Getting new vinyl flooring for your home can be really exciting and you may be eager to get the planks down as soon as they are delivered to your house, but it is important to be patient and not rip open the boxes straight away, as there is a lot of preparation work that needs to be done first.
By getting everything ready, homeowners can be sure their new floor will fit properly, the finish will be perfect, and it will last as long as possible.
Here is a short guide on what preparation needs to be done before you can lay down your new floor.
Remove the existing floor
First things first, you need to remove the existing floor. This will involve stripping the carpet, pulling up tiles or lifting up lino, and making sure to remove any flooring trims, carpet grippers, and other debris from the floor, so it can be a blank canvas.
Investigate the subflooring
The next stage involves investigating the state of the subflooring. You need to see whether there are any cracks, holes or areas of unevenness, as these will have to be sorted before laying down the new floor.
Without doing this, there will be dips and bumps in your new floor, which will not only be uncomfortable underfoot, but could also cause the floor to deteriorate more quickly.
These blemishes can be repaired with either diamond blasting, shot blasting, or patching with leveling compounds.
Diamond or sand blasting involves using coal slag, which is an abrasive that removes top surface materials and smooths it down. Shot blasting is similar but shoots out grains at a fast speed for greater effect. This is a better option for really stubborn materials that are difficult to remove and need a strong force.
Alternatively, if the floor is uneven, you could patch it with levelling compounds, which will make the surface much smoother.
Or you might need to grind and fill the floor to create a more even layer before applying a moisture barrier, as this will stop damp from rising up from the ground and causing damage to the material.
This is particularly important on concrete subfloors, as dampness can cause problems like mould, rotting and de-shaping the floor.
The barrier protects the floor by stopping moisture from travelling through from the subfloor, which means it will look better for longer.
By making sure the subfloor is treated, smoothed and repaired properly, this will not only extend the lifespan of the flooring, but it will make it easier for the screed to adhere to the subfloor.
Underfloor heating
More and more families are opting for underfloor heating these days, thanks to its space-saving and energy-efficient benefits.
As uHeat reveals, there are lots of advantages to having underfloor heating, which is why it is becoming a popular option, particularly in open-plan kitchen-diners.
These include not having to install radiators, which take up valuable wall space, creating a more streamlined look. It also reduces the risk of burning for children and the elderly, as there are no heaters that could cause burns when in close proximity to the skin.
Underfloor heating is also energy-efficient, as a consistent and even level of warmth is maintained. As it is not just the air around the radiator that is heated but the entire room, this means the temperature does not need to be as high and heat loss can be minimised.
Therefore, they can operate on a lower temperature, helping households to reduce their energy consumption and, subsequently, their heating bills.
They are also easy to maintain, cut down on airborne dust, and provide a more even heat distribution in the room.
Screeding
Whether homeowners choose underfloor heating or not, they should get their subfloor screeded, which is the application of a mixture that consists of cement, sand and water on the subfloor.
A layer is spread evenly across the subfloor and compacted so air pockets are removed. This creates a really smooth floor and, once it has dried properly, the final floor can be fitted.
