"Thin coat" or Mud Jack Basement?

Question

We are buying a house and it is a tri level, so the bottom floor is half way under ground and has two bedrooms, both of the floors slant slightly toward the outside wall. We have heard to "thincoat" the basement floor by pouring in concrete until it levels. I was wondering if anyone can explain this process or tell me where to find out how to do it. Also I was wondering the approximate cost and if a random person with no experience could make this work. The floor wouldn't need to look finished b/c we are putting laminate flooring on top. We have heard that mudjacking is another option, so if anyone has any advice between the two or knows the cost difference, we would appreiciate any help. Thanks!!

Answer 1

That slant may be there to carry off water.
Are you SURE that basement always will by dry.
It is best to be so before leveling the floor.

Answer 2

Before you go for that laminate, you want to check to see how much moisture is moving through the current floor. Tape a big piece of alumninum foil or heavy plastic down on the floor for 24
hours, then untape and inspect.

Also, just for my own peace of mind, I'd want to know why the un-evenness. Was the floor poured this way accidentally? (and it happens). Is the floor rising? (could be water pressure from underneath, big $$$). Is the foundation sinking in that area (more $$$).

I've done a little big with "self-leveling concrete", but not much...
on a mispoured shed slab. Wasn't difficult there, but it also was a small area and didn't need a major fix, and was basically clean, sound, new concrete that just needed a good powerwashing to prepare it.
http://ardexhenry.com/PDF/ard-sdt-tech-us-e.pdf

Personally, I'd probably put in a raised subfloor and scribe the bottom of the floor joists to fit, assuming the house was sound.

And remember you need an egress window of minimum size in all bedrooms.

Answer 3

Did you have house inspected before buying? Sloping floor don't sound good. Foundation might be sinking. If you level how long will it stay level? I'd walk away if you still can.