I want to put laminate in my basement, but the floor is not level. 80% is ok, but the remainder was poorly patched up, leaving a mound maybe 1/2 inch higher. Since the ceiling height is just shy of 7 feet, I have no room for sleepers. Also, since it is only for kids playing and my pool table, cost should be low as possible.
My idea is to lay 1″ rigid insulation on the intire good portion of the floor, and leave the higher area exposed. I can then use either self-leveling compund or regular concrete to level off the problem area, not using any insulation there. Is this a good idea? Any other ideas? I can do most construction projects pretty well, but I haven’t worked with concrete too much.
Thanks a lot
Replies
Why not use a product designed exactly for this:
A self leveling compound.
Anything over 100 square feet and you will need help, lots of it. You must mix all if it and pour it within 5 minutes, so lotsa 5 gal buckets and mixers. Mix it all at once, pour it all at once, smooth it around with a squeegie and let it work. Do not trowel it.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
If 80% of the floor is fine then I would concentrate my efforts on the humps and bumps of the other 20%.
A chipping hammer like the Bosch SDS would make short work of the high spots and if you went a tad further to be sure then then leveling compound needed to smooth out that 20% would be easier to place. A floor grinder would also take down the high spots.