[GregVelo]

Hi
I'm renewing my basement and I'm currently trying to figure out why to do with the floor. The floor is a little uneven and it's concrete. I did a lot of research and I'd skip the self leveling compound to even it out. So, I'm considering to put down OSB as a subfloor, screwing it down in the concrete. Do you think this would work? Could I use 1/2" OSB or is it really necessary 3/4"? I'm posting a pic of the concrete so you get an idea of what I'm talking about. Thanks for the insights.

 

[Daniel Holzman]

Concrete tends to wick water upward from the soil. OSB is not water resistant, so would be a poor choice for direct contact with concrete. But I am unclear what you are trying to do. What does "renew" mean? Are you planning to put down tile, carpet, hardwood floor? Are you concerned that the concrete is not flat? Not really sure what your game plan is.

 

[GregVelo]

Concrete tends to wick water upward from the soil. OSB is not water resistant, so would be a poor choice for direct contact with concrete. But I am unclear what you are trying to do. What does "renew" mean? Are you planning to put down tile, carpet, hardwood floor? Are you concerned that the concrete is not flat? Not really sure what your game plan is.

I was planning on putting laminate or vinyl planks over it. My concern is that the concrete is not flat enough, so I was thinking of flatting it out with OSB. Obviously I'd put a vapor barrier between the concrete and the OSB.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[JazMan]

Greg,

That's a terrible idea. Make the floor flat and install approved flooring direct after you do the proper moisture tests.

BTW, how is installing sheets of OSB (or anything), gonna change how flat the floor is?

Jaz

 

[GregVelo]

Greg,

That's a terrible idea. Make the floor flat and install approved flooring direct after you do the proper moisture tests.

BTW, how is installing sheets of OSB (or anything), gonna change how flat the floor is?

Jaz

Okay. Bad idea. I'll just use Self Leveling Compound and than I'll lay vinyl planks over it. Is that right? Do you have any recommendations on the SLC? Thanks.

 

[JazMan]

How big is the entire area and how much out of level is the room? You can't guess at the answer, you need long straight edge and level etc. There are many choices of SLC, most brands make at least 3-4 varieties. Plus we have no idea what brands you have available near you cuz we don't know where abouts you be.

Jaz

 

[Olcrazy1]

Are you worried about "level" being from one side to the other or just the rough dimples in the concrete finish? I get the feeling it's the dimples you are talking about. If so depending on what type of floor you are talking about you can go right over them and not know they are there once finished

 

[GregVelo]

Are you worried about "level" being from one side to the other or just the rough dimples in the concrete finish? I get the feeling it's the dimples you are talking about. If so depending on what type of floor you are talking about you can go right over them and not know they are there once finished

I want to install vinyl planks. Most it's just dimples in the concrete finish, but there are some small valleys here and there. Do you think I could install vinyl planks over it? Or should I just use some SLC? Another thing, under the vinyl planks should I put some kind of underlayment? Thanks for your time

 

[Fix'n it]

get a few of the vinyl planks you want. put them on a high trafic area of the floor. then walk on them as much as you can. see how they hold up.

but, from what little i can see, you should sand the floor a little. as those little blemishes will show through the vinyl.

your slab doesn't need to be level, at all. nor does it need to be near perfectly flat.
what it does need to be, for an acceptable outcome (note i didn't say perfect) is to be pretty smooth and somewhat flat.