FLOORING, whether it’s hard surface/resilient, carpeting or vinyl, is a large capital investment on any project and when something goes wrong it can be another costly investment to repair it. We all know the old adage: fail to prepare, prepare to fail. No truer word can be said of subfloor preparation.

There are many ways a floor can fail, from adhesive failure, vinyl flooring failures, wood floor warping, coating failures, and more.

Says The Preparation Group: ‘As manufacturers of mechanical subfloor preparation equipment our focus is on the various types of mechanical subfloor preparation that can be used. Mechanical subfloor preparation tends to be the element that is overlooked in preference for chemical subfloor preparation to try and reduce costs.

‘It’s imperative we understand that the two things aren’t in competition with each other but need to be used in conjunction with each other. Floors need to be successful while adhering to best practice, giving customers confidence against prevention of floor failure.’

The Preparation Group says it continues to work closely with many material manufacturers and ‘we have forged some good relationships which have helped to raise industry standards over the years.

Through training and technical advice, we’ve seen many technical and sales representatives increase their knowledge and understanding of mechanical subfloor preparation and how it works with chemical preparation and the importance of both aspects with respect to their products. Many materials manufacture full warranties clearly state that the subfloor must be mechanically abraded before chemical preparation is laid’.

PPC is the contracting division of The Preparation Group, and prepares and profiles substrates in readiness for chemical subfloor preparation such as damp-proof membranes (DPMs) and self-levelling compounds. ‘We do that through various methods.’

A main area of soft flooring failures is the non-removal of laitance. ‘On the whole our subfloor preparations are achieved on the whole through diamond grinding. Adhesive removal can also be achieved easily with the right machine and appropriate tooling. It gives that all-important profile or key for chemical applications ensuring a good bond. However, there are various other ways to achieve this and work hand-in-hand with each other. Multi-stripping can remove many types of floorcoverings such as carpet and vinyl, but also easily lifts tiles and rubber deposits and levelling compounds.’

The Preparation Group/PPC says it’s mechanically prepared millions of sq m of subfloors. ‘Every day brings something different, obstacles to overcome and subfloors which leave a lot to be desired which present challenges of their own.

‘If you require any technical assistance regarding mechanical sub floor preparation, we can provide the right solution. The Preparation Group provides a one-stop-shop for environmentally-friendly solutions for all types of surface preparation, the manufacture of equipment, repairs servicing and maintenance of equipment, to providing the correct tooling even down to nuts and bolts.’