a bunch of people with the experience I had - mixed EXACTLY correct, it basically had to be screeded. It would start to self-level and flow, but would quickly stop.

Someone commented and said they have had to add more water than recommended every time to get it to work, that may be what our issue was.

 

[bcradio]

All you need is a good laser level to set your forms/lines before you start pouring.

 

[blinn]

Thanks everyone for the help. Has anyone tried this product from Lowes?

MAPEI Indoor Self-Leveling Underlayment


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[redneckcharlie]

Thats a good product. We use that and the self leveler from customs products quite extensively. They are expensive but work very well. A proper mix is a bag in a five gallon bucket with water added to about the 4.5 gallon level. They need to be mixed very well. You want to pour it to low spots first and work your way around. Depot carries the custom products. Make sure ur floor is clean before you apply it. Shop vac'd and light mop is sufficient.

Thanks everyone for the help. Has anyone tried this product from Lowes?

MAPEI Indoor Self-Leveling Underlayment


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[johnnyradiant]

They also have a bonding product to put in existing concrete before apply it. Or you could mix some bond fast glue with water and apply it.


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[RVDan]

Someone who does concrete for a living could make it level. Might want to get an estimate.

 

[SALIV8]

If you haven't pooped yet. Look into screed stakes. You'd be amazed at how close you can get the pour if you take your time placing the mud.

 

[Orionrising]

Bolt a level 2*4 or piece of angle iron leveled to each wall to guide a screed.

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