If you want to install vinyl tile or ceramic tile things get a bit trickier.
How to level a concrete floor with cement.
See below for a shopping list and tools subscribe to this old.
Fill any low spots with a cementitious leveling compound following the manufacturer s directions and allow it to dry before proceeding.
Slip shims under the low end of the 2x4 rail until it s perfectly level then use a scribing tool to transfer the unevenness of the floor onto the rail.
Typically the floor must be level and uniform within 3 16 inch every 10 feet.
Keep checking the floor with a level as you grind the concrete.
An uneven concrete floor can be unsightly as well as unsafe.
This old house general contractor tom silva shows how to resurface an uneven concrete slab.
Over time concrete floors can settle unevenly or become uneven due to cracking and moisture.
Whether you want to refinish an uneven basement floor or replace or add new flooring on top of an existing concrete floor somewhere in your home you most likely will need to level the concrete floor.
Leveling a concrete floor for tile.
Filling in gaps cracks and crevices as well as leveling uneven concrete will bring up the aesthetic and shore up the structure of the flooring.
To resurface an uneven concrete slab begin by laying a long straight 2x4 wooden rail across the concrete slab floor with one end positioned on the high point in the room.
If you plan on leveling a concrete floor you can do so with relative ease by using a leveling compound.
A dust mask will not give you enough protection.
Grinding and repairing a concrete floor can create concrete dust so be safe and wear a respirator.
Check your wood flooring manufacturer s recommendations and sand any high spots with a concrete grinder.
Installing flooring on an uneven concrete can cause buckling and loose boards after the installation.