A sloping floor is easy to dismiss—until it gets worse. What starts as a slight tilt can turn into misaligned walls, sticking doors, or even structural instability. Sometimes, the fix is simple. Other times, it points to a deeper issue beneath the surface. The best way to level a floor depends on what’s causing the slope. Before you tear up your floors or attempt a quick patch job, it’s important to identify the root problem and choose the right solution.
The Three Best Ways to Level Your Sloping Floor
Sloping floors can be a sign of bigger problems. If your floors are uneven, it’s important to know your options. Here are the three best ways to level your sloping floor:
- Rip it up and redo – This is a thorough fix, but it’s invasive and costly. It’s ideal if the floor joists or subfloor are in bad shape and need to be completely replaced.
- Self-levelling compound – A quick solution for minor uneven areas or low spots. It’s a cost-effective way to smooth out small dips or bumps, but it won’t solve deeper structural issues.
- Resin injection – A modern, non-invasive method where resin is injected under the floor to stabilise the ground and lift the surface back to level. It’s effective and long-lasting without the mess of major renovations.
The right choice depends on what’s causing the slope and how serious the issue is. Buildfix can assess your home and guide you to the best solution for a stable, level floor.
Why Levelling Uneven Floors Matters More Than You Think
Sloping floors can be a lot more than a simple annoyance. They often point to structural problems, like subsidence or sinking floor piers, that could be affecting the safety and stability of your home. Floors do more than provide a flat surface—they support the weight of your walls and can even play a part in holding up your roof.
Fixing sloping floors isn’t just about making the space feel right again. Whether you have wood subfloors, concrete subfloors, or tiles, the method you choose will depend on the cause of the slope. It’s important for the long-term health of your home, keeping it stable and safe for years to come. Below, we break down the three best methods to level your floor, helping you find the right solution for your situation.
1. Rip It Up and Redo: The Old-School Method
If your floor has significant slope issues, ripping it up and redoing it might seem like the most comprehensive option. This traditional method involves removing the existing flooring, addressing the subfloor or foundation issues, and rebuilding the surface.
When to Choose This Method:
- If the floor is severely damaged or worn beyond repair.
- If the structural components (joists, bearers, or concrete slab) are irreparably compromised.
How It Works:
- Timber Floors: Floorboards, often made of plywood or hardwood, are removed, and the subfloor is inspected. Sinking piers or stumps are replaced or repaired. The floor is then adjusted to proper levels using a spirit level to ensure accuracy.
- Concrete Floors: Either the slab is broken up, re-poured, and re-levelled, or metre square sections are removed. Holes are excavated and filled with concrete to underpin the floor, followed by a cement screed or underlayment to level your floor.
Pros:
- Comprehensive and permanent if done correctly.
- Addresses significant structural damage.
Cons:
- Expensive and time-consuming.
- Highly invasive and disruptive to your home. Repairs can take several weeks or months to complete.
2. Self-Levelling Compound: A Quick and Effective Fix
For uneven concrete and timber floors, using a self-levelling compound is a popular DIY solution and regularly used by tilers during renovations. This compound is poured onto the existing surface, where it spreads evenly, filling low areas and creating an even, level surface.
When to Choose This Method:
- If the slope is minor and not caused by ongoing structural issues.
- When you need a quick and budget-friendly option for levelling.
How It Works:
- Prepare the surface by cleaning and priming it. Remove any carpet, vinyl, or other flooring materials.
- Mix and pour the self-levelling compound over the floor. The compound should have a creamy consistency to ensure smooth application.
- Use a trowel or laser level to help spread the compound evenly, filling any low spots and addressing minor high spots.
- Allow it to cure before installing your choice of flooring, such as ceramic tiles, hardwood, or vinyl.
Pros:
- Quick and cost-effective.
- Minimal disruption during application.
Cons:
- Doesn’t address the root cause of the slope.
- Only suitable for minor levelling issues.
3. Resin Injection: Permanent and Non-Invasive
If you’re looking for an advanced non-invasive, permanent solution, resin injection is the way to go. This innovative method uses expanding geopolymer resin to fill voids beneath the floor in the ground, stabilising the foundation and re-levelling the surface. It works for both concrete slabs and timber subfloors with brick piers or stumps.
When to Choose This Method:
- If the slope is caused by subsidence or soil instability.
- When you want a permanent fix without invasive and expensive rebuilding.
How It Works:
- Small injection holes are drilled into the floor, targeting different areas of the subfloor.
- Resin is injected through the holes, filling voids and stabilising the foundation. The resin works by lifting the floor back to its original level, creating a level surface.
- The floor is stabilised, and the process is quick, without the need for significant construction work.
Pros:
- Solves the root cause of sloping floors.
- Non-invasive and quick to apply.
- Relevels both timber and concrete floors.
Cons:
- May not be ideal for buildings positioned on steep or heavily graded terrain.
- Not suitable for general builders; requires specialised professionals and equipment.
Which Method Is Right for You?
Choosing the best method to address a sloping floor isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision—it’s based on the cause, the severity of the slope, and the type of subfloor. Here’s a breakdown of the factors that can influence your choice:
Understanding the Cause of the Slope
The first step in deciding which method is best is identifying the underlying cause of the sloping floor. Is it due to soil movement? Sinking piers? Or perhaps uneven subfloor materials? Knowing this helps determine whether the issue is structural, cosmetic, or something that can be easily addressed. For example, if you have a wooden subfloor with high areas or low spots, it could point to issues with the subflooring itself that may require different steps to fix.
Assessing the Severity of the Issue
Minor uneven areas can be resolved quickly with a self-levelling compound, while major problems like shifting foundations may require more extensive methods, such as resin injection or rebuilding. It’s important to consider how significant the slope is—high spots and low spots can indicate deeper issues that demand a thorough fix. If you’re working with a concrete subfloor, you may need to carefully follow instructions to apply the right materials, such as primer and underlayment, before proceeding.
Type of Subfloor and Floor Material
Different methods work better with different floor types. For example, if you have timber floorboards or a wooden subfloor, the process might differ from a concrete slab. Make sure the solution you choose is compatible with your floor’s materials and structure. Some techniques, like resin injection, work well with both timber and concrete, but the preparation may vary. The tools and materials required will depend on the type of subfloor you’re working with, so ensure you have everything ready to avoid delays.
Get Expert Help for the Best Solution
Ultimately, the right solution depends on your home’s unique needs. If you’re unsure about which method is ideal, don’t risk further damage by making an uninformed decision. Buildfix’s team of experts can assess the situation, guide you on the most suitable approach, and ensure that the job is done correctly and efficiently, with the right steps followed and the proper tools used.
Fix Your Sloping Floor with Buildfix
Don’t let a sloping floor compromise your home’s safety and comfort. At Buildfix, we specialise in innovative solutions like resin injection to relevel floors and address the root causes of the problem. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
FAQs
What causes floors to slope in a home?
Floors can slope due to several factors. The most common cause is subsidence or soil instability, where the ground beneath the foundation shifts or erodes over time. Other causes include deteriorating piers or stumps, which lose their structural integrity, and uneven settling of concrete slabs. Any of these issues can lead to a misalignment in the floor, resulting in a slope. It’s crucial to identify the underlying cause in order to determine the most effective repair solution.
Is self-levelling compound a permanent solution?
While self-levelling compound can be a quick fix for minor unevenness, it is not a permanent solution for significant slope issues. This compound works by filling low areas to create a smooth surface, but it doesn’t address the root cause—whether that’s ground movement, subsidence, or structural damage. If the slope is due to underlying issues such as soil movement or foundation damage, you’ll need a more permanent repair method, such as resin injection or floor replacement.
How does resin injection fix a sloping floor?
Resin injection is a non-invasive method for re-levelling floors. Small holes are drilled into the floor, and expanding resin is injected beneath the surface, filling voids and stabilising the ground. This process lifts the floor back to its original level by correcting subsidence or soil instability beneath the floor. It works effectively on both timber and concrete subfloors, providing a long-term solution without the need for invasive construction or floor replacement.
When is full floor replacement necessary?
Full floor replacement becomes necessary when the structural components of the floor, such as the joists, bearers, or concrete slabs, are beyond repair. If these elements are severely damaged or deteriorated, they can no longer provide the support needed for a safe, level surface. In such cases, replacing the entire floor and addressing any foundation issues is the safest and most effective solution to restore stability and prevent further damage.
How can I tell which levelling method is right for my floor?
Choosing the right levelling method depends on several factors: the type of subfloor (timber, concrete, etc.), the severity of the slope, the underlying cause, and your budget. Buildfix offers expert assessments to recommend the most effective, long-term solution.
