Sub floor Problems
#1
02-02-14, 01:06 AM
Sub floor Problems
Hello, I have searched and searched and have found so much information that it is too confusing to process.
My Problem.... I am about to buy and house and it has a basement, 1st story and 2nd story. I am going to carpet the 2nd story so no big deal there. The sub floor on the first flow is not level. At the center of the floor to the fireplace that is a decent decline. I spoke to a "Flooring expert" today and he stated there is no need to level the floor because the underlay will allow the floor to float and there will be no buckling problems.
A friend of mine said that his floor did this and he poured Self Leveling Quikcrete on the floor and it solved his problem and he was able to lay the floor.
Will the decline in the floor cause a problem and will quickcrete really solve the issue? Also is it safe to use quickcrete on the floor since I have a basement?
thanks for you help.
My Problem.... I am about to buy and house and it has a basement, 1st story and 2nd story. I am going to carpet the 2nd story so no big deal there. The sub floor on the first flow is not level. At the center of the floor to the fireplace that is a decent decline. I spoke to a "Flooring expert" today and he stated there is no need to level the floor because the underlay will allow the floor to float and there will be no buckling problems.
A friend of mine said that his floor did this and he poured Self Leveling Quikcrete on the floor and it solved his problem and he was able to lay the floor.
Will the decline in the floor cause a problem and will quickcrete really solve the issue? Also is it safe to use quickcrete on the floor since I have a basement?
thanks for you help.
#2
02-02-14, 03:16 AM
Welcome to the forums! SLC can be successfully used to level a floor. It is not Quickrete, but a special slurry formulation just for that purpose. However, you see the problem. It will not get better by putting a bandaid on it. The structure should be corrected before you proceed to installing flooring. How much of a drop are you experiencing? Is it only dropping in one direction? Toward the fireplace?
#3
02-02-14, 06:55 AM
Member
Is the framing exposed in the basement? If so, we can zero in on the source of the floor being out of level and correct permanently. Poor flashing, and leaks around the chimney often let moisture in. There may be some issues that have caused the floor to drop. Refer to your flooring installation instruction for max. allowable floor deflection and level requirements. If you are outside the guidelines, it will void the warranty.
#4
02-02-14, 08:31 PM
Ok this floor issue appears to be an optical illusion due a base board that is not level. I went into the house today and laid a level on the floor and the floor was flat except in two small areas. Both were very minor depressions level indicated approximately 2 Degrees.
#5
02-04-14, 07:44 AM
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As long as you are there and mildly concerned; do check the structure. Creative remodels, especially fireplaces, may have been done without proper support. Hopefully it is just an optical illusion, but best to be sure.
One thing you don't want to do is add compound to an area that doesn't have correct support, as you would be adding more weight to a weak area. That's worse than just using a bandaid, it's using a dirty bandaid.
One thing you don't want to do is add compound to an area that doesn't have correct support, as you would be adding more weight to a weak area. That's worse than just using a bandaid, it's using a dirty bandaid.
