Product category:
Floors
News Release from: Degafloor | Subject: Unethical quoting
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 02 December 2005
Degafloor warns of unethical quoting
Degafloor, a specialist supplier of resin flooring solutions, is warning specifiers to be wary of hidden charges from flooring companies, which are not specifically detailed in the original quote.
James Wright, commercial director of Degafloor, a specialist supplier of resin flooring solutions, is warning specifiers to be wary of hidden charges from flooring companies, which are not specifically detailed in the original quote When quoting, flooring companies should be asked to state the sub floor conditions on which their quotation is based
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 18 Jan 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Too often a low initial price is later 'hiked up' because the sub floor has a moisture reading that will not allow the recommended flooring system to be installed.
Often, the solution offered is to overlay the sub floor with what is described as a 'surface Damp Proof Membrane' (DPM) which in reality, is no more than a moisture barrier between the sub floor and surface floor finish.
This is, of course, supplied as an additional item, often at significant cost.
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However, installing a surface moisture barrier can never be totally effective in preventing moisture rising.
A true damp-proof membrane is positioned within the substrate to create sufficient mass above the membrane to handle the full range of moisture conditions and any resulting hydrostatic pressure.
Significant hydrostatic pressure in a substrate without a true DPM can de- laminate a surface coating regardless of type.
Therefore, the only true way to guarantee that rising moisture will not create floor finish failure is to install a true structural DPM.
If a true DPM does not exist and cannot be installed, then consideration should be given to alternative solutions which will not greatly affect the cost.
For example, Degafloor systems use a deep penetrating primer to create a totally impervious base onto which a full resin system can then be applied.
Any existing surface moisture is handled by force drying and the addition of an additive to the primer, all of which has negligible, if any cost impact to the customer.
We at Degafloor believe that contractors should be ethical when quoting and always detail any potential extra costs, so that clients can make properly informed decisions.
My advice to companies looking to replace their flooring is to check whether a damp proof membrane is already in place, and to always get a second opinion if a flooring company quotes for a surface DPM.
It may be that this 'moisture barrier' is only required because the system quoted cannot bond to a damp screed without it - and in certain circumstances, it may not be required at all!.
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