The commercial flooring industry is full of companies that have been around for decades. These companies have the experience and knowledge necessary to do the job right. They know what materials are best for a specific application and how to apply them properly. However, there are also many fly-by-night operations that don't have the training or expertise needed to complete even the most basic jobs. So how can you tell which company is right for your project?
Letting moisture infiltrate the substrate
Commercial flooring companies often let moisture infiltrate the substrate.
This can cause serious damage to the flooring, including:
Warping and buckling, which are common in plywood subfloors that are not properly sealed. Water can seep into the wood, resulting in warping and eventually cracking.
Corrosion of metal fasteners such as nails and screws. If moisture gets between these metals and their corresponding materials—plywood or particle board—they will corrode, causing further damage over time.
Rotting of softwoods due to water penetration into the substrate, which can lead to long-term structural issues such as rotting floor joists underneath floors or subfloors. Softwoods are susceptible because they have open pores that allow for easy infiltration by water; hardwoods tend to be better at sealing those spaces off from outside elements like rainwater runoff or sprinkler water from above-ground lawns/gardens irrigated via overhead sprinklers during rainy seasons (which is why we recommend hardwood floors over softwood ones).
Not testing for moisture
Don't forget to test for moisture. This can be done by using a moisture meter or simply digging down about 6 inches and inserting a screwdriver into the concrete. If it's damp or wet, then there is likely a problem with your subflooring.
You may also want to consider treating any moisture you find in your flooring system with a product called an elastomeric waterproofer, which will help prevent further water saturation in your floors. You can also use specialty adhesives that are designed specifically for commercial flooring projects like ours here at Floor Coverings International (FCI).
The good news is that once you've found and treated any existing problems with moisture in your new commercial flooring installation, then we'll go ahead and install additional protection against future issues due to humidity levels caused by hot steam pipes or other sources of heat from above ground level--all free-of-charge!
Using flawed slab preparation strategies
Use a concrete-screed. A concrete screed is a special tool that's used to level out and smooth the surface of your slab. It has a long handle with a concave blade at the end, which can go deeper into the concrete than your trowel can, making it more effective at getting rid of bumps and lumps in your flooring material.
Use a concrete-leveler. There are many ways to get rid of uneven spots on your slab—a lot depends on how big or small they are, how high off the floor they are standing (sometimes you just want them smoothed out), what kind of material you're using for flooring, etc.—but one technique I highly recommend is using a concrete leveling compound when you're ready for installation day! This is essentially wet sand mixed with chemicals that helps even out any areas where there may be bumps or dips in your slab before installing new floors or refinishing existing ones; it'll also fill in any cracks for added strength and durability!
If there's anything else about this process that makes sense right now but not later down the line (like using sealers after leveling), please let us know! We'd love if someone could help us out because we've been working so hard lately trying to figure out what works best but didn't have any luck at all....
Not allowing for needed flooring tolerances
One of the most frequent mistakes that commercial flooring companies make when installing custom flooring is not allowing for needed flooring tolerances. Tolerances are just what they sound like: the difference between the actual size of your floor and the size required by your design plan. If you don't allow enough tolerances, you could end up with misfit floors that don't meet code or standards, and even worse, won't fit properly in their designated space.
How can you calculate necessary tolerances? The answer lies in understanding how each part of your project came together—and where its measurements fall short or exceed expectations.
For example, let's say you're designing a new kitchen for your home or office building and want to install laminate wood planks over hardwood concrete subfloors; here's how it would work: First, measure out dimensions for each boxy unit that will contain four corners plus two long rows between them (1" x 1/2"). Then multiply these numbers together to get an overall square footage measurement (6) x (6) = 36 sq ft total area needed per box unit; divide this number by 16 sq ft per plank installed on edge equals 2-3/8" deep box units which must be used instead because 4-5/8" deep boxes would create too much wasted space inside them! Now take a look at those two long rows again but subtract 2" from both sides so we only have 12 total inches left over after cutting off 4"-5/8" strips from all edges leaving us with just 5"-7/8", which means we need either ____ inch thick material cut into strips measuring __ x ___ inches long plus one extra strip measuring__ x ___ inches long leftover once all pieces have been installed onto face frames which means we'll need two extra pieces cut separately into smaller rectangles measuring __ x __ inches each before using glue-up techniques like biscuits or screws so they don’t slip apart during the assembly process. If you don’t have enough material to make all of these pieces, then your best bet is going to be to look for an alternative such as plywood or MDF-based hardwood paneling that can be cut into thin strips without warping or cracking during installation.
Failing to create a solid base for carpet tiles
You can never go wrong with a concrete slab.
If you’re installing carpet tiles, your floor should have a solid base for the tiles to rest on. This will prevent them from shifting or moving around when walked on. When installing carpet tiles, it’s essential that you create a strong foundation for them so they won’t warp or bend when people walk on them. The best way to do this is by using either a concrete slab or subflooring material with great compressive strength such as plywood panels.
Commercial Flooring Companies: Failing To Use A Concrete Slab OR Subflooring Material With Great Compressive Strength Such As Plywood Panels!
Using the wrong concrete mix
If you don’t have the right concrete mix, the job will not go smoothly. The thickness of the floor must be correct, as well as its strength and water content. There must be enough cement in order for all of these components to come together and create a strong slab that will withstand any movement in the slab or uneven surface against which it is laid.
Skimping on power trowel finishing
One of the most common mistakes commercial flooring companies make is skimping on power trowel finishing. This step is important in the process of installing commercial flooring, as it helps to ensure that the concrete has a smooth, even surface.
A power trowel is an attachment with spinning blades that's used to smooth down the concrete surface during installation. After placing your new industrial carpet tiles or other commercial flooring over the freshly poured slab, you can use a power trowel to give it that professional finish before final cleaning and sealing (to prevent staining from dirt and oils).
Overlooking potential cracks and flaws in concrete slabs
If you’re installing commercial flooring in a warehouse or factory, you need to be aware of the potential for cracks and flaws in concrete slabs. Cracks can occur from a variety of reasons:
Construction errors
Unsuitable subflooring
Improper support
Placing too much weight on an unsupported area (such as a patio) can cause the concrete slab to crack, resulting in uneven floors that are prone to tripping hazards. The best policy is always to avoid these types of issues by choosing high-quality materials and hiring skilled professionals who know how to install them properly.
Choosing the wrong concrete for the job
The word “concrete” is a general term for any composite material made from cement, water and aggregate. Cement acts as the glue that holds concrete together, while water acts as a binder and helps to transport the cement to the aggregate. Concrete can be used in both interior and exterior applications, but it requires different types of additives depending on its use. For instance, portland cement has greater strength than fly ash-lime mix because fly ash provides additional strength without adding much weight or thickness when added to portland cement.
Installing flooring above grade prematurely
Many commercial flooring companies make the mistake of installing flooring above grade prematurely. An above-grade floor is a surface that isn’t below your house, a garage, or any other structure.
A few reasons why it’s important to install your commercial floors above grade are:
The moisture in concrete can cause mold and mildew to grow on your new floor if it sits below ground level for too long. It also makes cleaning difficult because you have to get inside the cracks and crevices with brushes and rags when the area has been sealed off from the rest of your home by concrete.
If too much water gets trapped under where you plan on installing your new commercial floors, this can lead to warping or buckling as well as mold growth throughout all layers of wood (especially plywood).
Applying too-thin underlayments to patchwork concrete surfaces
One of the most common mistakes that flooring companies tend to make is applying too-thin underlayments to patchwork concrete surfaces. Underlayment, also called base material, is the material that goes between your concrete surface and your flooring. It helps protect your floor from moisture and can also provide a sound barrier. In addition to these benefits, it’s required for all types of flooring except carpet.
As with everything else in this world, there are exceptions—and one is when you’re using roll-out or peel-and-stick tile products that come with their own underlayment (such as vinyl or linoleum). But if you have an existing slab or concrete subfloor and want something other than carpet on top of it, then an extra layer of underlayment is necessary no matter how thick it seems at first glance!
I think you need to consider X, Y and Z before deciding on a commercial flooring company.
Experience:
Quality of work:
Reliability:
Price:
Customer service and reputation.
Vic Commercial Flooring
Vic Commercial Flooring is a Melbourne based company that has been in business for over 10 years. We have experience installing commercial flooring solutions across Victoria and Australia, including retail stores, restaurants, schools and offices.
We offer a wide range of commercial flooring solutions from hardwood to carpet tiles to laminate and vinyl sheet flooring. Vic Commercial Flooring have the know-how to handle any project, no matter what type or size it is.
We provide free quotes so you can be sure of your costs before you go ahead with any work being done on your premises.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a commercial flooring company in Victoria, look no further than Vic Commercial Flooring. We've been around for over 10 years and have built our reputation on quality workmanship and excellent customer service. So if you need new flooring or just want to get the most out of what you already have, give us a call!
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