What other options are available to fix a 2-inch slope in a kitchen floor after using 7 bags of self-leveling?
Asked by Humberto Riojas 
8 months ago
Last Updated: May 7, 2024
I’ve got this pesky 2-inch slope in my kitchen floor that just won’t quit. I’ve tried using 7 bags of self-leveling, but it’s still not completely level. Any tips on how I can fill in this stubborn slope for good?
Head over to Home Depot and grab a bag of 90-minute patch – just remember to mix it with water! This stuff dries fast and gets super solid. How’s your floor looking now?
Grab this one, but opt for the 90 minute version as it dries a little slower. This makes it easier to work with since it won’t dry out as fast.
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Hey Joe Biden
Hey man, Facebook gave the green light so I’m gonna go ahead and send it!
Try adding some additional leveling compound
Begin the process with cement and then switch to self-leveling compound.
Really nailed it with this!
Have you thought about leveling your house?
I remember a time when I was working with a tool belt, I was brought in to fix an apartment with a significant slope in the kitchen that seemed intentional. I addressed the issue by building up the area with 2x’s that I carefully cut to level the surface. If the problem is due to settling of the building structure, you’ll need to identify the root cause first.
Just a tip – make sure to use a long straight edge while working on the floor to keep it even. What type of finish flooring are you planning to install? You might need to adjust the floor slightly to even it out, which is totally fine. Is there a low spot you’re trying to fill against?
Looks like it will require more than just 7 bags. Probably closer to 15-20.
Used crushed brick as filler once before.
I remember renovating a kitchen where there was a six inch slope over eight feet. It was on the third floor and the window was slanted downhill.
Turns out it was due to an addition with a weak foundation.
It remained like that for sixty five years until I worked on it.
Maybe using pea stone initially would have been a better choice
For slopes over 1/2″, it’s best to screw down plywood or 2×4 materials before pouring self leveler. The self leveler can be quite heavy and costly. And handling a 2″ slope is quite a challenge! So, you might want to consider jacking up, bracing, and inspecting the floor joists first. If you’re dealing with a concrete slab floor, sticking with the self leveler is the way to go. But honestly, a 2″ slope in a slab floor would be quite extreme!
Great response!
Is it possible that your foundation requires leveling?
Oh, I totally agree with this! A friend of mine had to raise her house as the ground was really soggy and soft. The cost was high.
If you continue to use leveler on the floor, it might collapse. Maybe try supporting it from underneath instead?
Hey Dawn, it’s pretty lightweight.
Even feathers stacked 2 inches high become burdensome
Only in our dreams at night after a long day… Not really otherwise.
You could have included wood and wedges before pouring the self-leveler.
Let’s address the issue causing the slope before moving forward.
Did you remember to clean and apply an adhesive promotion primer specifically designed for concrete before pouring the self-leveling concrete? Make sure to apply it between each layer for proper adhesion. The instructions for the product should mention the maximum thickness for each layer. They may also recommend adjusting the thickness of the first batch to fill in any low spots or drop-offs before priming, applying at a regular thickness, and spreading with a concrete floor squeegee to achieve a flat surface.
After using seven bags, how much slope is still present?
With that much incline, you can simply use a combination of sand and cement laid on top of combed thin set and leveled like a tile floor.
Check under the kitchen to see if there are any water leaks or drainage problems. Look for any signs of rotten wood. If the sloping is severe, it might be necessary to jack up the floor from underneath and repair any damaged wood, beams, or joists. The weight of the concrete could be causing the floor to sink further. Even if it’s a concrete slab on dirt, water drainage underneath could be eroding the soil. It’s important to address this issue first. Consider hiring a foundation expert for an inspection and estimate to lift the floor back up.
You can totally use pea gravel to add weight to the self-leveling mixture. Just make sure to spread it out evenly and mix it in thoroughly with a rake to cover all surfaces.
When the surface is significantly uneven, begin by using jacks to adjust the level. Once it’s close enough, proceed with pouring the self-leveling compound. In many cases, you can achieve a difference of only 1/2″ just by using jacks. To address particularly troublesome areas, spread the compound thinly over a distance of at least 4 feet to minimize the noticeable change in elevation.
Another issue that may arise is that the ceiling will likely be 2″ closer to the upper cabinets when you install them.
Continue with the self-leveling. We ended up using 50 bags for ours.
The floor now has a golden glow! 50x$30=$1500, that’s impressive 🤩
Definitely, but you wouldn’t know that we had to
If you plan on adding more self-leveling material, be sure to remove any excess expanding foam first. You might need to trim some drywall if the leveler will go over it.
Make sure to continue blending additional bags
Bagged self-leveling compounds can be quite costly, so opt for pre-mix concrete for areas deeper than 1/2 inch to save some money.
You’ve already consumed 7, what harm is another 7, right? LOL
Did you double check the window measurements? The floor might not even be the issue, it could be incorrect measurements during the window installation, especially if it was a DIY job.
It seems like the window was installed poorly and the drywall wasn’t cut correctly. I think you’re trying to cover up the bad measurement with extra flooring instead of replacing it with a correctly measured piece of drywall.
Also, do you know why you’re supposed to keep at least a 3/4-inch space between the foundation floor and the wall? It’s to prevent water damage and black mold in case of spills or small floods. Good luck!
The gap will be hidden with baseboard so it’s not visible. Maybe you should consider pausing the DIY project and do some research first on what you want to achieve. Watch some videos and read some books before making any permanent decisions like adding concrete! Spilling water could potentially ruin everything you’ve worked on!
When you’re laying down flooring, that’s when you should use self-leveling fill for tiles. The reason it’s not expanding is because there’s nothing for it to hold shape, like when tiling between tiles. Houses settle, so don’t worry too much about a slope. Once you tile your floor, it won’t slope anymore. Filling in that gap may have messed up the project. That space is there for tiles to go under the drywall to prevent water damage from the bottom of the drywall.
Abandon ship
Seems like you’re spreading out your pours too far apart. Oh, and that material is quite heavy, so be cautious not to add too much and stress the subfloor. I’d also investigate the root cause of the slope.
Concrete board
These shoes will definitely help solve your problem.
A 2% slope over a small area seems a bit much. Do you have a crawl space or basement below, or is it a slab foundation? If there are joists underneath, I would prioritize leveling those first.
Yeah, unless you’re lying on a table
Quikrete Dry Pack Sand Topping Mix is a good option, set up screeds and get started. It’s more cost-effective than adding more self-leveling compound.
You could stagger some pieces/sheets of subfloor and then blend the transition between those height differences. Using too much leveler might add unnecessary weight between the joists. Unless it’s a slab, but still, using too much could cause the leveling compound to sag or slump.
It’s all about stability – if you’re confident in the foundation beneath your floor, go ahead and level it. But it’s worth considering why the slope occurred and how it will affect the kitchen floor’s support
Providing the tough answer that no one likes to hear. While typical foundation settling is common, if it collapses due to animals building a den underneath or a water breach, it may become compromised over time.
Wow, are there any cracked windows or walls? If you can’t lift the house up, you can add tapered 2x on top of the joists and put in a new sub-floor. Are there any doorways to other rooms? Won’t the kitchen window show that 2″ slope when you install the counter top? You really should level the house without taking it apart…
To start, use a straight bar or pole to locate low spots in the floor. Pour concrete in those areas and smooth out the edges once dry
Why level a house slab? Hardly any are perfectly even
Many people are offering suggestions, but nobody seems to have the definitive answer. There are several potential reasons for the slope. Investigate the cause of the slope first, and then proceed from there.
Why do you ask?
Just to clarify, what I’m trying to say is, we need to figure out WHY the floor is two inches off. It’s important to identify the root cause before attempting to solve the problem.
Just do your best and fill in the rest with caulk.
2 inches???
I’ve had to handle similar situations in the past, and I must say, it’s always a challenging aspect of being a flooring installer. It’s all about applying the right layers before leveling the surface. You need to get creative and find solutions to make it work. Simply pouring self-leveler is not enough; it requires a lot of expertise in the trade, in my opinion. You really need a solution that will outlast the lifetime of the flooring installation.
Remove the tree on the other side of your house and make sure to dig out all the roots causing issues with your foundation. Haha, I have a similar problem with a large pine tree that rooted under the slab. Best of luck if I’m correct.
Why are you choosing to leave the floor structure slanted and covering up the issue with filler? For filling, you can start by placing boards where needed to ensure they are fully submerged in the leveling material. My suggestion is to identify the cause of the crooked floor beneath everything and address that first.
We attached cement boards to the concrete and then evened it out.
Make sure the house is leveled
I believe the slope will blend in well with the dry lining 😁🤪