How to level concrete floors

Even out your concrete floor levels and learn how to repair a cracked concrete floor with this easy-to-follow guide.

Level of difficulty

Level 2: Intermediate

What you need

• Damp hessian sacks
• Broken bricks
• Vibrating roller
• Sand
• Garden rake
• Polyethylene DPM (damp-proof membrane)
• Tamping boards
• Trowel
• Water
• Putty knife
• Cement-based filler
• Floor levelling compound

The steps to follow

1. Spread an even layer of concrete on the area. You can make concrete from broken bricks.
2. Compress the concrete with a vibrating roller.
3. Then add a layer of sand, about 50mm (2in) thick, on top of the concrete and use a garden rake to spread it evenly. Laying sand on top of the concrete also prevents sharp edges from puncturing the polyethylene DPM.
4. Cover the area with sheets of DPM and add the concrete mix.
5. Flatten the concrete mix evenly with a garden rake.
6. Use a tamping board to flatten high points and level the formwork. Add in more concrete to fill the low areas and level the area with a garden rake.
7. With a tamping board, level one end of the slab to the other.
8. Smooth the surface with a steel trowel and let the concrete set.
9. Let the floor dry for several days before doing any more work on the floor.

To repair minor cracks on concrete floors:

1. Clean the floor to remove any dust or debris.
2. Using a paint roller, seal the floor with a concrete sealer.
3. Next, using a putty knife, fill any holes or cracks with cement-based filler.
4. Rake the newly patched area with a garden rake.
5. Apply a layer of floor levelling compound.
6. Let the compound dry before you start tiling or decorating the floor.

Related articles

• How to align floors

Don't want to DIY? Get recommended flooring specialists for your home improvement job.