You might want to talk to a foundation pro about why those cracks are there. Maybe it's ground movement from the drought, maybe not. There are some "stories" on concrete staining and sealing, also a few threads in the discussion forum, so try a search. Check the MSDS sheets and consult the doctor to see how you can minimize exposure.If you change your mind, do so before pulling up all the tack strips if you decide you want carpet again, as it will save you money in installation. You might also consider budget-grade laminate if cost is an issue.

I searched the discussion forums but will try the stories as well. I have three large dogs and 4 indoor/outdoor cats so carpet is just too hard to keep clean. I'm concerned that laminate floors won't hold up with the dogs running through the house and all the dirt in the country. We may just have to cover some imperfections with large rugs. Thank you!

The unlevelness that having large cracks implies will be an absolute disaster with any type of floating floor. The one firm requirement that flooring has is that the substrate has to be FLAT.

Also, acid etching for concrete stain requres using some extremely dangerous chemicals. You need to read and understand all safety requirements for working with them, and map out your route to your nearest emergency room just in case. Beter yet, Find A Pro that has the PPE already and has experience doing the job. It's NOT a DIY friendly job unless you accept crappy results readily.

Perhaps these people can give you some advice: http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/interiorfloors/

Awesome! Thanks!

I had a similar issue with cracks in my basement floor before I did anything else. I used a concrete crack filler that was compatible with staining and followed up with a little bit of patching for larger holes. Definitely best to deal with the cracks first before you move on to staining or acid etching, since the filler needs to bond well and most stains will highlight any spots you miss. For nail holes, the same filler can usually work, just make sure you smooth it out and let it fully cure before moving to the next step.

If you ever look into something more permanent for floors, there’s stuff like diamond coating that really adds durability and a better finish to the surface. Might be good to research when you get to that stage.

Lot of product change in the 11 years since this topic first came up..........................