Basement cement keeps cracking??!!

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Author Message   margu Citizen Username: Margu Post Number: 44 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 12:32 pm:        We just had our basement completely redone and the contractor suggested a new cement floor to level the existing floor and to best lay tiles. However, the cement he puts down keeps cracking and in some places to the point that the floor moves. He said that he's never had this problem before but continues to patch and it continues to crack. What could the problem be. Any suggestions??   darrensager Citizen Username: Darrensager Post Number: 338 Registered: 11-2001 Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 9:04 am:        And it will continue to crack if you don't solve the actual problem. It sounds like he didn't remove the old floor and just skim coated the existing floor. If this is the case, and he's confused as to why it keeps cracking, he sounds like an incompetant contractor. If you want your floor to resist cracking completely rip out the existing floor and put down a good base underneath it. Make sure its at least 4-6 inches and fully compacted and 6 inch welded wire mesh before you put the concrete down. As you're putting the concrete in use a sturdy rake (not a leaf rake) to pull the wire mesh up into the concrete a little bit. There are all different types of concrete and if you're extra concerned with cracks then get the type that is reinforced with glass fibers. This type is stronger and resists cracking. If you continue to put concrete on top of your old floor, and underneath that is an old pile of leaves, be prepared to never have a sturdy floor to walk on. Put a concrete floor in the right way and you can drive a tank across it without issues.   Soda Supporter Username: Soda Post Number: 3572 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 11:05 am:        Is your house by some chance built over a graveyard??? -s.   MARSHALL Citizen Username: Smoked_ribs Post Number: 52 Registered: 7-2003 Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 9:13 pm:        Margu, Do you have a sump pump? Somtimes the water pressure under the house can cause the floor to crack.