Damp, uneven kitchen floor - fed up with builders!

travel_freak

Hi,

I hope someone can advise.

I've just been let down by a builder who was supposed to be digging up and relaying my kitchen floor.

The floor is old quarry tiles. Someone in the past did a very bad job of putting down levelling compound on top of these. It is all cracking up, there is a major slope in part of the floor and the floor is damp.

I'm so fed up that although I'd told myself I couldn't do this myself I now want to try as the state of the kitchen is really depressing me. I can't do anything with the rest of the kitchen until the floor is done.

I'm average at DIY but from what I've read it sounds straightforward, digging down, (but to what depth?) putting thin (?) layer of sand, rolling out damp proof membrane, insulation (not sure which type or the form this takes), then concrete on top (how thick shd concrete be?).

The things I'm worried about - what tools can I use to dig/fill/level as I'm not all that strong! Can I hire any sort of electrical digger or what tools are best/easiest to use for the digging and levelling?

How can I find out where water, gas or central heating pipes might be running under the floor first to avoid a catastrophe - or am I being stupid and they won't be under quarry tiles?

The last builder I had through the door recommended just putting down more levelling compound as I plan to tile on top. Although this would be a much easier job, I'm nervous about doing this as the existing compound effort is completely cracked and sloping and I don't want my tiled floor to start giving way - is this an option or a no-no?

Any advice will be really gratefully received.

Poppycat

I could be wrong but I think builders often use self levelling screed to level a floor down, no idea to what depth or whether ist suitable for your purpose but I seem to recall they often use it for levelling floors

Doozergirl

No expert myself on depths and thicknesses but it will need to be done according to building regualtions. If you call your Building Control department at your local council they will tell you what depths and thicknesses you need.

Kingspan (insualtion company) also have a technical helpline who can tell you what kind of insulation you will need for the job.

If you do want the job done properly for the long term then digging out is definately the way to go.

rdpro

The part that worries me is the damp - is it from underneath, or a pooling effect from the bad slope?

Underneath needs investigating - if just from the slope, I'd say manually remove all the pre-existing tiles and re-lay a screed (http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/laying_floor_tiles.htm)

sutwam

Hi

I went on a course at Ardex and they covered subfloor thicknesses etc they have a technical department which is very good and they would advice the best action for your floor

I would give them a ring Tel: +44 (0)1440 714939. and get their advice take note of what type products they advice and depths then shop around for a cheaper alternative

Good luck

wallbash

When I did my kitchen ... just to scare you!

dug down 8 inches ,
needed put down some hardcore, sand , d,p,m , insulation sheets and finally a 2 inch screed,
Better check about building regs.
Good news , unlikely to be any pipework under undisturbed old quarry tiles,

DIY job only if you are fit.
only skill is final screed,

Doozergirl

Oh, and if you're not keeping the quarry tiles then do ebay them - we made £1000 from our last lot!!