[ccampos1]

The area of concrete is 15' by 30'. Around the center of the slap are areas that have large humps that go about 1" above what should be the leveled surface and areas that have large dips (not to worried about them). It feels and looks noticeably unleveled as you walk on it. I have also done the test, placed a ball on the surface and the ball will roll in every direction and will not be still. I will be enclosing this area in the near future and will put ceramic tile on it. Is there a way to level the surface? Ray

[Questionshelp]

I find what works great is concrete patching compound. We us it on most jobs.

[ballengerb1]

You can grind off those few big bumps. Consider using Ditra as your subfloor since ceramic should not be attached directly to a concrete floor. Schluter-DITRA - Schluter-Systems This stuff works great because you set it on the concrete with thinset and you can level the floor quite a bit. Then, when you set your ceramic on top you can bring the surface to near perfection. Ceramic used to be thinsetted to concrete floor but all concrete cracks eventually, ceramic does not like cracks.

[marmolindo]

Hello Ccampos1

It looks like you have quite a project in your hands. I can thinks of two options. One is to clean the concrete with a concrete cleaner (acidic) to open the pores, you may have to agitate with a buffer fitted with a concrete preping wire brush and pour self leveling until the surface is level to your satisfaction. Most levelers can be poured in layers so read the instructions. It is very good idea to apply a water proofing/isolation barrier on the leveled floor in preparation to the tile installation.

Second is to rent a concrete grinder from a rental place and remove all the highs first and follow the steps above for completion.

Isolation/moisture barriers are a must over grade concrete since concrete tend to crack and tile does not like it.

[ballengerb1]

Good suggestion, and yes concrete cracks, always cracks. That's why I recommended Ditra, it makes a slight slip connection with the concrete. Ditra can swallow a crack up to 1/8".

[marmolindo]

Good suggestion, and yes concrete cracks, always cracks. Thats why I recommended Ditra, it makes a slight slip connection with the concrete. Ditra can swallow a crack up to 1/8".

Thanks very much ballenger. If you have any questions on natural stone restoration, please give a ring.

[cgregory67]

Dips are easy to fill, the hump has to go and there are some nice suggestions here. Depending on size of raised area, I would bust up the concrete and mortar it level. For the dips I would use Thinset to level those off.

[marmolindo]

Great commetnt cgregory67. No mater what the home owner does. He/she will have to remove the humps, clean the dips and fill with a leveler.

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