Can I pour concrete in my basement?

Can I pour concrete in my basement?

Concrete is the most commonly-used material for basement floors because it is inexpensive, durable, easy to work with and versatile. Smooth concrete can be easily covered with your choice of flooring, made to look like marble or stone or even just painted.

How thick is the concrete in a basement floor?

The average thickness for a basement floor should be 4″. If you have any load bearing walls, columns, or a chimney, these areas should have footings already in place before the floor is poured.

How much weight can a concrete basement floor hold?

(We don’t worry so much about the concrete because even crappy concrete can withstand 1-2000 lbs. per square inch.) However, the soil can only withstand 1500 lbs. per square foot, unless you live in a swamp, like me.

Should I put a vapor barrier on my basement floor?

For a dry, mold-free finished basement floor, always install a vapor barrier before laying a wood subfloor or carpet pad. Any kind of persistent moisture will allow mold to get a foothold and soon ruin carpet or wood flooring. For below-grade slabs, assume that the concrete floor will get damp at some point.

Does a basement slab need rebar?

Fiberglass fiber will prevent microcracks during curing, but does not provide structural reinforcement. If you need structural reinforcement, you will need mesh or rebar. Personally, I would not pour a slab without rebar.

What is the best flooring for a concrete basement floor?

Ceramic tile is the designer’s choice, with tons of colors and styles. It’s unaffected by moisture and goes directly onto concrete that’s smooth and free of cracks. Vinyl tile and sheet flooring also goes directly over prepared concrete and will withstand even minor flooding with no ill effect.

What is the Best Flooring to put on a concrete floor?

The best wood flooring on concrete should have a vapor barrier and a wood or plywood sub-floor on concrete for fixing the wood flooring. Installing wood flooring on concrete at ground or above ground level is comparatively easier with right type of sub floors and vapor retarders.

Can You pour concrete over existing concrete?

The key to successfully pouring concrete over an existing concrete surface is to ensure the two layers bond properly. Even though concrete is strong and forms a hard structure, there’s nothing in it that helps it stick to old concrete. A commercial bonding agent helps with that.

What kind of paint to use on cement basement floor?

Waterproofing; Epoxy paints are the best choice for concrete basement floors. Basements are notorious for having moisture. Latex-based paints can not withstand moisture. Epoxy paint seep into the concrete and providing a barrier to moisture.

Can cocrete be poured over pavers?

The answer is, yes you can , provided that the conditions are right. Here are a few critical things to keep in mind: Condition of Existing Concrete: Any concrete slab that will be overlaid with pavers must be structurally sound with no evidence of cracking or deterioration.