Floor screeding and levelling in Twickenham and London
Alex levels and screeds uneven floors across Twickenham and London, so your new LVT, laminate, wood or herringbone floor goes down on a flat, firm base.
9.97/10 from 118 Checkatrade reviews (opens in a new tab)Screeding and levelling with Alex
Most floors are not as flat as they look. Before a new floor goes down, Alex levels or screeds the subfloor, the surface under your new floor, so it is flat, firm and ready.
That might mean levelling a subfloor before LVT, relevelling an uneven floor or screeding a kitchen floor. Send Alex photos and he'll tell you whether it needs screed or levelling compound.
Step by step
How the job runs
Check the floor
Before fitting day
Alex looks at what the floor is made of and how far out of level it is. He checks it with a long straight edge, because a floor can look flat and still show through a thin new floor.
Clear and prime
Day 1
With the room empty, loose material, old adhesive and dust are cleared away. A primer then goes on so the compound grips the floor.
Pour and level
Day 1
Self-levelling compound is mixed, poured and guided across the floor so it settles flat. Where a floor needs building up, Alex screeds it with a thicker mix instead.
Let it dry
Before the new floor
The compound needs time to set and dry. The product's instructions give the time, and it depends on depth, temperature and ventilation.
Check it is flat
Fitting day
The floor is checked again with the straight edge against the limit in your new floor's instructions. Then it is ready for fitting.
What is the difference between screed and levelling compound?
Screed is a thick mix, usually sand and cement, laid and flattened by hand to build up or repair a floor. Levelling compound is a runny mix you pour on, and it settles flat by itself.
Compound suits a sound but uneven floor and goes on in a thin layer. A screed suits a floor that needs more building up. People often say screeding when they mean levelling.
How flat does a floor need to be for a new floor?
Flat enough to meet the floor maker's instructions. Most makers give a limit for how much a floor may dip under a straight edge, so your new floor's instructions set the target.
LVT is thin and follows the base, so every bump shows. Click floors such as laminate flex at the joints over a dip, which can mean creaks and open joints. On an uneven base, a herringbone pattern can run out of line.
How long should levelling compound dry before the new floor goes down?
As long as the product's instructions say. It depends on depth, room temperature and ventilation, so there is no safe rule of thumb.
A concrete or screed floor underneath must also be dry enough for the new floor. Compound, adhesive and flooring can all fail on a damp base, and the floor maker's instructions set the limit. If the floor is new or has been damp, mention it when you get in touch.
Uneven concrete floor: levelling compound or ply boarding?
Levelling compound is right for a concrete or screed floor that is solid but uneven. It flows flat and gives a firm base for LVT, laminate, wood or herringbone.
Ply boarding suits timber floorboards better. Boards move, and compound poured over them tends to crack, so plywood sheets are screwed down across them instead. Not sure which you have? Send Alex a photo.
See ply boardingWhat affects the cost of levelling a floor?
- How far out of level the floor is, which sets the depth and amount of compound
- The size of the room
- What the floor is made of and the state it is in
- Old tiles, adhesive or loose screed that need clearing first
- Whether the floor needs a thin levelling layer or a screed
- The floor going on top, which sets how flat the base must be
Looking after it
Keep foot traffic off until the product's instructions say it is safe, and keep the room at a steady temperature with some ventilation while it dries.
Once your new floor is down, the levelled base needs no care of its own. If a bump or creak shows up later, have the floor looked at before blaming the new floor.
Mistakes to avoid
- Fitting the new floor before the compound has dried for the time its instructions give.
- Judging a floor by eye instead of checking it with a long straight edge.
- Skimming a thin layer over a badly uneven floor instead of levelling to the depth needed.
- Pouring compound over a dusty or loose floor without priming it, so it lifts later.
- Laying a new floor over a concrete or screed floor that is not dry enough.
Common questions
Screeding and levelling: common questions
What is the difference between floor screed and self-levelling compound?
Screed is a thick mix, usually sand and cement, laid by hand to build up or repair a floor. Self-levelling compound is a runny mix poured on to smooth a sound but uneven floor. Both give a flat base. Which suits you depends on how far out your floor is.
Does the floor need levelling before laying LVT?
Often, yes. LVT is thin and follows the surface under it, so bumps and dips can show through. Most makers set a limit for how flat the base must be, and your LVT's instructions give it. Send Alex a few photos and he'll tell you whether your floor needs levelling.
How long does self-levelling compound take to dry?
The product's instructions give the time. It depends on how deep the compound is, the temperature and the ventilation. Compound firm enough to walk on is not necessarily ready for a new floor, so wait for the time the instructions give before fitting anything on top.
Can you level an uneven floor made of floorboards?
For floorboards the answer is usually ply boarding, not compound. Boards move, and a rigid layer poured over them tends to crack. Plywood sheets screwed down across the boards close the gaps and stiffen the floor. Alex can look at photos and tell you which suits yours.
How long does it take to level a floor?
Pouring compound in a typical room is usually done in a day, but it then needs drying time before the new floor goes on. The product's instructions give that time. Alex plans the drying time in before fitting day.
What affects the cost of levelling a floor?
The main factors are how far out of level the floor is, the size of the room, what it is made of and what needs clearing first, such as old tiles or adhesive. The floor going on top matters too. Alex gives free estimates, and photos help him judge the job.
Free estimate
Get a free quote
Tell Alex about the job and get one clear, written price. Free, and no obligation.