We are in the process of re-doing our basement, and we are at the point of waiting for flooring. We have picked out a kanga backed Berber. The problem is that the cement floor is in very bad condition - so bad, that our installer said he won't adhere the floor to it. THe carpet store has suggested for us to contact a cement company to get it resurfaced, but this would be of great expense. Any suggestions???
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You can do small repairs to the holes with cementitious patching (purpose made product) materials. These purpose made materials have latex additives that will help the patching compound bond to the holes. Do not apply a thin ...say 1/2 inch parging of concrete ("cement"). This will not bond and will break up under the carpet. And do not use a gypsum based floor leveling product. This will be affected by the moisture and will certainly break up. My recemmendation would be to apply a sheet of polyethylene and strap with 2"x4"'s. Attach with a hilti gun. Insulate (styrofoam)between the 2"x 4"'s and cover with 5/8" plywood. Then carpet. You could use treated wood then poly. There is no product that you can "pour" on.
Added note: I've speced products before that were similar to then ones referenced in an earlier post. They do work great but ususlly require a good substrate, proper prep, and must be installed in accor. with manufacturer's instructions. A concrete restoration company usually installs these products. The products are very expensive.
Our house is very old, and the cement is best described as "flaking away" at this point. It is chalky and stones are coming loose. There are sections that have quite big "holes" in it, making it uneven.
The carpet store recommended not putting an underlay under the Kanga Back carpeting, in case we ever get moisture under it (mold, etc.)
We are not cementing the carpet down. They recommended we re-cement the floor to even it out before installing the carpet. We have no Home-Depot close to where we live, so at this point, we are just lying down the carpet, without adhereing it to the cement. (no glue).
That's what's happening.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Tammy
You can install 2ftx 2ft square obs panel with a plastic dimpled back to allow moisture to move , if any. Any restoration of concrete depends on the existing condition and what caused the deterioration. Is your floor cracked, or does it have localized spalds (ie pop outs)? You cannot just use concrete to repair small areas. Stay away from just thin overlays...this cannot work unless it is an epoxy or other product made for overlays. There is no easy way to "spread' a cementitious thin coating. One, question, why are you cementing the carpet? Do you have underlay? I'd be interested in hearing a bit more. Earl
Here is a website to read about those kind of products.
http://www.super-tek.com/surfaceprep.htm
(Notice that you need to use a liquid primer to make it stick better.)
I know there is a product called self leveling cement that I think you can do yourself and fill the problem areas. I believe you can buy it at stores like Home depot etc. I have heard though that if the cement has been painted then it WON'T adhere properly. Maybe call Home Depot and see what they think about this product.
Hope that helps you out.
You could build a sub floor over it with wood. Check the building centres for "how to". Or run a search online. I don't think it's too difficult to build one.