I am finishing a basement roughly 900 sqft. The concrete slab for the most part is level, however, it does have some imperfections at some 18-20 high points (1/8" or less) and a couple of low areas. One low spot probably needs some self leveling concrete for a 1/4" dip. We are planning on installing laminate on this basement floor.

Options:

1. Install a thicker underlayment to absorb the high spots (if that's even possible)
2. Pour self leveling concrete to correct the high/low spots?
3. Grind the high spots down and maybe correct the bad dip?

I am finishing a basement roughly 900 sqft. The concrete slab for the most part is level, however, it does have some imperfections at some 18-20 high points (1/8" or less) and a couple of low areas. One low spot probably needs some self leveling concrete for a 1/4" dip. We are planning on installing laminate on this basement floor.

Options (Please see updated questions in the update section below):

1. Install a thicker underlayment to absorb the high spots (if that's even possible)
2. Pour self leveling concrete to correct the high/low spots?
3. Grind the high spots down and maybe correct the bad dip?

Update:

Here's a better picture of my basement (aka the dungeon):

The red spots are the humps, anywhere around 1/8" - 1/4". Green are dip areas.

Thanks all for the comments. It's been a busy summer with kids activities and I found sometime and made an attempt at option #3 with a Bosch 1773AK 5-Inch Concrete Surfacing Grinder.

I spent 6-7 hours in the dungeon trying to grind these damn humps down and after all the dust cleared, I don't think that I really made that much of a difference and set off my smoke alarms (yes I had the vac attached with small particle filter) and massively sore forearms.

So here's my updated question:

1. Should I attempt to rent a bigger push type concrete grinder for taking out the humps(marked red) and patch pour the low spots identified in the green above.

2. Flood the basement with SLC (self level cement) and then rent a grinder to take out any residual high spots. (very expensive, but I'm looking for the best option)

3. Throw in the towel and hire the pros to come in and take care of this.

Thanks so much.

I am finishing a basement roughly 900 sqft. The concrete slab for the most part is level, however, it does have some imperfections of around 18-20 high points (1/8" or less) and a couple of low areas, one of which probably needs some self leveling concrete (1/4" dip). We are planning on installing laminate in the basement.

Options:

a) Install a thicker underlayment to absorb the high spots (if that's even possible) b) Pour self leveling concrete to correct the high/low spots? c) Grind the high spots down and maybe correct the bad dip?

thanks!

I am finishing a basement roughly 900 sqft. The concrete slab for the most part is level, however, it does have some imperfections at some 18-20 high points (1/8" or less) and a couple of low areas. One low spot probably needs some self leveling concrete for a 1/4" dip. We are planning on installing laminate on this basement floor.

Options:

1. Install a thicker underlayment to absorb the high spots (if that's even possible)
2. Pour self leveling concrete to correct the high/low spots?
3. Grind the high spots down and maybe correct the bad dip?