I have recently ripped up carpet and padding on a cement floor for a sixth floor condo unit. I plan on installing 3/4" Bella, 3' wide flooring on it. The problem is that there is a ridge, about 1/8", running the length of the room in the cement floor that will buckle the planks if left unaddressed.
What (if any) methods are there for smoothing this ridge?
Edit: I believe the floors are precast concrete slabs and looks like one slab is a little off level, or it settled a bit, thus this ridge.
Maybe another way to ask this – Is there a way to compensate for the slight off levelness as it runs about 20'? The rest of the floor slabs are level with each other.
Best Answer
A picture might be helpful but I think you have two options:
1) Grind down the ridge. This will be messy and create lots of dust
2) Use a self-leveling concrete mix. This is a special mix that starts off almost like water, levels itself and sets relatively quickly. Follow the directions carefuly as usually you have to work with it pretty fast from the time you mix to the time you pour. It will flow into any cracks and holes so make sure that any of these that might cause problems with another floor below you are sealed before you start.