PREPARE
Preparation is the most important factor in the immediate and long-term successful performance of any flooring system.
The key is to a successful flooring installation, is correct subfloor and substrate preparation. At Commercial Flooring Solutions, preparation is crucial and we take all necessary means to ensure your floor, is correctly prepared, achieving the perfect finish, so your new flooring will look great for years to come.
At Commercial Flooring Solutions, we have over 22 years of installation and sales experience and have extensive knowledge, the products to match, and the latest in machinery to achieve underlayment to suit your desired flooring product, and can prepare all types of sub-flooring and sub-strate. Not only will we prepare your floor, we also take-up and remove existing floor coverings. Below, is an example of the preparation your project may need.
Moisture can dramatically affect the appearance and reduce the longevity of floor covering products
Commercial Flooring Solutions ensures all moisture testing has been carried out according to the Australian Standards. The objective of the test is to determine whether the subfloor moisture content is suitable for the installation of floor coverings, as per the Australian Standards for textile floor coverings (AS 2455) and resilient coverings (AS 1884).
When testing concrete subfloors, wherever possible, the relative humidity in-situ probe test, in accordance with ASTM F2170, shall be carried out. The only exception to using this test is where there is in-slab heating, a security or an anti-static wiring installation, or where slabs have been treated with a penetrative moisture suppressant. In these cases the surface mounted insulated hood test, in accordance with ASTM F2420, shall be performed.
Adequate moisture testing, ensures problems can be detected before installation. Concrete subfloors shall be considered sufficiently dry when measurements taken in accordance with ASTM F2170 do not exceed the relative humidity in-situ probe test, or the Relative humidity surface mounted insulated hood test in accordance with ASTM F2420. Testing procedures for timber subfloors are carried out in accordance with AS/NZS 1080.
High alkalinity in concrete subfloors is now recognized as being a cause of failure of adhesion between floor coverings and the subfloor. Changes in the materials now used, and current technology have made this property of the subfloor a critical factor.
The objective of the test is to determine whether the subfloor pH value is suitable for the installation of resilient floor coverings. Concrete subfloors shall be considered suitable for the installation of floor covering and ancillary products when the measured pH meets the criteria of the Australian Standards, using approved apparatus and mechanically prepared procedure.
Moisture fixing is the application of compounds that stop moisture from reaching the applied floor coverings. This is used in situations where the moisture content of the substrate exceeds either the Australian Standards requirements or the floor covering manufacturer’s specifications.
The better the concrete preparation, the less levelling product is required on the floor to bring it to the required standard. Before any sort of underlayment, adhesive or floor covering can be applied onto a concrete subfloor, or substrate, the floor surface must be suitable for the specific material that will go on top. Often the only solution is to remove the surface layer or to level the substrate to a suitable consistency. Levelling starts with the grinding of the existing concrete surface.
UNDERLAYMENT
Underlayment performs the same job as underlay, but consists of a variety of smoothing compounds or cement-based levelling compounds that are cast over the top of a concrete substrate to provide a consistent, even and level surface to lay floor coverings
UNDERLAY
If a surface is rough or has other imperfections in it, and cannot be levelled, an underlay is placed in between the subfloor and the covering to provide an acceptable surface to accept floor coverings. Underlay sits on top of the subfloor and can be made from either a soft cushioning material or a board product (e.g. Masonite/plywood). When the floor covering is a carpet or other textile material, a soft underlay is used, such as sponge rubber or foam. For resilient floor coverings, a hard underlay is generally used, like hardboard, plywood, MDF or fibre cement.