Amtico in a sloping room

Discussion in 'Subfloor Preparation' started by Psukh, Jun 4, 2021.

  1. Psukh

    Psukh Member

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    Hi there,

    I posted this in the shoutbox, probably best to put it as a separate post.

    I have a small study in a fairly sturdy 1964 build, well looked after, the owners lived here from 1964 and died here, so we are the second owners. They looked after it well, there's a 1994 fitted kitchen that is so immaculate you'd think it was fitted this year.

    The study is about 2.5 metres width and length, however projecting out from the innermost walls to both outer corner walls are floorboards, which appear to be sloping downward and exposing a gradually increasing gap between the skirting and floorboards, maxing out at about 8-10mm at worst along 3 walls.

    What I want to do is lay Amtico click, or similar, possibly taking off the skirting (although I expect this will require me to either fix the slope or, if i don't fix it, put the skirting board back down at a slant itself. Alternatively I was thinking to leave the skirting on, lay the amitco as tight to the skirting as possible and put some beading or something similar flush with the skirting.

    Ideally I'd prefer to level the slope without putting any floor leveller/liquids down. But I'm minded that using ply might be impractical/difficult given how the room is sloping. And I didn't plan to look at the joists. If the floor is pretty flat, but the only problem is the slope, and if it might be too difficult to get the ply down in a way that accommodates the issue of the slope projecting gradually out to two walls, rather than from one wall to the other, would it be safe to just lay the Amtico click on the slope and either remove the skirting, cutting it so it will lay on top at the same slope, or alternatively to put beading down? Or something else?

    Any advice would be appreciated. I've done a crappy artist's rendition but it won't let me post links, so you may have to bring the following link together: h t t p s forwardslash forwardslash followed by ibb dot co/ZTqdCCR
     
  2. Paul webb

    Paul webb Well-Known Member

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    Your joists have probably rotted slightly at the end, it's quite common and probably not a serious problem, it's easier to fix it than cover up the problem from the top.
    Lift enough floorboards to access the end of the joists, check if the joists are dry and solid, then either jack up the joists one at a time (if you can't use a jack, a long pry bar will do),back up to the right height, then pack underneath with slate or plastic packers. The floor will usually lift quite easily
     
  3. Psukh

    Psukh Member

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    ok that sounds complicated. any guidance or videos anywhere that might illustrate this well? its new to me. I'd be surprised if there's rot...
     
  4. Paul webb

    Paul webb Well-Known Member

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    Might also be worth checking any air bricks round the bottom of the outside walls, just to make sure they're clear
     
  5. Psukh

    Psukh Member

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    I'm not sure I've seen any air bricks tbh. I mean I'm barely starting off here hehe. thanks for the advice though!
     
  6. Paul webb

    Paul webb Well-Known Member

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    It's actually quite easy,the hardest part of the job will probably be getting the first floorboard up,a car jack under the joist, will easily lift the joists and the rest of the floor will just lift with it,you will possibly find bits of slate under the floor ,which may have been used under the ends of the joists originally, there might be something on YouTube
     
  7. Psukh

    Psukh Member

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    i'll give it a go if i can. thank u :)
     
  8. Psukh

    Psukh Member

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    (if anyone else has any suggestions not requiring messing about with the joists i'd be keen to hear it) unless of course that is the best option.
     
  9. Psukh

    Psukh Member

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    So I got myself a little camera and put it under the floorboards, the joist has what initially i thought was liquid soaked into it sideways along the edge adjoining the wall, only it's very dark and looks oily. I'm told it might be some kind of oil to preserve the ends of the joists. It otherwise looks pretty healthy down there.
     

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