I'm looking to resurface my basement floor, which is over 100 years old. The floor has a significant slope toward where a central drain used to be, but that drain is no longer in use. I want to use a self-leveling compound, but given the steep gradient, it's going to require way too much of it, making it really expensive. My plan is to first fill the major slope with regular concrete. My main concern is the thin edges after pouring—could these be an issue when I apply the self-leveler on top? Would it be better to go with a sand-concrete mix instead? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Why was the drain decommissioned? If it was allowing water into your basement, then yes, it's probably good you made that change. Just keep an eye on the edge areas. If you do regular concrete first, as long as it's thick enough at the edges, you should be fine to add the self-leveler later. Honestly, a sand-concrete mix could work too if you're looking for a lighter option, but I recommend sticking with regular concrete for stability over time.
It sounds like a smart move to fill in that slope first with regular concrete before using the self-leveler. You definitely want to ensure that you have enough thickness where the self-leveling compound will go. Since you're just dealing with foot traffic, you might be okay with it being around 3/4" thick in some spots, but I'd be cautious at the edges where it might be really thin—1.5" is a better minimum thickness if you want to avoid cracking later. Just make sure that the new concrete is well bonded to the old surface with a primer, and you should be good!
Totally agree! Establishing a good bond with the primer is key here. Also, make sure that your new concrete is mixed well to minimize issues down the line.
I agree with Derek! The original drain's removal might be beneficial, but always prioritize drainage in case moisture becomes an issue again in the future. Solid base first!