The Floor Is Uneven: It is just as important for a wood floe smooth and sound as a solid one, so examine it carefully before laying an of floorcovering. Remove any old tac unwanted nails and hammer down a Floor nails that are standing proud o boards.
If the Floor is uneven, then you h; options. The first is to lay sheets of masonite, rough-side up, over the v Floor (lay board smooth-side up onh floorcovering is recommended for I, that way). This seals any gaps and c between floorboards and improves evenness overall. It also has the ad' ling to the floor's soundproofing y. A disadvantage is that it makes it lit to get under the Floor at any future Fyou need access to pipework ing.
If the Floor is uneven, it is best to use screeding compound to level it. You can buy this either as a powder that you mix with water, or ready-mixed in a tub.
Clean the Floor thoroughly, then use a little of the compound to fill any holes and cracks. Allow these repairs to set before -you apply the screeding compound over the whole area. Simply pour the compound out on to the floor, brush or trowel out, and leave it to find its own level.See Also Concrete Floor:If a Floor shows Signs of dampness, it is important to deal with it. A minor case of rising damp might be cured by coating the Floor with a special latex waterproofing compound, but a Floor that is really damp will have to be dug up and replaced with a new concrete base, damp-proof membrane, and screed. If the damp is simply the result of moisture condensing on a cold surface, this usually clears up when the Floor covering is laid.
Bare concrete floors or securely fixed old quarry tiles can be painted with a special Flooring paint designed to stand up to rough wear and tear. But do make cert that the Floor is clean and dust free bel starting. If it is dusty, treat it in the sar way you would a solid floor, sealing it a solution of one part PVA glue to four water. If the Floor is in poor condition, however, coat it with a screeding com pound to provide a new surface.
On The Other Hand See Suitable Floor Covering:Deciding on a suitable Floor covering is not just a matter of cost and taste. You will also need to consider a number of practicalities. What is the function of the room? Who will use it and for what? How much will the Floor be used - whether at home or in a work space? The condition of the existing subfloor, and the maintenance involved?
Whether you plan to lay a new Floor covering or to make a decorative feature of an exposed floor, careful repair and preparation are vital. The Floor should be as level as possible, clean, dry, and smooth. Smoothness is important, since any projections will quickly ruin a covering.
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