Afternoon folks, This is my first post on the forum so go easy on me. I had Karndean and Amtico flooring fitted to a new build house by a local company back in October 2015 and I'm still having issues rectifying issues with both. The reason for this post is a fairly simple question regarding the Karndean (and possibly more specifically the sub floor preparation). The floor was a concrete floor that had been poured at least three months (probably more like six) prior to fitting the Karndean. I have areas that deviate by up to 7mm (from skirting board to floor) and when I say areas... there are numerous areas. The company say that the self-levelling screed they use will not completely level the floor and that the skirting board should be 'scribed' to match the contour. That's a bit of a nightmare because the skirting has been glued pinned and glued to the wall!!! Karndean don't issue a variance or deviation of flooring level but what is acceptable? Am I being unreasonable to expect a flat floor within a few mm? I've uploaded two photos of one particular area. An attempt has been made to use clear (!!) silicone to bridge the gap!!! Thanks in advance!
They would of been better off filling the bottom of the skirting with caulk. You would have to then paint over the filler. Why are the skirtings so far off the subfloor or were they fitted after the Karndean was fitted?
Hi and welcome. Smoothing compound is exactly that, it's not levelling compound unless the company had said they would level the floor to a degree..
Why not ask as a compromise for the flooring company to get a mastic man to come in and do it all with white sealent? that way you wouldnt have a horrible looking finish and it wont cost the flooring company much to get it resolved.
Hi Rally3 and welcome. Come across this problem a lot .In my last house I had to get the skirts scribed to the floor as the subfloor was so out of shape and it would of raised the level up to much if I'd kept screeding it. Agree with pf on seeing if they'll compromise. The subfloor is screeded to make it smooth enough to lay on as Mjfl said.
Really appreciate all the feedback. The company called it a 'self-leveling' screed when they quoted for the job - I made an assumption based on that comment in the written quotation that I'd get a floor that was within a few mm but I appreciate that this might require a hell of a lot of screed! merit - Skirting was fitted after the floor was finished. The minimum gap is 1 mm from floor to skirting but where the floor dips, the skirting looks extremely high. mjfl - Thanks for the input. As above, I made an assumption based on their description of the product they were using. pf flooring - I think asking them to caulk is going to be the best option.Is it best to use a white silicone or is caulk preferred? DM Flooring - Thanks for your input too. I'll know for next time that the skirting boards will need scribing! Or I'll know to ask them to fill the gap below the skirting to finish off the clean look. Again, thanks for all the feedback. It's been a bit torturous to get to this point. I had to get the store Manager involved to get things moving!!!
caulk if you want the gaps filled and then painted or silicone if you want a nice clean finish like you probably have around the tiles in the bathroom/kitchen, silicone cannot be painted so if you need to touch up any gloss do this first.
Out of interest who fitted the skirting as I can't understand why it's the flooring installers issue?
