Which cement or concrete type??

[Nostalgikern]

I have searched on the forum for tips but can't find anything on the subject .

In the basement of my house from 1938, the plumber has chiseled channels in the cement floor to install new floor drains and drain pipes. The cement was quite thin and poured directly onto sand and stone .

The plumber has now laid a "base layer" of lightweight concrete over the new pipes, but there is now about 20-30mm missing up to the old floor edge. Apparently, it's my task to fill up the last bit of the floor :eek:.

What type of cement or concrete should I buy to get a nice and durable floor? (I don't plan on ordering a concrete truck)

 

[Stefan N]

Cement is the binder in concrete.
I would probably choose fine concrete or self-leveling compound depending a bit on the conditions.

 

[Nostalgikern]

Thanks for the quick response !

Yes, it's not entirely easy to know the difference between cement and concrete. Some bags are labeled as standard cement and others, for example, fine concrete . I don't know what conditions give advantages to a certain type.

The plumber thought that fine concrete didn't have a surface hard enough for a floor, he said while scraping with the tip of his knife on his 3-day-old fine concrete.

Is self-leveling compound as it sounds, liquid? It would work as it needs to be filled up to the old concrete edge on the floor, but maybe it needs to be shaped somewhat at the floor drain?

 

[Stefan N]

Standard cement is mixed with aggregate (sand, gravel) and water and then it becomes concrete.
As it sounds, you already have a solid base, so I would have used self-leveling compound unless you have moisture migration from the bottom slab; in that case, fine concrete is what you need.