We are looking for some advice regarding a floor installation that we had carried out at our property back at the end of June that subsequently started failing at the start of September. We are unsatisfied with the explanations given and are currently at an impasse with the supplier and fitters. To give some background, we have had an extension to our property and as part of an LVT floor install the kitchen / dining area was levelled using Ultrafloor Renovate IT after priming using Ultrafloor MSP primer. The new screed was laid on top of existing screed laid 7-8 years ago over quarry tiles. LVT herringbone flooring was then glued to the new screed. Prior to levelling; no moisture testing was performed and from observations made believe only one primer coat was put down - this doesn't comply with what I believe is industry best practice or with the guidelines on the manufacturer's datasheet for the primer used. We are now seeing debonding of the new latex screed from the original subfloor with the LVT floor being pushed up as a result. The installer arranged for a representative from the manufacturer of the screed / primer to visit. That person took some photos and said they would have to consult with their technical team. After a few weeks of chasing we had a very limited report in which they say the issues have been caused by ‘a weak subfloor that is unable to take the strength of the smoothing underlayment’ and the failures seen are as a result of this. We have been provided no evidence or suitable technical explanation of how this is the case. We have had no issues with the previous laminate floor, and no issues were evident when this floor was removed during the building work, no marking, damage or loose subfloor. What we don’t know is, if this explanation is reasonable. The installation company has accepted the Instarmac explanation and will do nothing further. We are at a complete loss as to what to do. Any advice appreciated.
Is the quarry tile floor area old? Has there been a moisture test since the floor has lifted? Was the old screed exposed during the building works?
Some photos. Quarry tiles were covered with what we presume was self levelling compound over 8 years ago. They tiles must be incredibly old. We had laminate flooring and when this was removed during build there were no apparent cracks etc to subfloor. When we had our extension built there was a new screed to the new extension. Flooring fitter then put self levelling compound across whole old and new kitchen before lvt (invictus) installed. (As above) Where it's blown is in the old part of the kitchen (about 3 m2) we could hear the floor sound hollow in that part before it lifted. It doesn't sound hollow anywhere else. We are just completely at a loss as to how to sort.
The quarry tiles won’t have a damp proof membrane under them. So the LVT fitter should have put down an epoxy liquid Dpm over them. Like ardex DPM1c
Looks worse now as has lifted more. Instarmac sent a sales rep who took photos. No moisture testing. We then had a report from technical specialist who said in his opinion their product was fine and a weak subfloor caused the issue. We are at the point where our floor is covered by a rug as it's a huge trip hazard and we are massively out of pocket. We just need a floor!
So the quarrys were already covered with a screed 8yrs ago and the fitter went over the whole lot with a new screed?
They may have used a moisture tolerant levelling compound 8 years ago. Plus the laminate is floated so the floor may breath a bit more. ultra floor renovateit is not moisture tolerant so any moisture beneath would make it lift. also they make a point of stating the subfloor needs to be strong so im guessing it can shear easily. If the floor was covered in plaster, paint and general builders mess the bond will be weak. Im not a fan of instarmac levelling compounds.
Even the quarry tiles can lift. Ive literally just done a repair at our village hall. Previous contractor went over old tiles with a water based leveller and sheet vinyl. Bit of moisture got in from the back door and its blown the tiles and levelling compound. Water based levellers dont like moisture, especially when its trapped under a impervious floorcovering
