Floor Preparation and Levelling Derby

There are several ways to level a floor, depending on the situation and how uneven it is. One common method is a self-levelling compound, a cement-based screed that's poured over the uneven areas and levels itself out. It's the most common and effective way to level a downstairs solid floor.

Sometimes the existing flooring has to come out and a new subfloor go in, especially where there are large gaps and cracks that a screed would simply pour through. For minor defects in existing floorboards, planing them down, or laying new plywood over or instead of the boards, can be enough.

We assess the condition of your floor and choose the most appropriate method based on cost and on the new flooring going down, for the best finish at the best price.

Floor screed is a thin layer of cement-based material applied over an existing concrete or masonry floor. Its job is to give a smooth, level surface for the new floor, so the finished floor is even and free of imperfections.

The type of screed we use depends on the flooring going down, the loads it will carry and where the job is. Traditional sand and cement screed is laid and levelled by hand, suits homes and commercial premises, and conducts heat well, which makes it a good choice where underfloor heating is planned. Self-levelling screed is more fluid and spreads and levels itself, giving an even, smooth finish over larger areas without manual levelling. Fast-drying screeds cost more but can take foot traffic much sooner, often within 24 hours depending on the product, which helps when time is short.

A flat floor is especially important for ceramic tiles and laminate, which are rigid, so a very even base improves their durability and helps prevent cracking and movement.

We lay bagged screeds as part of preparing a floor for its new finish. Where an extension needs a structural screed, we can arrange a specialist screeder as part of the wider job, but we don't take on standalone structural screeding or supply screed on its own.

If a timber floor is bouncy, sagging or soft underfoot, levelling on top won't fix it, because the joists or boards themselves have failed. In those cases we lift the floor, replace or strengthen the joists that have failed, and lay a sound new subfloor before your new floor goes down. Find out more about our floor and joist replacement service in Derby.

Most jobs start with taking up what's there. For carpets, we ask you to clear the room of furniture first. We then free the carpet from the gripper strips around the edge of the room, cut it into manageable sections and lift it out, followed by the underlay. Old staples and nails are removed as we go, and gripper strips are lifted if they aren't needed or aren't fit to reuse.

Finally, the subfloor is cleaned and prepared for the new flooring we'll be fitting. It takes the right tools and a fair amount of physical effort, and it's something our team does every week.