Basement Floor
There is much that you can do with your basement. If you want to reclaim your basement, then you may need to replace the concrete flooring in it. It may be some time since you took a good look at the state of your basement flooring. If you see cracks, chipping, or pieces missing, it may be a sign that the concrete was not sealed properly. And this may require you to replace it before you do any further work.
Here are some signs that your concrete basement floor needs to be replaced:
1. Beyond its expiration date
Concrete floors are tough, durable, and resilient. However, they do have an expiration date. If your surface is more than 25 years old, then it has probably reached its expiration date, and it is probably time to replace the concrete.
2. Long cracks
Minor surface cracks can be resolved with a quick repair. But if you see cracks in your basement flooring that are long and wide, then they are much too serious for a simple repair. The concrete itself must be replaced.
3. Plans for future flooring
If your plan is to install hardwood or tiled flooring on top of the concrete in your basement, then it must be levelled. The current concrete surface may not meet this criterion. It may be too structurally deficient to lay any type of flooring on. If this is the case, then you will need to replace it.
4. The floor is sinking
If large slabs of your concrete flooring are sinking, it may owe to a problem with the installation. Or, it may be the result of forces acting below the surface. Either way, you will have to replace the concrete.
The thing to keep in mind is that while repairing may seem like a less expensive option in the short term you may end up spending more money in the long-term if you do not have it replaced.
Before you make any decision about the flooring, you should contact an experienced professional and get their assessment. They are the only ones qualified to give you an honest evaluation of the state of your concrete floor. You should solicit the help of the same kinds of experts if you decide to go ahead with the replacement job. This is not the sort of thing that should be put into the hands of amateurs. You must hire people with a proven record of delivering excellent results.