I’m planning on replacing the vinal floor in my kitchen with another one. Trouble is the floor is not level–or should I say flat? I have not measured the dips yet but some may be a 1/2′. The self levelling compounds sound a bit tricky and maybe toxic but I would consider using one. However, I’m inclined towards something I could trowel on. What could I use for this application?
Also, should I level the floor first and then put on some luan or apply the levelling compound over the luan? Any advice, epxperiences would be helpful.
Replies
Armstrong has a trowable cementous based floor level/patching compound.
It is not self-leveling, but it sets up within a few minutes similar to the self leveling stuff.
Lowes an dHD has the stuff. It might be Henry's brand at HD.
Try the Custom Rapid Level. Easy to use particulary in small spaces. I am not aware of any toxicity issues beyond those associated with all cementatious product.
Bruce
(I'm guessing you meant 1/2 INCH dips as opposed to the 1/2' you wrote?)
With dips that pronounced, i'd be looking into 'why' instead of merely filling them, bec it sounds like failing subfloor to me, perhaps rot or wet particle board. You may need to replace subfloor before continuing, but at least you wouldn't be throwing money away.
Thanks for the info. This is a small, old house on the shore of Lake Erie and it's been through a lot: floods, previous owner moved it and put in a new, amateur foundation, etc. So, there may be some issues with the "trueness" of the foundation. Also, there may be some rot but the underside of the subfloor has a layer of 1/4" foam which I've been reluctant to remove. Looks like I better check and see what shape the subfloor is in.
I have an acquaintance who bought a house with a carpeted LR over one layer of PB over a dirt crawl. The dirt was so close to the joists that he didn't get hurt when he fell through the floor one evening.You'll never regret doing it right as opposed to doing it again.
Solve why it is dipping first.
Then, if floor still needs to be leveled use the Custom leveler. There are a few other brands that have a pourable leveling material.
Once cured, lay down a 1/4" sheet of underlayment = luan without voids. If the luan is cheap, assume it has voids. You WILL find the voids if you use the cheap crap.
After the luan is glued and screwed down, skimcoat the entire subfloor with the Henry Feather Finish. It comes in 5lb. bags. Mix-up only what you can use in 15min because it sets in less than a 1/2 hour. The skimming prevents the luan seams and grain and the screw holes and heads from telegraphing through the finish flooring material you lay over it.
Hope this helps,
Frankie
Flay your Suffolk bought-this-morning sole with organic hand-cracked pepper and blasted salt.
Thrill each side for four minutes at torchmark haut. Interrogate a lemon.
Embarrass any tough roots from the samphire. Then bamboozle till it's al dente with that certain je ne sais quoi.
Arabella Weir as Minty Marchmont - Posh Nosh