What Is the Importance Of Floor Preparation?
If you are considering changing your flooring, then floor preparation may be indispensable. The floor preparation is extremely important to help prepare for the next flooring stage, by preventing issues such as shifting, dipping, or bulging on the floor.
As a result of the floor preparation, the material fitted or installed after it will be durable and long-lasting. They are ideal for industrial floors, where usually heavy materials and vehicles are constantly passing through, and the use of chemicals is present.
Which Floor Preparation Method Is the Best For Me?
There are a few floor surface preparation methods and each one will offer a different use and advantages. These are:
- Shot blasting: One of the most effective and efficient methods, shot blasting removes grime, laitance, and any unwanted surface material. The result may vary accordingly to the force of the blast, and the size, and adjustments of the steel pellets.
- Diamond grinding: As the name says, this method is executed by synthetic diamonds. They are used to remove more aggressive coatings on a surface as highly resistant and abrasives.
- Scarifying: Also known as floor sanding, the scarifying preparation is great to be done before painting or between coats on the floor. This process is quicker and can be used on almost any surface, be it wood, concrete, or screeds.
- Crack and Joint repairs: The cracks and joint repairs will help avoid dust and debris on the floor, as well as the exposure and failure of the flooring systems that may appear on the floor due to the exposure to weather conditions, vehicles, and even time.
Steps of a Floor Preparation
Before starting with any of the floor preparation methods, an examination of the area must be made. It is necessary to check if any previous flooring has been removed and if any remains of adhesives and debris, and then ensure these will be correctly removed.
A second examination then will be made to raise any point or dips into the floor. These will need to be removed and correctly filled, so the surface is then completely smooth and level for anything that may come after, be it painting or any installation.
The method to be used will depend on many conditions, these will include the site condition, flooring type, use of the floor, and substrate type, before and after the floor preparation; but only a floor specialist will determine which one to be used in each case.
Advantages of a Floor Preparation
There are many advantages of floor preparation, and these include:
- Planning defective surfaces, preventing bulging, warping, shifting, and dipping of the flooring
- Reducing levels to suit construction needs
- Moving bumps in the floor to achieve a given level
- Cost-effective as help you to save money by preventing future issues
- Can be done on almost any surface
- Provides durability to the material fitted after
If you would like to know more about floor preparation or if you are looking for a free, no-obligation quote, don’t hesitate to contact GM Floor Screeds. As specialists in screeding flooring, we offer a variety of flooring services throughout the Midlands and the UK.
Contact us now for more information.
