Many people would like to save money by doing household repairs themselves. One project you may think about tackling yourself – trying to level a floor – may not be the best do-it-yourself (DIY) project to take on. While some types of floor installation may look easier than others, leveling a floor is not one of them. What, you say? Removing old flooring and using glue to install new flooring – can’t be much simpler than that, right? Wrong. Read on.
When you’re laying a floor and have concerns about dips and slopes, it’s a headache getting it all to fit right. Enter self-leveling concrete. This is an ideal and long-lasting solution to such a problem. The one thing you should know about it is that it is not DIY. There’s no such thing as an amateur concrete floor leveler. Self-leveling concrete requires specialized training and equipment to make it work right. Hiring a floor leveling contractor is a must.
DIY CAN BE A DISASTER
The key reason a professional should do floor leveling is that you get your project done right the first time. A DIY project may be fine if the area involved is small, but when the flooring area is large, you need the tools, equipment, and expertise to ensure it gets done right. Hiring a floor leveling contractor is the best decision you can make. If the leveling is not perfect, it can be a huge nightmare to have it fixed. There is also always the possibility that, while you may think you have good aesthetics with the flooring, the floor could start to show imperfections and cracks after a few months. DIY is not advised with flooring. You need a precise and accurate floor leveling contractor.
A COMBINATION OF SCIENCE AND ART
Leveling a floor is not only about pouring concrete and making it look smooth, but a number of variables also come into play. Not only do different mixtures have very precise requirements, but different environments affect those requirements. A floor leveling contractor has the expertise to do the math responsibly so that the flooring can endure for decades.
Consider this: you need to know substrate, thickness, if it needs membrane or primer, additives, mixing time and speed, application window, curing time, bonding agent, and how the environment impacts and adjusts each of these variables. And that’s all before getting to the machine precision required to ensure the floor is truly level. Get any variable wrong, and you can be left with a mess that’s nearly impossible to get back up again.
QUALITY REALIZED
You get what you pay for in terms of quality and durability when it comes to a floor leveling contractor. Simply put, the risk is too great to embark on installing a floor without the experience and equipment that makes such a precise process so effective. Concrete floor leveling is ideal for sagging or uneven floors, as long as an expert is installing it.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A RELIABLE CONCRETE FLOORING CONTRACTOR?
The key to ensuring that your flooring turns out perfect is to find an experienced flooring contractor. Here are some things you should look for in the potential contractor you choose:
- Does he or she answer all your questions? If the person is being evasive or giving vague answers, perhaps this is not the person you want. For example, if you ask how long the leveling will take, he or she should at least provide you with an answer instead of “I do not know” or “quite a long time.
- Does the contractor work alone or work with a team? Leveling floors is a demanding and labor-intensive job that requires precision and dedication. It usually requires a team to get the job accomplished.
- What are the contractor fees? Will they include the parts and labor? The contractor should be able to give you a rough estimate of the total cost. Never get the job started without knowing the total cost of the venture.
- Does the contractor have his own tools and equipment for the job, or will he be renting them? You preferably want someone with their own tools so that there are no extra costs of rental.
- Does the contractor offer a warranty? This is a must, and you should not work with anyone who does not offer you a warranty.
- Is the contractor licensed?
- What do the online reviews say about the contractor and his business?
- How many years of experience does the contractor have?
- Finally, check online reviews and talk to others who may have previously worked with the contractor.
CONCLUSION
Hiring a floor leveling contractor can expect good quality and professional results! A good place to start is with East Coast Flooring & Interiors. They are experts at floor leveling and floor installation. Call them today at 1-954-626-8053 to get started.