Hey everyone! I'm working with a really skilled contractor who has a solid track record. He suggested using modified thinset to level my floor over a somewhat uneven concrete slab, and I wanted to get your thoughts on this approach. Here's what he plans to do:
1. He'll apply the thinset directly to the uneven slab, possibly with additional adhesive (I'll check on that). The thinset depth will vary across the surface to accommodate the low spots.
2. Next, he'll place ripped 2x4's on the thinset in parallel rows, ensuring they're perfectly level. This is crucial, and the thinset can be adjusted to achieve this.
3. Finally, he plans to put down some sturdy OSB or plywood on top of the level 2x4's. We want to ensure everything stays level.
He picked this modified thinset for its durability and ability to maintain a level surface over time. I'm not a fan of self-leveling compounds, so I'd prefer this method. Are there any concerns or additional suggestions you might have?
3 Answers
Sounds like a solid plan. Just make sure to use treated lumber for the 2x4's and consider sealing the cut edges too. That'll help with durability!
This method should definitely work and give you a flat floor! Just curious, how high are you trying to raise it?
It's around 1.5 inches across 500 sqft, in a couple of connected areas and a hallway. Using standard plywood and then self-leveling compound would really ruin the fun for me!
Honestly, a concrete slab or self-leveling compound would give you the best results without all that hassle of leveling the 2x4's. Doing it this way could lead to issues later on, especially if the floor was initially uneven.
I get where you're coming from, but my experience with concrete or SLC in enclosed spaces is that it can be a real pain to get it flat. Trying to screed correctly with walls in the way? Not fun at all!
Yeah, I've been looking into how modified thinset reacts with regular 2x4's. Seems like using treated wood is definitely the better choice.