The new flooring may have noticeable dips, bumps, or uneven areas, affecting both its appearance and functionality.

Improper levelling can cause the flooring material to crack, warp, peel, show uneven wear, or become damaged over time due to uneven support.

Certain flooring types, like laminate or vinyl, are particularly sensitive to sub-floor imperfections. Skipping the levelling process can lead to quicker deterioration and damage.

For some types of flooring, especially those with a click-lock system, an uneven sub-floor can compromise the structural integrity of the flooring, leading to instability and potential failure.

Poorly levelled floors can lead to inadequate adhesion of the flooring material, resulting in peeling, lifting, or delamination, which may require costly repairs or replacement.

Epoxy screed is a popular choice for floor levelling due to its durability and versatility. This method involves applying a layer of epoxy resin mixed with aggregate to create a smooth, even surface.

Epoxy screed offers several benefits:

High Durability: Resistant to wear, chemicals, and moisture, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.

Seamless Finish: Provides a continuous, smooth surface with no joints or seams.

Quick Drying: Fast curing times ensure minimal downtime for your project.

Cement screed is a traditional method used to level floors by applying a layer of cement-based mixture. This technique is often chosen for its robustness and adaptability.

Benefits of cement screed include:

Cost-Effectiveness: Generally more affordable compared to some other levelling options.

Strength: Provides a strong, durable base that supports various types of flooring.

Customisable: Can be adjusted in thickness and composition to meet specific project needs.

Diamond grinding involves using machines equipped with diamond-embedded grinding discs. These discs grind down the surface of the concrete, removing any uneven areas or surface contaminants, and leaving behind a level and clean surface.

Benefits include:

Precise Surface Smoothing: Diamond grinding precisely removes high spots, imperfections, and old coatings, resulting in a smooth surface while preserving the concrete’s structural integrity.

Enhanced Adhesion: Diamond grinding enhances the adhesion of flooring materials or coatings by creating a clean, roughened surface, reducing the risk of peeling, lifting, or delamination.

Dust Minimization: Diamond grinding equipment with vacuum systems minimizes airborne dust, creating a cleaner work environment and reducing the need for extensive clean-up, especially in indoor settings.

Concrete sub-floors can be resurfaced with rapid-set compounds. This process is typically used to patch porous areas and holes in the substrate. When applied with the appropriate cement compound, it plays a crucial role in flooring installations. It helps absorb gases released by adhesives, preventing issues such as adhesive failure or bubbling of floor coverings, especially with materials like vinyl.

Crack treatment involves honing out the cracks to remove all loose material and then bridging these cracks. This process ensures that the levelling compound does not mirror the defects caused by the settling of the concrete substrate over time.

Moisture tests are a crucial step in the substrate levelling process. Many flooring failures are directly related to unaddressed moisture issues. These problems can arise in new builds where the slab is still in the early stages of curing or due to environmental factors such as weather and or poor drainage. Conducting a moisture test is essential not only to ensure the proper preparation before applying the levelling compound but also to maintain product warranties and ensure that the correct products are used in the appropriate conditions. Having this information also lets us know if moisture barrier systems are necessary for the installation.

A floor sander or grinder is used to sand down the uneven areas, creating a smooth, level surface. This method is typically used when the sub-floor has slight variations in height.

An epoxy levelling compound specifically designed for use on timber is poured over the sub-floor. It spreads out and settles into any depressions, creating a smooth and level surface as it dries. This technique is effective for addressing moderate to severe unevenness.

Using an epoxy system is crucial to ensure that the levelling compound adheres well to the substrate despite the expansion and contraction of the wood over time. A fibre-reinforced levelling compound provides greater flexibility to accommodate movement. Additionally, maintaining the correct mix and water ratio along with having a team capable of keeping up with the product’s cure time is vital to ensure the end product is strong and suitable for the chosen flooring overlay.

Moisture tests are a crucial step in the substrate levelling process. Many flooring failures are directly related to unaddressed moisture issues. Conducting a moisture test is essential not only to ensure the proper preparation before applying the levelling compound but also to maintain product warranties and ensure that the correct products are used in the appropriate conditions. Having this information also lets us know if moisture barrier systems are necessary for the installation.

Cement screed is a traditional method used to level floors by applying a layer of cement-based mixture. This technique is often chosen for its robustness and adaptability.

Benefits of cement screed include:

Cost-Effectiveness: Generally more affordable compared to some other levelling options.

Strength: Provides a strong, durable base that supports various types of flooring.

Customisable: Can be adjusted in thickness and composition to meet specific project needs.

Timber sub-floors can be resurfaced with rapid-set compounds. This process is typically used to patch porous areas and holes in the substrate. When applied with the appropriate cement compound, it plays a crucial role in flooring installations. It helps absorb gases released by adhesives, preventing issues such as adhesive failure or bubbling of floor coverings, especially with materials like vinyl.