How to Turn a Dirt Floor Basement to a Concrete Floor
- 1). Dig out the basement so the dirt floor is at least 7 inches below the level of the door. If you plan on adding additional flooring on top of the concrete, you will need to dig deeper to allow for the flooring.
- 2). Level the dirt with a pad compacter — these can be rented from hardware and home improvement stores. Check the dirt with a level in several areas to ensure that the floor is even.
- 3). Fill in the floor with a 3-inch layer of gravel. Rake the gravel until it is relatively level, and then bring in the pad compacter again to compact the gravel. Check the gravel with the level.
- 4). Drive 12-inch lengths of #4 rebar into the floor with a sledgehammer. Create a grid by placing one length of rebar every 4 feet in every direction. Drive each length of rebar so that only 3 inches are visible above the gravel.
- 5). Cover the entire floor with concrete wire. If you need to connect multiple pieces, do so with a length of tie wire every 8 inches along the seams. Bend the wire so it lies flat on the floor.
- 6). Mix the concrete according to the manufacturer's instructions. Products vary, so it is important that you use the proper amount of water as directed by the manufacturer. Work with assistants to pour the concrete into the basement until the concrete is 1 inch above the rebar grid.
- 7). Smooth the surface of the concrete with a concrete float. These can be rented from hardware stores and home improvement stores. Drag the float across the concrete until it is perfectly smooth and level.
- 8). Let the concrete harden for at least one hour. Lay down cardboard boxes over the concrete, and try to walk on it very carefully. If it withstands your weight, move over to the far end of the room and use the concrete float to smooth the surface. If it doesn't, wait another hour and try again. Repeat this every hour for the first six hours of the curing process to ensure a smooth surface.
- 9). Allow the concrete to cure for one week before you move anything to your basement.
Source...