This quesion has probably been asked already but I have been unable to find a previous mesage so…
I need to repair/level the floor in my 80 year old house. The basement is dry as long as I run the rain gutters far away from the foundation. The floor is chipping in some places and sounds cracked/hollow in others. It has also been painted. Here are a couple of thoughts or options I thought would work( please excuse my ignoance if I am way off course)
1. Perfect world I would like to increase the current 7′ ceiling height so I can use the basement as a living area. Would I be better off looking to raise the house or lower the floor?
2. If I can’t raise or lower can I put a skim coat over the current floor(painted) and put down a layer of 1/2 cement board to put tile on?
3. If I have to put a new floor in would it be wise to install radient heating in the floor ?
I appreciate any info.
Clem
Replies
"I need to repair/level the floor in my 80 year old house. The basement is dry as long as I run the rain gutters far away from the foundation. The floor is chipping in some places and sounds cracked/hollow in others. It has also been painted. Here are a couple of thoughts or options I thought would work( please excuse my ignoance if I am way off course)
The part about hollow doesn't sound so good. What's going on under there? Is it possible that water has washed away some of the soil under the floor? There was a thread about this recently... someone else's floor slab with a hollow sound under it.
"1. Perfect world I would like to increase the current 7' ceiling height so I can use the basement as a living area. Would I be better off looking to raise the house or lower the floor?
Not likely that you can lower the floor without going too low for the foundation. You'd have to do some digging to find out. Typically the floor slab is poured just above the level of the footing. If your footings go significantly deeper than your current floor, then you may be able to remove the floor and some dirt and pour a new slab. You probably need to talk to an engineer about it. Raising the house is also feasible. It costs a fair amount and causes all sorts of collateral damage (i.e. you need to remove the chimneys, porch steps, etc. and do a bunch of demo to make room for the temporary steel used for jacking. Not for the faint of heart.
"2. If I can't raise or lower can I put a skim coat over the current floor(painted) and put down a layer of 1/2 cement board to put tile on?
Based on your description the floor does not sound suitable for tile.
"3. If I have to put a new floor in would it be wise to install radient heating in the floor ?
Radiant heating is nice, comfortable heat. You would need to add a boiler for it, which takes space and requires a flue and gas connection. Get a radiant contractor to check it out and give you a price.
Edited 1/31/2004 10:27:52 PM ET by davidmeiland