Levelling floor after hearth removal

moonpenny

As above had new inset fire fitted and small hearth removed in the process.

Been left with an uneven messy "concretey" patch that buts up to wooden floorboards. The area is roughly level with floorboards on one side, dips in the middle and is generally a messy patch.

Can anyone recommend  what to use to level this up preferably that comes in small quantities?

I will be having carpet fitted over the area.

FreeBear

A photo would help...

Building regs require a noncombustible surface in front of any/all fires. A minimum of 225 in front, and 150mm to each side. Putting a carpet down close to a fire is not a good idea - I have a hearth that exceeds minimum requirements, yet still get the occasional ember escaping and putting a burn in the carpet (and this is an inset with a door).

Self leveling compound would be the correct material to use. But a 20-25Kg bag is likely to be way more than you need. I have used a cup of cement with 3 or 4 cups of soft sand mixed to a sloppy consistency before now to fill a small area. With floorboards either side, SLC is not essential as you could use a straight edge to level it off.

moonpenny

FreeBear said:

A photo would help...

Building regs require a noncombustible surface in front of any/all fires. A minimum of 225 in front, and 150mm to each side. Putting a carpet down close to a fire is not a good idea - I have a hearth that exceeds minimum requirements, yet still get the occasional ember escaping and putting a burn in the carpet (and this is an inset with a door).

Self leveling compound would be the correct material to use. But a 20-25Kg bag is likely to be way more than you need. I have used a cup of cement with 3 or 4 cups of soft sand mixed to a sloppy consistency before now to fill a small area. With floorboards either side, SLC is not essential as you could use a straight edge to level it off.

Thanks for that FreeBear, Safety is not an issue as it is a modern electric Fire (Log effect) with glass screen at front.
The cement mix I think might be my best bet but I was hoping for something that wouldn't crack when walked over.

FreeBear

moonpenny said:

FreeBear said:

A photo would help...

Building regs require a noncombustible surface in front of any/all fires. A minimum of 225 in front, and 150mm to each side. Putting a carpet down close to a fire is not a good idea - I have a hearth that exceeds minimum requirements, yet still get the occasional ember escaping and putting a burn in the carpet (and this is an inset with a door).

Self leveling compound would be the correct material to use. But a 20-25Kg bag is likely to be way more than you need. I have used a cup of cement with 3 or 4 cups of soft sand mixed to a sloppy consistency before now to fill a small area. With floorboards either side, SLC is not essential as you could use a straight edge to level it off.

Thanks for that FreeBear, Safety is not an issue as it is a modern electric Fire (Log effect) with glass screen at front.
The cement mix I think might be my best bet but I was hoping for something that wouldn't crack when walked over.

Stuff like self leveling compound is formulated to cure even when spread thin. Plain cement mortar requires a certain depth to cure properly. You can improve the adhesion & toughness of cement by adding SBR or an acrylic binder to the mix. But you usually have to buy 5l cans of the stuff...

On the subject of SBR & acrylics, it is a good idea to give the old concrete a coating of SBR (or acrylic) as a primer. Once you've got the carpet down, you'll not notice if it does crack.

stuart45

Wickes do 1 litre tubs of SBR.