The easiest way to level a floor involves using a self-leveling compound, which uses gravity to smooth out any dips in the subfloor. If you need to know how to level a floor without leveling compound to fix structural issues, it can be more difficult.
Floor leveling is a relatively easy DIY project, although some subfloors with rot, insect damage, or structural issues may require professional attention.
Use an underlayment, floor leveler or floor patch product to fix low spots in a wood or concrete subfloor. An underlayment is a thin layer of material sandwiched between two other materials. It's used to help insulate, absorb sound and reduce wear on your floor. It can also serve as a vapor barrier.
There are self-leveling coatings designed to fill gaps and cracks. You could also try using vinyl floor tiles to make the transition more gradual. Probably the easiest (and cheapest) thing to do would be to get a big diamond grinding wheel and bevel down the lip.
Self-leveling compound products can be used on concrete floors, wood subfloors that are uneven but still in decent shape, and even over ceramic tile floors—eliminating the task of tearing out the old tiles. Check to ensure that the product you purchase is compatible with your floor.
Average Cost to Level the Floor in a House
On average, you are looking at about $3 – $5 per square foot.
The floor requires to be primed before applying floor leveler & you'll need the primer to soak into the floor rather than the dust & dirt sitting on top of it. Keep a roll of tape or marker in your pocket when you are vacuuming, & mark all the cracks or holes in the wood that will require to be sealed up.
Polymers are used in everything from leather to wood and from computers to paints and metal coverings. Self-leveling concrete is more expensive gallon-for-gallon because of the added cost required to create it. However, this versatile substance can often be used instead of demolishing damaged concrete and replacing it.
No subfloor is perfectly level, but any signs of unevenness and high or low spots must be remedied. Please follow these requirements: Subfloor unevenness cannot be greater than 3/16 of an inch over a 10-foot span or 1/8 inch over a 6-foot span. Subfloors must not slope more than ½ inch per 6 feet (25 mm per 1.8 m)
Best Self-Leveling Concrete for a Flat Surface—HENRY 565 FloorPro. The HENRY FloorPro is a great floor leveler that can get a flat and smooth surface. This is due to how easy it is to use this self-leveling compound.
As mentioned above, it's common to find slanted floors in a house more than 15 years old due to the home's foundation shifting over time. However, the uneven floor may be an indicator of a larger, unseen problem with the house.
Many homes older than 15 years tend to experience some sort of foundation issue or settlement. Slab, basement, and crawl space foundations are all at risk of settlement, which can cause your floors to warp, bend, and become uneven.
Depending on the product, it may be smooth and flat within 1-2 hours. In about 6 hours, it may be completely hardened and ready for use, depending on the flooring material being installed on top. Self-leveling concrete can be used as an underlayment for tile, carpet, or other floor coverings.
So, whether you want to refinish an uneven floor yourself or completely replace your existing floor, you'll most likely need to level the concrete floor. With the right preparation, techniques, and equipment, you can level your own concrete floor in just a couple of days!
Self-leveling concrete is a polymer-modified cement used to create high-compressive smooth flat surfaces. It is an ideal alternative to regular concrete because it is easy to use and fixes uneven floors in just 4-24 hours.
Coverage: One 50 Lb. bag will cover approximately 40 Sq. Ft. at 1/8 In.
Sand Mix, Portland Cement & Gypsum-Based Compound are practical alternatives to the self-leveling compound. These options are cost-effective materials that are ideal for smoothening up your floor. At the same time, you can also try Drywall Compound and Foam.
One of the main concerns that come with self-leveling concrete is its tendency to crack or crumble. This can be caused by a few different factors, but the main ones are poor bonding between the concrete itself and the newly-poured compound, and movement of the concrete slab.
Prep your subfloor so that it's clean, dry and level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. Use a self-leveler on low spots and/or sand high spots of wood or concrete. Don't sand vinyl flooring as it may contain asbestos.
Underlayment can help smooth things out, though, but the type you choose will vary depending on your specific reasoning for wanting an even subfloor. That can make choosing the right one for you rather tricky, so here's a quick guide that should lend a helping hand in getting the best underlayment for uneven subfloors.
Generally, you should allow the self-levelling compound to dry for one or two days before installing your new tiles. However, you should check the instructions on your product just to be sure.
However, the real problem is whatever caused the differential settlement that led to the floor becoming uneven. If differential settlement isn't fixed, it could lead to structural damage. So, if your home has uneven floors, you should contact a foundation repair professional and request an inspection.
A good rule of thumb to estimate is that a self leveling concrete floor will cost around $600-850 per 100 square feet.
The Solution
If the cause of your uneven floors is structural, you'll need to have a professional assess the problem and make any necessary repairs. This may involve adding additional support to load-bearing walls or beams, as well as replacing damaged or weakened floor joists.