Common Reasons for Failed Commercial Floors
When it comes to choosing the flooring for your commercial property, the very last thing you want to happen to your investment is for it to go to waste just a few months after everything is installed. Most flooring problems come out a few months after the installation which can cause a huge problem, especially if you have already been running your business.
This is the reason why commercial flooring installations should only be done by trained and experienced professionals. If the installation work was done correctly the first time around, you would not have to deal with these problems along with the costly and time-consuming repair work that comes with them.
In this article, we have listed the most common reasons for commercial flooring failures. This list will help you what to look out for prior to the installation of your commercial flooring and how you can prevent them from happening.
Poorly installed flooring
Poor installation usually comes from having so-called cowboys who offer installation services at a cheap rate but does not really understand the work required or do not have the right amount of skills for the job. Bad workmanship which can be easily determined because of the gaps between tiles, poor cutting in, premature cracks, bumps, etc. can cause a huge and costly problem in the nearest future.
Lack of subfloor adhesion
There are various reasons why a lack of adhesions can occur. This includes the use of the wrong adhesive, leaving the adhesive down for too long before installation, wrong trowel use, or if the flooring is not laid properly into the adhesive. Although this can go unnoticed at first, lack of subfloor adhesion can cause major problems in the long run, among which can be seen as bubbling in marmoleum or vinyl products.
It is crucial to note that no two adhesives are the same. Each one has its own rules to follow including the working times as well as the open times that identify the amount of time you have to get the flooring in. Each adhesive also has a specific trowel to use to ensure enough adhesive is applied. Each adhesive has its technical sheet that you have to use the product correctly.
It is also important to ensure that all of the air has been pushed out from under the flooring material and that contact is made with adhesive for the entire flooring surface. Professional contractors commonly use a 68kg heavy roller that is systematically rolled up and down, back and forth over the newly installed flooring to push trapped air and create a strong and long-lasting bond between the flooring material and adhesive.
Moisture in subfloor
The presence of moisture in the subfloor is probably on top of the reasons for commercial floor failures. This problem is usually caused by the moisture present in the freshly laid concrete or comes up to the subfloor.
If the flooring is installed without proper treatment, it can cause screeds and smoothing compounds to break up and lift. This will then cause visible holes and large bubbles in the flooring.
Another major issue that could come as a result of moisture in the subfloor is adhesive not setting properly and becoming emulsified which will create a weak bond between the subfloor and flooring. Buildings that are built before the 1970s are especially prone to moisture issues. This was before legislation requiring all new properties to install damp-proof membranes has been implemented.
Before installing new flooring, contractors need to do plenty of readings using handheld hygrometers or other tools, taken from various points around the building. Different flooring materials have different moisture tolerance, but issues related to moisture are often resolved by installing a damp-proof membrane.
Flooring contraction
The expansion or contraction of newly installed flooring is also an extremely common problem with commercial floors. Often seen on LVT or laminate installations, flooring contraction occurs when the heat causes the flooring material to expand which causes it to arch at joints and pop off of the floor. The cold can also cause the flooring material to shrink and create unsightly gaps in the flooring joints.
All flooring manufacturers release their own installation instructions which should include information on how long the specific product needs to acclimatize before installation. Instructions could also include the temperature of the flooring material needs to be before and after the installation. These kinds of instructions have to be adhered to strictly to prevent flooring failures.
Quality flooring products are often manufactured with allowances for contraction and expansion. As long as the flooring is correctly installed according to the instructions, no problems should occur to the finished product. However, constant and drastic temperature changes can cause major problems to newly installed floorings.
More often than not, flooring contraction or expansion happens due to poor installation or bad workmanship. This is the reason why it is very important to hire skilled professionals who know everything about the job.
Flooring Solutions
Flooring Solutions UK are your local commercial flooring specialists who are knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced in all aspects of the job. We guarantee high-quality, long-lasting, and no-failure results for every project we carry out.
Feel free to speak to our specialists for all your commercial flooring needs.
