Subfloor Preparation
Subfloor Assessments
The pinnacle of any flooring project is meticulous subfloor preparation. We consistently emphasise this to our clients, as neglecting proper preparation directly impacts the final product’s appearance, durability, and warranty coverage.
Ensuring that your subfloor is prepared correctly is a wise investment that yields long-term benefits. A correctly prepared subfloor will ensure that your chosen product performs optimally according to the manufacturer’s specifications, lasts for many years, and maintains its visual appeal.
Subfloor preparation is a vital aspect of any flooring project, and its inclusion in costings is unavoidable. The specific subfloor requirements for each project vary, and these assessments are conducted on a project-by-project basis. For instance, certain flooring products, such as carpets, are much more adaptable to subfloor conditions compared to resilient or wood floors.
Subfloor Evaluation
We conduct thorough subfloor inspections to ascertain structural integrity, smoothness, and moisture content. Subsequently, we can provide quotes and solutions, such as subfloor cleaning using mechanical grinding and scraping to remove any laitance, loose debris or contaminants.
Removing Existing Flooring
We can quote to remove all existing flooring and dispose of it responsibly, ensuring that it is diverted from landfills to the furthest extent possible.
Get in TouchMoisture/Damp Evaluation
Rising damp and residual construction moisture that is not managed can severely damage flooring installations and potentially render them unusable. This occurs because moisture attacks adhesives and seeps into floorcoverings, causing gaps, warping, bubbling, and tenting. Remarkably, it remains the primary cause of floor failures to this day.
During all flooring installations, we conduct moisture/damp testing using a calibrated digital hygrometer to measure the relative humidity (RH) levels. If the RH levels exceed 75%, and the installation involves a resilient type of flooring, we will quote for a moisture management system.
This involves the application of a liquid waterproof surface membrane system that will create a barrier between the subfloor and the installed product, preventing excess moisture. Products are available today that will isolate excess subfloor moisture to RH values of up to 98% with just one application and fully cure in as little as three hours.
Priming
When the steps to ensure that the subfloor is sound, smooth and dry are complete and any required moisture management system has been put in place, in most cases it is then essential that we apply a prime.
This promotes optimum performance of the smoothing compound, and when used over absorbent floors such as concrete, prevents moisture been drawn down from the smoothing compound alleviating issues such as premature drying resulting in floor failure. Priming also prevents pinholes and blisters caused by the slow escape of air from absorbent surfaces as the smoothing compound cures.
Get in TouchSmoothing Compound / Screeding
The finale of the subfloor preparation process. We will specify and quote a suitable smoothing compound (also known as screed) based on the job requirements. The application of a heavy duty smoothing compound with excellent self smoothing properties will be used to create a perfect base ready for installation of floorcoverings.
This is usually laid at a thickness of 2-3mm and will create a uniform smooth surface over which floorcoverings can be installed. For timber subfloors we will specify and quote a suitable solution such as ply-boarding.
When working over plywood or steel subfloors we will also recommend and quote for a fibre-reinforced smoothing compound as these are better able to accommodate the movement that is synonymous with these kinds of subfloor.
Subfloor Specialists
For those tighter timescales, we can also utilise faster drying smoothing compounds that can be walked on after just 30 minutes and are ready to receive floorcoverings in as little as 45 minutes after application.
We are also able to utilise specialist smoothing compounds that can be applied over old adhesive residues without the requirement for priming and negating the requirement for mechanical preparation. Whilst these products do carry a premium, they save valuable time but doesn’t compromise the finish.
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