New build house - bathroom floor cracked and breaking up

[flashtech]

Hello,

I'm posting here after being given some great help in the Building forum. I would really appreciate any help.

I moved in to a new build house about a year ago. Recently, I could feel the bathroom floor cracking under my feet, so I pulled back the vinyl to examine the floor underneath (3 very short video clips):

1: http://tinypic.com/r/k975uf/8
2: http://tinypic.com/r/flgfwk/8
3: http://tinypic.com/r/2jcyh3t/8

As you can see, the builders have used a Self Levelling Compound on top of the dusty, slightly uneven screed underneath, and it's this SLC that is breaking away due to the builders' poor work (thanks to Hugh Jaleak and ree on the Building forum for their help in identifying this - I know nothing about flooring!)

I took this photo when the build was finished, when I was choosing what vinyl to buy from a local carpet shop - http://i59.tinypic.com/2vb38gn.jpg - you can see the finished floor (the top layer you see is the SLC that is now cracking) and the local carpet shop simply laid the vinyl on the top when I moved in. The builders are saying that because the vinyl wasn't fitted by them, they are not responsible for the cracking floor, and they're refusing to have anything to do with it - but the problem is nothing to do with the vinyl, it's the floor underneath that's breaking up! Interestingly, the exact same thing is happening in my neighbour's house on the same development, which proves that the build quality was shoddy.

Does anyone have any ideas of how I can explain this to the builders - how can I convince them that their improper laying of the screed and SLC is what has caused the floor to break up and it's therefore their responsibility?

Thanks again!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

You need to get a bit more heavy with them. They have just fobbed you off, how can it be the fault of the fitter that the screed broke up? You need to start writing snotty letters with recorded delivery especially if your neighbour has the same problem, what has he done about it?

 

[dazlight]

I've just laid a Amtico floor or screed like that and paid the price.

1, they haven't primed the floor before screeding it with a floor primer
2, they have more then likely used a water mix which has to be primed or it doesn't stick
3, the sand an cement screed might not of been dry? It takes a screed 1mm per day to fully dry out.

Some builders don't have a clue about screeding flooring. See it all the time.