Tips For Replacing Flooring
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It can be tricky to decide whether to go the DIY route for your flooring replacement project or whether to hire a professional contractor. If you undertake the work yourself, here are some useful tips:
Rip up or replace over the existing floor? There are two schools of thought when it comes to replacing flooring.
One option is to simply replace over the existing flooring, or you can rip up the old floor and lay a whole new covering. Both are viable options, but your choice depends on a number of different factors including the condition of the old floor, whether you need to see what’s going on underneath the existing floor, budget and of course, personal preference.Different flooring types require different preparation.
Whether you select tiles, vinyl, wood, laminate or polished concrete, you’ll need to make sure that the preparatory work is appropriate for that new flooring type - and the same goes for the removal of any existing floor type. Depending on the type of old flooring that has to be removed, you’ll need to make sure you have the right equipment and techniques to remove the old stuff in preparation for laying a new floor.The sub-floor must be in good condition.
This doesn’t mean that the surface that you’re laying your new floor on has to be perfectly sanded and smooth, but it does mean it can’t have any bumps or lumps, no protruding nails, no big cracks or holes and no damp spots or water damage.All old adhesives must be removed.
If you’re thinking about laying a new wooden floor over an old hardwood floor which is covered with adhesive, or if there is a sticky residue from old adhesives on the sub-floor, you should be aware that these aren’t removed completely, they could show up through the new flooring.When replacing floors in wet areas, such as bathrooms and laundries, it’s better to rip up the old covering completely.
Floors can cover a host of problems and damp is one of the worst. It’s always advisable to remove old bathroom floors in order to check for any signs of leaks or water damage that were previously hidden so you can sort out the problem before laying your new flooring.Choose the right equipment for the job
Making the right equipment choices will save time, money and possibly your sanity when it comes to replacing your floors.
Whether your job requires a floor scraper, jackhammer, a 60kg walk-behind floor stripper for the fast and easy removal of vinyl, linoleum or carpet tiles or a heavy duty, self-propelled floor stripper for an industrial project - you should seek advice from an experienced concrete equipment supplier.
Larger machines are not always the answer to getting the outcomes you want - and sometimes all you need is a smaller piece of equipment with the appropriate blade or attachment. A machine with variable speed may also be right for your project - for example, slowing down a floor scraper can be very effective when it comes to removing stubborn ceramic tiles fixed with epoxy based mortar whilst in other jobs, increasing the equipment’s speed can mean getting the job done faster.
So, when it comes to replacing flooring, don’t let improper surface preparation turn your project into a lengthy job.
Discuss your needs with a specialist concrete equipment supplier like Concrete Hire so that you get it right the first time. Concrete Hire’s wide range of equipment makes short work of any concrete cleaning, preparation or finishing job and the good news is that you can hire these machines on a short or long-term basis, depending on your needs.
For more information on concrete equipment hire in Perth and for knowledgeable, professional advice on the best machine for the job, please get in touch with industry expert, Geoff at Concrete Hire on 1300 048 521 or visit www.concretehire.com.au.