i can't see a higher strength screed on top of low strength cracking first over such a short time.the lower strength will go first.agree all old floor coverings need to be removed and could be a possible cause but again I'd think more like 2/3 months down the line not this soon.
I don't actually agree that the customer is right to request the floor to be levelled once the smoothing underlayment has been installed. Yes, the fitter should have educated the customer about how a room can be 'out' level wise from one side of the room to the other, and levelling the floor is extra work. Karndean and British Standards recommend the floor is flat and smooth, not level.
I wasn't educated, the floor is not flat so karndean's standards have been breached. ... What do you recommennd I do?
Customer is king ! If you weren't given the right info & advice your well within your rights to ask for the floor to be leveled after the floor was screeded ! If you where my customer that would have been part of the decision before I gave you a quote !
Only thing I'd say about the old smooth and level argument is that it all depends how you word it, I will never tell someone I will give them a level floor but will give them a floor as smooth as glass, As if you do they will expect a billiard table, I gaurentee smooth and will build up low points where needed, unless a customer is willing to pay for a 9mm water based coat that is then you could almost get a perfect floor level wise.
I agree mate but I sure like me you would go through this with the client which doesn't seem to have happened in this case ?
I'd make a point of mentioning it, a little harder when the carpet is still down but still pick up able before your first coat goes down and can get some more material whilst the low point drys. Poor communication and obviously not checking the floor with a level although I'd say a 14mm drop should be seen by eye and felt by foot by a fitter really.
Not once did the shop owner say that they would check the floor level before commencing any work. It was me that stopped the work after the first screed to say the floor was just uneven... A bulge in the middle of the lounge sloping off to each end. I had to use a Table tennis ball which rolled away to make the point. Even then the shop owner tried to make out it wouldd be fine and many floors are uneven. I think then I sussed he was more keen on finishing the job on time so he could get paid! ... Thanks again for every one's input on this, I'm not looking forward to tomorrow to sort this out :-\
Classic level test a table tennis ball or a golf ball I still do that now before I lay safety floor in a wet room to insure water doesn't run under the door & away from the drain ! Anyway from what you've said & the pic I've seen I wouldn't accept it & as for a buldge in the floor after its been screeded we'll it won't be fine ? The floor needs to be flat & smooth at the very least as any imperfections at all will show through the finished floor especially if any natural light from windows shines across the floor you will see every thing that is underneath through the Karndean its only between 2-3mm thick depending on which range you've chosen & as I said before your flooring is & will only look as good as what is underneath !
Yes agreed!.....the bulge was there before they started anything so would have hoped they would have noticed it before commencing work. Feel very low about the whole thing.... just put too much trust in the people who I thought would just do a good job without me pointing out pretty obvious things. Dreading what will have to happen now but thanks for your input!! Off to get some Zzzz's now
Here are some more pics.... one showing a spirit level where at each end it's level but in the middle there's a sag (4mm sag) ..... I though Karndean had to be flat otherwise it will initially stick to the contours of the floor but may lift in time? Again surely it needs to be flat (albeit maybe not precisely level from one end of the room to another? Fitter & Shop owner can't make it today , in fact not until Wednesday which wass the one day he had to finish the job.... what a mess,,, what should I do... get another Karndean store to look at it? Thanks.
Should be like glass really flat as a pancake, the levelness isn't really an issue unless it is to you
As above ! Is the middle pic a crack or the cable from your hoover or something ? The man from the shop probably wants the fitter to be there when he goes to have a look & as for asking another shop they probably won't be interested unless you want them to do the work but you've already got your flooring so theres not really anything in it for them ?
It's the crack not a cable! They're looking at possibly lifting the cracked bits of the 2nd layer of screed in the lounge and replacing it.... Ie not taking up the initial layer and leaving the built up layer in the hall which seems fine. Now know the 2nd layer in the lounge which is cracking was screedmaster speed and the 2nd layer in the hall which is fine was screedmaster 2 ultimate. He did the lounge first then ran out of the speed and moved onto the sm2. Is what they're planning possible? Will the initial layer be ok? Thanks.
