Use a cleaner to remove any polish or staining from the
surface of the wood. Repair noisy boards and remove any
nails or tacks and counter screw any screws (see
Stopping creaking floorboards).
Gaps between floorboards can be filled with splints.
If the flooring is uneven and there are quite a few gaps
to plug, it is probably more expedient to cover the area
with plywood, floor-grade chipboard or floor quality hardwood
sheets. If quarry or ceramic tiles are going to be laid,
cover the floorboards with a water resistant, 12mm (9/16 inches)
thick resin-bonded plywood. Check that the underfloor
ventilation is adequate as the finished floor will be virtually
airtight. Another useful tip is to mark the floorboards
with a pen showing the layout of any pipes or electric cables
underneath. Make sure that you will not need to access any
pipes or cables being covered. Hardboard, rough side up,
covering the layout should be marked in a similar fashion.
Secure by nailing or screwing into position, avoiding pipes
or cable locations. If more than one sheet is required,
stagger their position to avoid continuous joining seams.
This will help in stopping tiles moving out of position
if there is any floor movement.
A hard-wearing, latex-based or acrylic-based compound is
suitable for levelling a timber floor as it is slightly
flexible. Check the manufacturer's recommendations before
applying to vinyl tiles. If floor is covered in cork it is absorbent and will
need priming first. Start in a corner of the room furthest
from the door and trowel outwards to an even thickness.
Keep the level horizontally even, but it is unnecessary
trying to smooth over any marks from the surface, as the
compound will seek its own level. Continue across the room
until the entire floor is covered. Although it is safe to
walk on the surface after an hour or so, the covering should
wait for a few days to allow the compound to harden.
Covering a flat floor with 3mm hardboard is an alternative
for wood block flooring or parquet floors. Check the boards
for movement by walking over them. Pack underneath if levelling
is required in places, especially at the seams. Using nails
to penetrate the hardboard completely and the floorboards
partially (to avoid penetrating any pipes or cables below),
nail the boards every 10cm apart across the whole flooring.
To complete the base, seal the floor using two coats of
either oil based or water based primer.
