On Feb 9, 8:27 am, "RayV" wrote:
On Feb 8, 8:35 pm, "windyhouse" wrote:



Hi,
we are new homeowners to a 1890s house, wanting to put bamboo floors
in (which we already purchased by getting a great deal for under $2 a
square). We have jacked up the house with beams to straighten the
floors to the best, but still have some spots that are 1- 1 1/2 inch
off level. We have blown through a 120hours labor and $700 worth of
floor leveling material ($29/50lbsbag), and only have completed about
one quarter of what needs to be done. It seems like if I use masonary
cement mix it would allow for longer dry time thus longer pour time
thus equaling more productivity. i am frustrated with every
carpenter's opinion, their solutions seem to add up to thousands of
dollars. I was trying to bring the floor to at least an 1/8 inch over
a 4ft plane, and then use 1/2 inch ply because I have a bundle on
site.
I know the 1/2 inch is below spec of 3/4, is it really worth buying
the 3/4?

So is there any other product to level out the floors? If they floors
were 16 on center, it sounds like ripping them down to the beams would
have been the best way to go. But that's not an option at this point,
as we are already too far into the floor leveler project, as I am
already 1/3 done with downstairs.
Will Gypcret or some other part floor leveler/ cement mix work?
should i glue or nail the floors or drill and screw the subfloors
down?
Any information is much appreciated!

Your floor doesn't need to be level only flat (you could install it on
a ramp). Your flooring should have the specs as to how flat it needs
to be.

1/2" is no good by itself, you may be able to get by if you doubled
the 1/2" but that is a question for an architect or Georgia Pacific.
If you are putting the 1/2" on top of another subfloor that should be
fine. Again your flooring should have deflection specs for your
subflooring.

Hi,
unfortunately Georgia Pacific does not make any masonary products
anymore for the past three years, gypcrete cement etc got sold out.
the type of cracks i am receivign are expansion cracks, from the
expansion of the wood where the crete is under 1/8 thin. it is funny
that it doesn't crack or move when applied over linoleum surface, only
tung and groove (old) wood.
it's true that it doesn't have to be level, only flat but being flat
includes getting rid of some of the waves that are over an inch low.
questions i am left with:
foam in masonary mix anybody? cement mix instead of floor leveler?
anybody know the composition of floor leveler?

what about 1/2 inch subfloor under bamboo--i am afraid two inch nails
would crack any masonary product, which may still be ok, but the dust
created may not? i already have the necessary 1/2'' plywood..