Wooden floor going down - how to level the fireplace

[aberdeeneuan]

Hi all,

We've got our wooden floor coming next week and I need to sort out the fireplace. We took the old one out and have boxed and patched the walls in so that we essentially have an alcove where the fireplace used to be, and the intention is to run the floor into it, and keep wine on it (it's in the dining room).

The bit where we took the old hearth out has a concrete base, and the rest of the floor is wooden boards. So I need to level the old concrete base so it's all flat as it's currently pitted and very uneven. So, what's the best way of doing this? As i see it I have two options - latex or concrete, but never having done either I'm looking for some advice!

[robsartain]

I did mine the other day. The concrete was cracked and broken so I knocked off any high points and just used ready mix concrete. The just add water stuff as its only a small area.

I must admit we only wanted it level so we could then put some nice black tiles down, and it looks like a good job.

I know you can buy the self leveling compound stuff as well but I have never used it. Im sure someone will be along to tell you the right way

[dtmpower]

self levelling top screed is what you need..

[Roy E6]

dtmpower said:

self levelling top screed is what you need..

^^^^ Latex self levelling compound is your friend here.

[thehos]

yep latex, up to about 3mm, over that, with some of them you can add sand to the mix, takes it up to about 10-15mm then, over that then you need sand and cement.
I would pva it first though, also make sure your hearth is on a dpc, if not then you need to put one in

[Four Cofffee]

I bought a slate hearth and bedded it on the old concrete, then put the floor back around it.. No exactkly what you wanted I know but it looks great.

[tom_loughlin]

Hi,
Whereabouts in the country are you? I have seven bags of lates self-levelling compound that I bought and don't need any more. I think they are 23kg bags - so postage wouldn't really be an option

[aberdeeneuan]

tom_loughlin said:

Hi,
Whereabouts in the country are you? I have seven bags of lates self-levelling compound that I bought and don't need any more. I think they are 23kg bags - so postage wouldn't really be an option

I'm in the Midlands, but I've already bought and laid the stuff but thanks for the offer. Seven bags, that must have been a big job if you have that much left!

Looks ok so far, though I ran out and the suppliers is shut till Tuesday which is a bit annoying. Easy to use stuff though, thanks for all your advice!