FAQ: How To Concrete Basement Floor?

What kind of concrete do you use for a basement floor?

Use Sakrete 5000 Plus High Strength Concrete Mix for repair and building projects where concrete thickness is 2 inches or more and demands excellent strength. It is a professional-grade blend of portland cement, sand and gravel that is formulated for superior durability.

How much does it cost to pour a concrete basement floor?

Concrete flooring cost ranges between: $2 to $6 per square foot for a basic design. $7 to $14 for a mid-range design. $15 to $30 for a high-end, customized floor.

How thick should a basement concrete floor be?

A. The average thickness for a basement floor should be 4″. If you have any load bearing walls, columns, or a chimney, these areas should have footings already in place before the floor is poured.

Should you put plastic under concrete?

Recently, though, research has shown that the old traditional layer of 6-mil Visqueen (polyethylene plastic) under the slab is seldom effective for two main reasons: Although it may seem water-tight, this grade of material allows a lot of water vapor to pass through.

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Do you need gravel under concrete?

Whether you pour concrete for a walkway or patio, a strong gravel base is required to prevent the concrete from cracking and shifting. Gravel is especially important in clay soil because it doesn’t drain well, which results in water pooling under the concrete slab and slowly eroding the soil as it finally drains.

What should I put on my basement floor?

5 of the Most Durable Basement Flooring Options

  1. Luxury vinyl tile. Luxury vinyl tile, also known as LVT, comes in planks or squares.
  2. Marmoleum. We love recommending Marmoleum for basements.
  3. Ceramic or porcelain tile. Tile can be a great option for basement floors.
  4. Carpet.
  5. Concrete.

How do I fill a hole in my concrete basement floor?

  1. Use a hammer and a cold chisel to level the bottom of the hole and undercut its sides slightly so the patch can’t pop loose.
  2. Brush on a concrete bonding liquid,
  3. Mix the concrete with water and scoop some into the hole.
  4. To burnish the surface very smooth, use a steel trowel (shown) on the final few passes.

Is a dirt floor basement bad?

Those having crawl spaces with dirt floors have additional problems related to elevated humidity levels, including poor air quality, mold and mildew, dry rot, and structural damage. Eventually, local building codes began to require that all dirt crawl spaces be built with vents and a vapor barrier over the floor.

What is the cheapest way to finish a basement floor?

Cheap Basement Flooring Ideas

  1. Epoxy and Concrete Paint. Paint is generally your cheapest basement floor option.
  2. Concrete Stain and Sealer. Concrete stain is another inexpensive option.
  3. Linoleum or Vinyl.
  4. Ceramic Tile Flooring.
  5. Rubber and Foam Mats.
  6. Traditional Carpet Flooring.
  7. Laminate or Engineered Hardwood.
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Can you pour concrete directly on dirt?

Long story short, yes you can pour concrete over dirt.

What is the best finish for concrete floors?

Top Concrete Finishing Options

  • Acid Stain. An acid stain for concrete floor has a very bold look, recognizable by its mottled appearance and highly variegated finish.
  • Water-Based Stain.
  • Fast Stain.
  • Acrylic Sealer.
  • Standard Epoxy.
  • Metallic Epoxy.
  • Terrazzo or Granite Epoxy.
  • Quartz Sand Epoxy.

Can I pour a 3 inch concrete slab?

Here, pouring a concrete slab 4 inches in thickness is fine. While you may choose to reinforce it with rebar, wire mesh should be sufficient. A 3– to 4-inch slab will work for the floor of a storage or tool shed, workshop, garden shed, or playhouse.

How thick does concrete need to be to not crack?

Applied-load cracking.



In residential concrete, 4 inches is the minimum thickness for walkways and patios. Garage slabs and driveways should be 5 to 6 inches thick if any heavy truck traffic is anticipated, otherwise 4 inches is adequate.

Can you concrete over old concrete?

If the existing concrete is in good shape structurally, you can pour new concrete over it to freshen it up. Worn or cracking concrete makes your outdoor areas look drab, outdated and in need of fresh concrete. If the existing concrete is in good shape structurally, you can pour new concrete over it to freshen it up.

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