Lost $400 on a subfloor leveler I didn't actually need

Ran a bathroom reno in Boise last month and bought a self-leveling compound without checking the joists first. Turns out the floor was only off by a half inch, so I spent $400 on materials plus a full day pouring and waiting for it to cure. Then the leveler cracked right near the toilet flange because I didn't use the primer that was sold separately. The manufacturer's website buried the primer requirement in a PDF, not on the label. I could have just sistered the joists for $60 in lumber and been done in two hours. Lesson is obvious now, but I'm wondering if anyone else has fallen for the expensive fix when the cheap one was staring at them. What product duped you into overspending on a simple job?

2 comments

2 Comments

richard_anderson22d ago

Did you check the joists after pouring, or just figure the floor was done lying to you?

rowanharris22d ago

Wait, you actually poured before checking the joists? That's insane.