Uneven hearth

[Zunaed Ahmed]

Hi all long time lurker. Currently in the middle of laying down laminate in house that we've recently purchased. Old chimney breast has been taken out from front room which is on a wooden subfloor.

I have chiseled away at the hearth as it was protruding beyond the level of floorboards and I am left with the attached picture.

Loads of conflicting info out there so would just like to know people's thoughts on

1. what's the best way to fill and level this area. Novice here when it comes to flooring never done this before. Someone reccomend Wickes rapid set ready mixed cement and just fill back up slowly. L

2. Do I need to DPC?

Apologies in advance if I don't follow first time around !

Thanks

 

[Zunaed Ahmed]

Anybody?

 

[Lower]

How deep is it? You could use a piece of plywood of the right thickness, you could use self leveling latex or you could you a thin sand/cement screed.

I would put a piece of DPM over the top of the hearth before you put the laminate down. There probably won't be one under the hearth. In a perfect world you'd dig up the hearth and put a DPM under it but unless you already have damp problems around the base of the chimney breast you'll probably be ok.

 

[JohnD]

on a wooden subfloor.

do you mean the concrete is supported by the joists? If so, break it up and dig it out.

If you mean it is standing on the ground, and raised up between the joists, also dig it out. This is a better job. As a minimum dig it out so it is below floor level and you can ply over it, but it will be better if you dig it out enough so it is not touching the joists. If they stand on it, dig it out and reinstate with DPC under the wood.