Q: We wanted to lay a hardwood floor in the living room of our old cottage, but when we took up the old carpet we found that there was an uneven concrete floor. What is the best way to sort this?
A. If you are going to lay anything over a concrete floor you need to be sure that it is not damp which will rise up into your new floor. If the moisture level is too high then you will need to fit a moisture barrier if you are inexperienced you may want to take advice on how to do this. It is not difficult to cure an uneven floor by using s self-levelling compound. These are cement material modified with polymers that you purchase in powder form. Most contain plasticisers so that when mixed into a runny paste with water the compound will flow smoothly and not shrink or crack. If you have big holes to fill it is better to use ordinary sand and cement – you can get a small ready mix bag at the hardware shop or DIY store. With new cement you are better to use a primer before you use the self-levelling compound as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Start at the point furthest away from the door and work backwards towards the door. Leave the floor the recommended time to dry before trying to lay the flooring on top.