Hi im trying to prepare my office to lay luxury click vinyl flooring planks from Wickes (like laminate flooring planks). ive read everywhere about having a level floor and I’m going to lay these over floorboards. I’ve bought some 5.5mm hardwood plywood from wickes in case I need to use these for level, however, im running a long spirit level over the floorboards and there’s max a 5mm gap in some places. Can I get away with this? Or should I not risk it and use the 5.5mm hardwood plywood? cheers
I have considered this but if I ever have to have the floor up - a pipe leaks, or something needs rewiring - wouldn't this be a bad idea?
Yeah I suppose that's a consideration although plenty of cable/pipes buried in concrete. I think, and somebody might offer a better opinion, that the 5.5 mm ply will follow the dips and humps when you screw it down so you may need to pack the worst spots. That being said 5mm isn't huge but it would still likely leave an annoying bounce.
My LVT specified 2mm/Metre allowable variation. If your 5mm dip is gradual, it should be OK I found these packers great for checking the dips and peaks Set 2 under each end of my 1.8M level to get a better indication of the peaks and dips. Slide packers under the middle of the level to find the the size of the variations. https://www.screwfix.com/p/broadfix-plastic-flat-shims-assorted-60-pcs
the box of LVF planks says: - deflections more than 5mm within 10ft/3metre radius must be levelled out with appropriate compound. - the same applies to unevenness of more than 1mm within 20cm. think I’m going to have to use levelling compound! Although, I’ve now installed the hardwood plywood so at least if I have to have it up it wont be too much of a pain. what do we reckon an appropriate levelling compound is? I’ve never done this before
Are you not within spec with your 5mm variation? I have only levelled once. A 30mm lift in some place (20+ year old concrete pad in extension settled) followed by a finishing one to sort the remaining dips. The Mapei 1210 (1 to 10mm) worked well for the final coat. Used Setcrete primer from Wickes as available in a smaller size than the Mapei. It is not truly self levelling and will need helping around. Spiked roller can help. Depends on the area to be levelled. Will need to be mixed properly. I used a flexi tub and a paddle on my Titan SDS. You don't need to do the whole room. Only the low spot(s) and feather out. Where are your low spots? Middle of the room may need levelling. Edges where you are going to have furniture probably not needed. Lots of guides on YouTube
I'm probably over-egging it on account of it being my office which I'm going to be spending a lot of time in and seeing some vids online of spongy/bouncy flooring. Anyway, I've only just seen your reply. I gave it a go earlier and found out self-levelling compound isn't actually self-levelling! A few low spots where I ran the plasterer's trowel too hard - I followed a guide which said you can do it that way. To be fair, it's not actually that bad and for a first go I'm quite impressed. Following a different guide now, I'm going to do another pour on top of this one, just in the few low spots and drag a long spirit level over it. Soon realised you have to work quick with this stuff as after about 5 minutes the texture had changed quite a bit. If the second pour on the few low spots doesn't make any difference, I reckon I'll be ok to lay the flooring anyhow, as I say, I'm just trying to get this perfect on account of being in the room a lot. Cheers Chris
Hi Chris, You can add a little extra water. About 10% but no more to aid the flow. You are probably not going to get it mill pond flat. It just needs to be flat enough for your flooring. Any lumps, edges etc will scrape with a chisel or with coarse sandpaper. Let us know how you get on
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