How to prepare a subfloor for laminate flooring

By Tal | 2014-02-13
Laminate flooring is easy to install yourself, but requires a level subfloor that is free of moisture. Keep in mind that not all flat surfaces are level and that the floor may slope or consist of peaks and valleys that need to be levelled out before laminate flooring can be installed. Laminate flooring can be installed over existing tiles, but the floor needs to be level within a tolerance of 3mm per square metre.

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Use a screed such as TAL Superscreed to level the subfloor. TAL Superscreed is designed to produce a level, smooth and hard wearing floor surface prior to the fixing of floor coverings with minimum installation time. Floor coverings can be fixed after 24 hours, depending on application thickness and ambient conditions.

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Surface Preparation

  • All surface beds must have a damp proof membrane.
  • The surface must be structurally sound, clean and dry and free from all surface laitance and contaminants.
  • All holes or voids in the floor must be identified and filled with TAL Rapidfix and all ‘highs' or trowel marks must be identified and ground down.


Mixing

  • Add 20kg of TAL Superscreed to 5 litres of clean water while stirring slowly with an electric drill of 1.1kg with a mixing paddle attached.
  • The temperature of the water must be between 20 - 25°C when mixed with TAL Superscreed.
  • Mix until a smooth, lump-free paste is obtained.
  • Stir occasionally whilst in use. Do not mix up more than can be used in 20 - 30 minutes.
  • For best results use a full bag in one mix.


Application

  • Pour the mix onto the floor and spread using a 600mm extended straight edge steel trowel and work until a smooth, level surface is achieved.
  • TAL Superscreed can be applied from featheredge up to 12mm in a single operation.
  • Trowel marks and high spots can be removed with coarse sandpaper or a corundum stone when the screed is dry.
  • Allow the screed layer to dry for 3 - 4 hours at a 1 - 2mm thickness. Grind the floor down where necessary to remove all trowel marks before applying the next layer, if required.
  • The floor must be primed with a coat of TAL Floor Primer before each subsequent application of TAL Superscreed. TAL Superscreed must be applied when the TAL Floor Primer coat is touch dry. Repeat as necessary until the desired finish and level is achieved. Grind the floor down to remove any trowel marks.
  • Drying times and trafficking vary from 3 hours upwards dependant on the thickness of the application.
  • Allow the layer to dry fully before proceeding with laying floor covering or subjecting to traffic. When screeds above 3mm thickness are laid they must be allowed to dry overnight before trafficking or installing floor coverings.

 


To access the product data sheet for TAL Superscreed click here: TAL SUPERSCREED.



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