Repairs to concrete floor

lyniced

After pulling up a carpet in the hallway to lay new flooring, we discovered that the concrete flooring underneath has cracked nd crumbled in a couple of places. In order to get the new flooring down, we have to make the concrete level again. We want to get someone in to do the job, as my husband doesn't feel up to it. Any ideas where we could turn? We live in Kent.

Johnandabby

It will depend on the severity of cracking and crumbling. When we did our new vinyl flooring there was minor crumbling (about 5mm deep), and our floor fitter used a latex screed to make it level again. It was a self-levelling screed which worked really well, and was only a couple of millimetres thick. Perhaps speak to a vinyl installer, as it's quite common for this - we got our vinyl floor from Allied Carpets, and this was part of their installation.

If it's more significant cracking/crumbling, it might need to be a cement screed which would be much thicker

lyniced

Johnandabby wrote: »

It will depend on the severity of cracking and crumbling. When we did our new vinyl flooring there was minor crumbling (about 5mm deep), and our floor fitter used a latex screed to make it level again. It was a self-levelling screed which worked really well, and was only a couple of millimetres thick. Perhaps speak to a vinyl installer, as it's quite common for this - we got our vinyl floor from Allied Carpets, and this was part of their installation.

If it's more significant cracking/crumbling, it might need to be a cement screed which would be much thicker

There is more significant cumbling - about 2 inch max, but only in one area. The cracking looks superficial, but in 2 small areas. The carpet fitter wouldn't fit the carpet and new underlay until the floor is level.

DTDfanBoy

If it's carpet going down, and you are using a reasonably thick underlay, I'd just clean out the more significant crumbling patches, cold chisel+wire brush then fill with mortar.

A good underlay will help hide smaller imperfections of a few mm or so, which is all you should be left with after you've filled the cracks with mortar. Fairly straightforward process and bound to be a whole lot cheaper than getting the whole floor levelled.

lyniced

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

If it's carpet going down, and you are using a reasonably thick underlay, I'd just clean out the more significant crumbling matches, cold chisel+wire brush then fill with mortar.

A good underlay will help hide smaller imperfections of a few mm or so, which is all you should be left with after you've filled the cracks with mortar. Fairly straightforward process and bound to be a whole lot cheaper than getting the whole floor levelled.

So, can you tell me what we would need to buy? i.e. what equipment and materials?

ian103

if it is 2" deep for ease I would probably buy a bag of premix concrete (just add water) and a bag of latex from someone like wickes or another shed as they all stock the same stuff. I would remove the deep areas and possibly unibond the area, then fill with the concrete. when dry i would latex over the area. If you have some sand and cement I would make a strong mix of 3 sand / 1 cement and trowel in to the void, trowel to a smooth finish and see how it looks when dry.

lyniced

ian103 wrote: »

if it is 2" deep for ease I would probably buy a bag of premix concrete (just add water) and a bag of latex from someone like wickes or another shed as they all stock the same stuff. I would remove the deep areas and possibly unibond the area, then fill with the concrete. when dry i would latex over the area. If you have some sand and cement I would make a strong mix of 3 sand / 1 cement and trowel in to the void, trowel to a smooth finish and see how it looks when dry.

I will pass all this on to my husband. He has never been that happy at DIY, but has done painting, putting up shelves and polyfilling holes etc, so I'm hoping this wont phase him too much. And besides it doesn't need to look pretty, as no-one will see it.

phill99

If you aren't happy doing it, why don't you post where you are in Kent. Someone may have a recomendation for a Handyman who sould come and do it.

ormus

best to dig out any damage/holes/cracks to a min depth of say 12/25mm before you cement em in.
cement in a thin layer is rarely any good.

lyniced

phill99 wrote: »

If you aren't happy doing it, why don't you post where you are in Kent. Someone may have a recomendation for a Handyman who sould come and do it.

Tunbridge wells

Leif

I had a few small holes a few cm across and deep in the screed which builders plugged with mortar. It fell out. I re-filled with some cement, and it seems to have held. I suppose longevity depends if it will get a lot of traffic when carpeted.