An unofficial guide to making good
MOST floor coverings do what they say on the tin today. It’s taken for granted that they will look good, perform as intended and last for years.
Some, particularly those incorporating abrasive aggregates, will soldier on for decades if properly looked after. I recently saw an installation in a busy hospital kitchen that I worked on almost 35 years ago (seems like yesterday) and there are several more to my knowledge of a similar age around the country.
However, for a floor covering to be ‘properly looked after’ it should undergo regular checks, maintenance and the implementation of a repair programme when and where necessary. If flooring has a defective area or has been damaged by heavy machinery or equipment the damage should be identified and repaired fast. If
ignored, a minor issue can quickly escalate into major, and often David Gatfield on successful repairs
costly, problem.
Effective repairs to contemporary flooring can extend its life for many years. However, a poorly carried out repair achieves nothing. This is assuming, of course, that you’re given enough time and you know how to do it. Many repairs fail quickly after completion, often due to lack of understanding by the client of how long things take and not enough time being allowed.
Sometimes repairs are trafficked or abused before adhesives have time to cure, or welding is too weak due to adhesive contamination of the joints.
If a repair incorporates a smoothing compound, it must be allowed to dry thoroughly before fixing the flooring to it; otherwise the adhesive can’t perform properly and the screed will not fully harden.
Kitchen floors are particularly challenging to repair. Normally they are dirty, greasy and often too little time is given to carry out the repair to the standard needed to contend with everyday kitchen life.
So here’s my unofficial guide to successful repairs:
1. Always cut out all loos material and remove.
2. Remove all degraded adhesive, particularly if affected by water, and allow thorough drying.
3.Degrease the area around the repair as well as the joint itself to prevent contamination entering the joint during the work.
4. If the gap is wider than a weld and you have the time, cut back the material on both sides of the existing seam to a point where the flooring is well fixed to the subfloor before setting in a new section and welding to the existing.
5. For larger repairs where a section of damaged flooring has been removed and a smoothing compound is subsequently used, never be tempted to force dry. Repairs carried out in this way will have a short life. Better wait until the screed has reached initial set before covering with ply and taping down around the edges until the next day, when the new flooring can be installed and welded properly.
Paramount to any repair success is the co-operation of the client and sufficient time to do the work to the best of your ability, so ensure you clearly state the time you need to do the job properly. Needless to say, if you rush the work even at their behest, any failures will be your fault despite your justified protestations.
So finally; learn to say no if something isn’t feasible and invest in a good pair of walking shoes - if you’re not allowed to carry out the work to the standard you know you can and should achieve, use them!
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