Ripples and dips
An uneven base shows through floating vinyl and parquet like waves, and can cause the planks to move and make noise underfoot.
Floor preparation
Floor Preparation and Levelling in Riyadh — The Base That Decides How Long Your Floor Lasts
Most flooring problems that show up months later, such as ripples, swelling, noises and joins coming apart, trace back to a base that was not prepared properly. Many people are surprised that a new floor can fail because of what is under it rather than the product itself. We explain what we check, what levelling and treatment are needed before laying, and how we tell you plainly what we find. Free inspection in Riyadh.
A sound base firstWe check, then decide what is needed
Free inspectionExisting floor checked in Riyadh
Vinyl, parquet and carpetPreparation to suit each floor
We tell you what we findDefects explained before work
DailyRequests taken 7 AM – 10 PM
Why the base
Six problems that come from an unprepared base
Product quality alone is not enough. For the laying steps of each type see vinyl installation and parquet installation.
Joins coming apart
Planks that move on an unstable base can lose their joins or open gaps.
Swelling from moisture
Moisture rising from the floor harms parquet in particular, and causes distortion and odours under carpet and vinyl.
Grout lines showing
Deep tile grout lines show through thin vinyl after a time.
Poor adhesion
Dust, grease and old paint stop adhesive bonding, so a glued floor lets go.
Level differences
A different floor height between two rooms causes raised thresholds and tripping.
What we check
What we check in your floor before any quote
We check by eye, by touch and with tools, and what we concentrate on depends on the floor you want.
| Check | What we look for | What may be needed |
|---|---|---|
| Levelness | Dips or humps measured with a straightedge or level | Levelling with a suitable compound or smoothing high spots |
| Dryness and moisture | Signs of damp, stains, colour change or smell | Treat the cause first, and a barrier layer may be needed depending on the product |
| Cracks | Hairline or deep cracks | Treat cracks with a suitable material before laying |
| Old tiles | Loose or broken tiles and deep grout lines | Fix or remove, and fill the joints |
| Cleanliness and bonding | Dust, grease and old paint | Cleaning and scraping depending on the adhesive |
We follow each floor manufacturer’s limits for levelness and dryness and do not assume one figure for every product.
Steps
How we prepare the floor for laying
We move from checking to treatment to laying. To avoid measuring errors read how to measure your room.
Preparing the floor is a job in its own right even though it comes straight before laying. So we price it separately and tell you what the inspection found before we fix a final quote, so you are not surprised by an extra cost during the work. Moisture in the base is a common cause of swelling; see our guide on treating parquet swelling. After levelling comes the right underlay layer, explained in our floor underlay guide.
Checking levelness
We run a long straightedge or a measuring tool over the floor, mark dips and humps and compare them with what the maker of the chosen floor allows. Floating parquet and rigid vinyl tolerate less variation than carpet, which hides some unevenness.
Checking moisture
We look for signs of damp, and on sensitive floors such as parquet we recommend a suitable test before laying. If the moisture comes from a leak or from the slab itself we tell you the cause must be treated first, because covering moisture swells parquet and ruins the planks.
Treating the old floor
If there are old tiles under the new floor we check they are firm. Loose tiles are fixed or removed and deep grout lines are filled to avoid telegraphing through vinyl. Old carpet is lifted and the base cleaned of old adhesive as far as possible.
Levelling
A suitable levelling compound is used for dips until the floor reaches an acceptable level, then left to cure according to the product instructions before laying. If the levelling is very large or needs building work we say so and may coordinate with a contractor.
Dust and adhesive
Before laying the floor is swept and vacuumed of dust and cleaned of grease. For glued floors we follow the adhesive instructions and its drying time, then begin laying in stages.
What we tell you before starting
After the check we tell you what we found, what is needed and what is optional, and explain how each decision affects the result, the cost and the time, so you can decide clearly.
Examples
Three places where preparation shows
A bedroom
A level, dry base under parquet prevents noise and movement and protects the planks.
SPC planks
Rigid planks need a level base so their joints lock without gaps.
A herringbone pattern
Complex patterns reveal any slope in the floor, so they need more care in levelling.
Fitting
How the work runs
Inspection
We visit the site, measure the rooms and see the current floor.
Checks
We check levelness, moisture, cracks and the state of old tiles.
Findings
We tell you what we found, what is needed and the effect on the work.
Treatment and levelling
We carry out the fixing, filling and levelling that we cover and let materials cure.
Laying and handover
We lay the chosen floor on the prepared base and hand over.
Book a free inspection of your floor
Send photos of the current floor and the room sizes on WhatsApp, and we will arrange a visit in Riyadh to check the base.
Tip
What to do before the visit
Photograph the current floor close up by the walls, by the doors and around drains, and tell us about any leak, earlier damp or noises underfoot. Clear light furniture where you can to make checking easier.
Do not buy the new floor before the check if the current floor is in doubt, since the material or fitting method may change with what we find. For more, read vinyl, parquet or tiles?.
- Close-up photos of the floor
- Tell us about any earlier damp
- Do not buy before the check
Before we start
Questions we agree on
Current floor
Tile, concrete or old carpet, and its condition.
Floor wanted
Vinyl, parquet or carpet, since each has different level limits.
Damp history
Whether there has been a leak or rising damp in the place.
Timing
The date you need, since some levelling materials take time to cure.
Estimate how much you need
Estimate the floor area
Enter the length and width of the room, then send the result on WhatsApp with photos of the floor. For irregular rooms see how to measure your room.
0Area (m²)
0Suggested order (m²)
Questions about floor preparation and levelling
Do I need levelling before fitting vinyl?
It depends on how level your floor is. Rigid and floating vinyl tolerate only limited variation, so we check and tell you what is needed before the quote.
Can I lay over old tiles?
Sometimes, if the tiles are firm and level and deep grout lines are filled. We check this on inspection.
How do I know if there is damp?
Signs such as stains, colour change, smells and peeling paint, and a floor check will confirm it. If found, the cause is treated before laying.
Is parquet more sensitive to moisture than vinyl?
Usually yes, so we pay more attention to dryness before it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Does your work include major building work?
We cover what concerns preparing the floor for laying, and if major building work is needed we say so and coordinate with a contractor.
How long does levelling take?
It depends on the size and the material used, as some need time to cure before laying. We give a schedule after the check.
Can a floor defect show after fitting?
It can if it was not treated, such as ripples, noises or joins opening. That is why we check first and explain.
What should I send to get a quote?
Photos of the current floor, room sizes, the floor type wanted and any earlier damp, then we confirm the quote after the free inspection. For cost factors see vinyl prices in Riyadh.
More guides and services you may need
Floor underlay for parquet and vinyl
Underlay types (foam, cork, moisture membrane) and when you need one before laying parquet or vinyl.
Vinyl over existing tiles
When tiles can take vinyl over them and what we check before laying.
Old Carpet Removal
Lifting carpet and preparing the floor
Flooring Project Stages
The stages of a flooring project, from site visit and measuring to handover.
Renovating Old Floors
How we renovate an old floor: inspect, treat, then pick the right material.
Open Plan Kitchen and Living Flooring
How to choose one continuous floor for an open plan kitchen and living room in Riyadh: water and stain resistance, SPC vinyl, parquet or tiles.
Flooring Installation Time
What decides the time to install carpet, vinyl, parquet or artificial grass? Project…
Floor Handover Inspection
How to inspect your floor before signing for handover
Book a free inspection of your floor
Send photos of the floor and room sizes on WhatsApp and we will arrange the inspection in Riyadh.