How to Level a Wavy and Bumpy Floor
- Concrete Grinder Small humps and dips can be ground out of a concrete floor with a sander or a grinder, but if you have larger humps in a concrete floor the best option is a concrete grinder. ...
- Sanding ...
- Floor Scraper ...
- Self-leveling Compound ...
How to fix a crack in concrete?
What to do if water comes through crack in concrete?
Why won't my mortar bond?
How to straighten a crack in a wall?
How much does cement all cost?
How to fix a crack in a wall?
How to protect yourself from concrete dust?
See 4 more
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How do you get rid of bumps on concrete floor?
You can use a sander or an angle grinder with a cup wheel to remove the bumps. A buffing machine with a sanding pad will smooth out the surface, just remember to vacuum the pad every now and then for maximum performance.
What causes bumps in concrete floor?
A foundation upheaval is usually responsible for bumps that appear gradually in a concrete slab floor. In most cases, this happens when there is a plumbing leak. When clay absorbs water, it tends to expand which exerts an immense force on the concrete floor causing a mound or bump.
How do you level a very uneven concrete floor?
The easiest way is to use a self-leveling compound, also called liquid floor underlayment or floor resurfacer, within sections of level-cut rails. The material flows out like thick syrup, then hardens into a smooth, perfectly level surface, sometimes in less than an hour.
Can you sand down concrete to make it level?
Once the repairs have been made to the concrete surface there may be high spots or imperfections in the filling medium. Sanding over these areas will help remove any high spots by leveling the surface.
How do you level a floor with a hump?
How to Fix the Floor When It Is Higher in the MiddleGrinding Down the Peak. ... Self-Leveling Compound. ... Paper Shims and Plywood Strips. ... Leveling Floor Joists With Shims. ... Existing Finish Installations.
What is the cheapest way to level a concrete floor?
There are self-leveling coatings designed to fill gaps and cracks. You could also try using vinyl floor tiles to make the transition more gradual. Probably the easiest (and cheapest) thing to do would be to get a big diamond grinding wheel and bevel down the lip.
How much does it cost to level a concrete floor?
Concrete leveling costs $3 to $6 per square foot. Although concrete leveling and mudjacking are the cheaper options, your decision should not be made only on cost. Other factors such as the area to be leveled must be taken into consideration.
How do you fix an uneven floor in an old house?
Step-By-Step Guide to Fix Uneven Floors in an Old HouseDetermine the Cause of the Uneven Floor. ... Investigate Underneath. ... Use Wood Filler to Fill Holes. ... Pour Self-Leveling Underlayment on the Uneven Area of the Floor. ... Sister the Joists. ... Level the Floor Joist Using Shims. ... Lay Down New Hardwood. ... Old Floor Joists.More items...•
What is concrete bulging?
When compacting and placing concrete, the shutter can be greatly turned aside from a straight course in weak areas. The deformation of the forms causes the concrete to expand at this point, which is called the of bulging the concrete.
How do you prevent bubbles in concrete?
Lower the viscosity of cement by adding sand or fly ash. This allows large aggregate to move more freely and reduces the amount of air entrapment. Use aggregate that is more uniform in shape. Irregular shaped pieces of aggregate tend to make the concrete less fluid.
Why is my basement floor bulging?
What causes basement floors and interior footings to "heave"? Typically heaving occurs when moisture is added to or returns to the soil, causing it to expand, which pushes up the floor slabs and interior footings. Heave usually occurs with newer homes.
How do you fix concrete blisters?
What Can I Do If Concrete Blisters Form?Using wind breaks;Misting the surface with water;Adding evaporation retarders; and/or.Covering the surface with polyethylene film or wet burlap.
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How to Fix Up Old Concrete Floors | Home Guides | SF Gate
How to Fix Up Old Concrete Floors. Concrete flooring is a budget-friendly, durable option that works in a variety of spaces, including basements and garages. But over time, concrete can become ...
How to Fix a Crumbling Cement Floor | eHow
Concrete contains cement, along with sand and water. The mixture is fairly straightforward, with the resulting product being one of the hardest construction materials known. It is has been used around the world for centuries in residential and commercial construction.
How to fix a crack in concrete?
Brush a concrete bonding agent into the crack or hole. Bonding agent is a liquid that helps concrete stick better. Dip a paintbrush into the bottle and spread an even layer into the damaged area. Cover every part of the crack or hole. Then let the bonding agent dry for 1 hour.
What to do if water comes through crack in concrete?
If you mean that there's water coming through the crack, then you may have a damaged pipe beneath the concrete. Call a contractor or plumber to inspect the damage as soon as possible.
Why won't my mortar bond?
If the mortar is too watery, it won’t bond well. Add more dry mortar to make it thicker if you have to.
How to straighten a crack in a wall?
The bonding material won’t stick as well to rounded edges. Take a chisel and hammer and tap any rounded edges to straighten them out .
How much does cement all cost?
Cement-all is the best. It does not need a bonding agent, and is especially strong. It costs about $20 USD per bag at most hardware and home improvement stores. It was designed to fix driveways and cement stairs, and is easy to work with, but the area must be clean of all soap, oil and dust, and cannot be too smooth.
How to fix a crack in a wall?
Scrub the damaged area with a wire brush and water. Dip the brush in water and scrub every part of the crack or hole. This gives the bonding material a greater surface area to adhere to. Make sure you get all the edges, sides, and the bottom of the damaged area.
How to protect yourself from concrete dust?
Put on goggles, gloves, and a dust mask to protect yourself. This job sends a lot of dust and concrete debris into the air. Prevent injuries by wearing goggles and a dust mask. Protect your hands with a thick pair of work gloves.
What to wear during concrete repair?
Wear long protective clothing, including work gloves, a face mask and safety goggles during the repair process to protect from concrete shards and harmful chemicals in the overlay material. Advertisement.
How to texture a floor?
Texture the surface of the floor by lightly running the grinder over the entire floor in rows. Remove any grinding residue with the push broom.
How to make self leveling compound?
Mix the self-leveling compound with water in a large bucket, using an electric drill with a paddle-bit attachment. Mix the compound to the consistency of oatmeal. Pour the compound onto the floor, filling the marked dips in the floor first, and then applying a layer about a ½-inch thick on the floor's surface.
Can you walk on a concrete floor?
Things You'll Need. Concrete roughened by flaking and cracks throughout its surface can be tough to walk on and unsightly. A well-finished concrete floor should be comfortable to use as well as strong and durable. During finishing, the floor is leveled and smoothed with a surface that you can walk across on your bare feet.
Is concrete roughened?
Concrete roughened by flaking and cracks throughout its surface can be tough to walk on and unsightly. A well-finished concrete floor should be comfortable to use as well as strong and durable. During finishing, the floor is leveled and smoothed with a surface that you can walk across on your bare feet. With years of use though, a concrete floor ...
What is the best way to clean a floor?
It’s also a good idea to run a dry mop, broom, or vacuum over the work area to remove any dust or dirt. The final step to preparing the work surface involves a thorough cleaning. Dish soap or a standard store-bought cleaner might be sufficient, but dirtier floors might require pressure washing.
What is the best way to level concrete?
Here are some common methods for leveling concrete: Self-leveling concrete – This polymer-modified cement is commonly used to level cement, and is especially effective on subfloors. Self-leveling concrete is not as durable as traditional concrete, and it’s best used for floors with less than an inch of height variance.
Why is my concrete floor uneven?
Settling, erosion, moisture, and other factors can cause concrete to become uneven, cracked, or chipped. The good news is that there are ways to repair uneven concrete, even if it’s on the floor inside your house. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Do you need even floors for vinyl planks?
Subfloors for carpet, vinyl planks, and engineered hardwood don’t require perfectly even floors so you can get away with more variation in the concrete. If the floors won’t be covered or will be covered with tile or hardwood, leveln and even concrete floors are essential. You can begin preparing the surface after you’ve got your plan.
Do you need to plan concrete floors before you start work?
Will it be the actual floor, with no coverings over the top, or will it be the subfloor with a different material over top of it? Subfloors for carpet, vinyl planks, and engineered hardwood don’t require perfectly even floors so you can get away with more variation in the concrete . If the floors won’t be covered or will be covered with tile or hardwood, leveln and even concrete floors are essential.
What is the best way to grind a concrete floor?
Concrete Grinder. Small humps and dips can be ground out of a concrete floor with a sander or a grinder, but if you have larger humps in a concrete floor the best option is a concrete grinder. This is a machine that is similar to a two-handled sanding machine that you walk behind, except that it has grinder wheels inside which are designed ...
How to scrape warps in OSB?
Plywood and OSB subfloors that have warps from water drops or moisture damage can be scraped level with a two-handed floor scraper with a razor blade on the other end. This only works for slight warps of up to 1/4 inch in height. Anything larger will likely need to be sanded although you can see if you are physically strong enough to push the blade through larger high spots. This is rough-in work for subfloors that will be covered with carpet, tile or another finish material.
Can you use a grinder to sand concrete?
You can also use an angle grinder with a cup wheel for concrete floors. You can use a two-handled sanding and buffing machine with a sanding pad attached to the bottom to sand out large sections of both concrete and wood floors, although you should vacuum out the pad periodically throughout the process to keep the sanding pad working ...
Can you turn a damaged concrete floor into a smooth surface?
While you might not care what your garage floor looks like, it's likely that you will want a smoother, unblemished surface for your indoors. Fortunately, you don't have to deal with dips, holes, and cracks. The work may be challenging, but you can turn an uneven, damaged concrete floor into a smooth, level surface without the cost of a pro.
Can you use chemical strippers on flooring?
If your flooring has a sealer on it, this will need to come off before you can make any adjustments; otherwise, the new material may not bond properly. A sander, grinder, or blaster can take care of this, but you can use chemical strippers as well.
Can you use epoxy on a floor?
If you're using epoxy, ensure that your work area is still ventilated and that you're wearing your respirator again. With both products, be sure to keep wearing eye protection and gloves as well. Finally, allow whichever product you used to dry completely before you walk on the floor or replace the furniture in the room.
Can you use epoxy to level cement?
If you have a mostly level surface with just a few minor holes and cracks, use an epoxy coating you can apply just like paint. On the other hand, if your cement floor is extremely uneven or has large holes or cracks , you will need a leveling compound to smooth it.
What is the best way to stabilize a foundation?
Piering is another technique available for stabilizing your foundation. The process involves the use of concrete or metal posts to support your building. These posts are usually placed at the footing of your foundation. And hydraulic jacks are generally used to elevate the foundation.
What happens if you put a subfloor on a business?
The more layers you place on your subfloors, the more likely you will end up with highly uneven surfaces that cause you to slip, stumble, trip, and fall. As a result, you and your loved ones may end up with sprains, fractures, head injuries, abrasions, and bruises. So, if this kind of uneven subfloor is on your business premises, you may end up getting sued.
What Causes Uneven Subfloors?
Before you decide which strategy you can use to fix your uneven subfloor, you need to determine the problem. Doing so will enable you to use the right approach to fix the problem once and for all.
What is underlayment in flooring?
Flooring underlayment is a layer of material put between the subfloor and the top floor covering to even out the surface underneath it. You can place it above subfloors made of wood as well as those made of concrete. It should be thick enough to hide imperfections and thin enough to prevent height discrepancies between rooms.
Why is my subfloor uneven?
That’s because, over time, your concrete slab or any other kind of subfloor will experience wear and tear. And the aging process will result in many imperfections, which lead to uneven spots within the subfloor.
What does it mean when a subfloor slopes?
The sloppier your subfloor is, the more likely some of your furniture is to move. If your subfloor slopes from end to end, lighter furniture pieces may move in the same direction when slightly pushed. And if some parts of your subfloor are raised while others are depressed, you are likely to deal with wobbling furniture, which is unstable.
What is subflooring?
A subfloor is a thick flat base upon which you will lay all other flooring layers. It can consist of concrete slab, plywood, wood planks, and oriented strand board (OSB), among other things.
What to use when subfloor is uneven?
Here are some things to consider when your subfloor is uneven. 1. Self-Leveling Compound. When you are dealing with uneven floors, one option that you have is to use self-leveling compound.
How big should plywood be for a subfloor?
Since plywood sheets are usually 4x8 feet, they should be big enough to span any differences in flooring height and provide you with a sturdy subfloor to work with. When installing the plywood, make sure that you use nails that are thick enough to go through the plywood and all the way down through the floor below.
Can plywood be installed over a lower floor?
If you have a large difference from one area of the floor to the other, you could find the appropriate thickness of plywood and install it over the top of the lower portion of the floor . This will allow the two areas of the floor to meet up at the same height.
Can you grind down a hump in a concrete slab?
Another option that you may have is to grind down the floor. This works best if you have a large hump in the middle of a concrete slab. If you have a hump in a wood subfloor, you can sand it down with a sander.
Can self leveling compound be used on concrete?
This compound can potentially be utilized on a concrete slab or a wood subfloor, and it works well when you are dealing with dips in the floor. Self-leveling compound is similar to concrete, typically coming in large bags in powder form. You mix it with water in a bucket until it creates a thick paste.
Can you use self leveling compound on a floor?
Then you will need to let it dry before you do anything else with the floor. If you have a large height difference in the floor, you may need to apply multiple layers of the self-leveling compound. In this fashion, you can create a ramp effect if needed.
Can you put plywood on top of concrete?
By putting in new plywood, you can effectively create a new, perfectly smooth surface to install your flooring on. This method is easiest if you are dealing with a wood subfloor, but it can be done on top of concrete if need be.
How to fix a crack in concrete?
Brush a concrete bonding agent into the crack or hole. Bonding agent is a liquid that helps concrete stick better. Dip a paintbrush into the bottle and spread an even layer into the damaged area. Cover every part of the crack or hole. Then let the bonding agent dry for 1 hour.
What to do if water comes through crack in concrete?
If you mean that there's water coming through the crack, then you may have a damaged pipe beneath the concrete. Call a contractor or plumber to inspect the damage as soon as possible.
Why won't my mortar bond?
If the mortar is too watery, it won’t bond well. Add more dry mortar to make it thicker if you have to.
How to straighten a crack in a wall?
The bonding material won’t stick as well to rounded edges. Take a chisel and hammer and tap any rounded edges to straighten them out .
How much does cement all cost?
Cement-all is the best. It does not need a bonding agent, and is especially strong. It costs about $20 USD per bag at most hardware and home improvement stores. It was designed to fix driveways and cement stairs, and is easy to work with, but the area must be clean of all soap, oil and dust, and cannot be too smooth.
How to fix a crack in a wall?
Scrub the damaged area with a wire brush and water. Dip the brush in water and scrub every part of the crack or hole. This gives the bonding material a greater surface area to adhere to. Make sure you get all the edges, sides, and the bottom of the damaged area.
How to protect yourself from concrete dust?
Put on goggles, gloves, and a dust mask to protect yourself. This job sends a lot of dust and concrete debris into the air. Prevent injuries by wearing goggles and a dust mask. Protect your hands with a thick pair of work gloves.