How much to level a kitchen floor?

powerful_Rogue

The times come where we want to put some new flooring down in the kitchen. The previous vinyl has been in since we bought the house 5 years ago and is very very grotty.

The only problem is, part of the floor is uneven- and this shows through the current vinyl.

Ive seen self leveling compound, my only concern is does the room have to be empty to use this? All the kitchen cupboards etc are all firmly in place and it would be one hell of a job to gut the kitchen just to level a floor!

Our kitchen measures 10'7 x 8'4. Theres not a great amount of actual floor space because of the kitchen cupboards etc.

Is it possible to level a floor with everything in place?
How much would it cost for a professional to come in and do this?
Would it be a builder or a carpet fitters job?

Many Thanks]

Dave

Plasterer

Self levelling compound is a great product and really easy to use (just make sure its mixed to the correct consitsency) when you pour it down spread it with a trowel and watch it do its magic. once its dry - if you do have any small ridges - simply sand down - piece of cake.

powerful_Rogue

Many thanks for your reply.

It seems pretty easy to use from what ive read, my only concern is that its not going to be an empty room. What do I about the kitchen units that are on the ground, If I go right upto them they may appear "sunken" and if I stop a little bit away it will leave a gap. Hope that makes sense!

Plasterer

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

Many thanks for your reply.

It seems pretty easy to use from what ive read, my only concern is that its not going to be an empty room. What do I about the kitchen units that are on the ground, If I go right upto them they may appear "sunken" and if I stop a little bit away it will leave a gap. Hope that makes sense!

assuming you units are level - it shouldn't be a ploblem, when you apply the compound watch how slow it "creaps" (don't put a shed load down) and keep away from you units about a foot as the "creeping" slows down you can literally see it coming to a halt so aply more accordingly (you'll be able to gage it then). Have you got "kick boards" on the bottom of your units? if so take them off and apply the levelling compound then. Then when it has self levelled you may have to plane a small amount of the bottom off your kick boards - again very simple job. Then put kick boards back
Hope all this makes sense
Regards
P
Have a look at this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbkZcEoVCZY

googler

Just watched the video, and whilst I freely admit I've never used the stuff, the method shown, of "pour a little, trowel it around, pour a little, trowel it around" seems to be contrary to the concept - SELF levelling cement.

Pour it, and if it's the right consistency, it finds it's own level.

The only video I'd seen prior to this one was from one of the USA DIY shows, and their method was exactly as I've described. Pour it, get the amount right before it sets, and leave it to level itself.

ormus

assumimg you are not being daft with the actual thickness, itll be ok to leave the units/plinths in place.

Plasterer

googler wrote: »

Just watched the video, and whilst I freely admit I've never used the stuff, the method shown, of "pour a little, trowel it around, pour a little, trowel it around" seems to be contrary to the concept - SELF levelling cement.

Pour it, and if it's the right consistency, it finds it's own level.

The only video I'd seen prior to this one was from one of the USA DIY shows, and their method was exactly as I've described. Pour it, get the amount right before it sets, and leave it to level itself.

By using the trowel - you are not levelling it you are applying it across the surface area. Not sure about the US - maybe they're products are a little more advanced!?! If you just pour a load of this stuff down it will level to the amount you have put on. However when you pour the next load down - you may be pouring more/less so it also will be "level" but may be higher/lower level than your last pour - putting you in the same position as before - UNLEVEL FLOOR.. You will also get ridges where the different mixes meet. Have a look at some more vids on youtube - Everyone will use a trowel (guaranteed). And yes the youtube example I posted is a rough **** (Iv'e just seen him mixing up in the second part of his posts :eek:) I appologise for posting him to give you an example