Leveling Out A Flagstone Floor To Install Hardwood

CharlieGE

how, or rather what would you recommend to use to level out a flagstone floor, so that I can lay bamboo flooring on top of it?
the differences in height are from 1/4'' to 1''.
Is there a thinset of some sort that would hold up well?
any ideas would be helpful

Double-A

You have a floor, that is irregular over a range of 3/4"? How did that ever meet code? Now, you're gonna fill over this, up to the 1" mark, so your threshold if on the low end can go up 3/4", then set a substrate on top of it, so you can glue/nail another floor on top of it?

In other words, you're going to add another 3/4"-2" of floor height difference to an already bad situation? Or am I missing something here?

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

Teetorbilt

Charlie, you've got a problem.

I'd pick up the flagstone and save for a future project. See what is left over and go from there.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

erik edlund

Charlie,

I definitely agree with AA and Teetor; don't make this project more difficult. Pull the flagstone, clean to the subfloor and do your lay-in the RIGHT way- you'll feel better, and so will your client. Maybe you can talk the client into applying the flagstone "$omewhere el$e".

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Kind regards,

Erik D. Edlund

PrecisionFloors

Yeah I agree as well....if for some odd reason you must leave it down SLC is your best way. Ardex K-15 is the Caddillac of self levelers....mix it EXACTLY as instructed and wait at least 16 hours after you pour to apply flooring.

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Donedat

"When it doubt, cut it out." It is always better to go down to the original subfloor when ever possible. Makes for a better floor all around.

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I admit...I don't know everything...but don't tell my kids I told you.

Double-A

I think we scared poor CharlieGE off.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

CharlieGE

The flagstone floor was in a florida/jalousy room, like a summer room, it was converted into an allseason room, if we tear up the floor we will be hitting dirt, my thought was to level it off, with a solid floor leveler, and then to tie in my subfloor, then install the flooring.
If this makes sense to you guys, then what would you use for the leveler. hows the ardex, that was mentioned?
Thanks

Double-A

Charlie, two things come to mind.

If you just level the floor, will you create an uneven threshold situation with the substrate and finish flooring?

If you don't bust up the floor, how are you going to keep moisture out of the new floor? You need some sort of vapor barrier.

If you just level it, put down a vapor barrier, then your substrate and finish floor, you're trapping that moisture in the mortar and setting compound and I'd be worried about it deteriorating and failing or condensing and puddling/pooling under/in the mortar and finding its way out at the walls/edge of your vapor barrier and ruining the floor there.

Maybe I'm all wet.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

Donedat

Break it out...this is a great opportunity to do the right thing. Don't fear the dirt, just poor a new concrete floor complete with insulation and moisture barrier, let it cure, then do what ever floor you want.

__________________
I admit...I don't know everything...but don't tell my kids I told you.