Subfloor preparation Before you can lay a floor covering, you need to make sure the subfloor is flat, smooth and sound. Depending on the state of the subfloor and the materials it is made of, you might decide to the surface with a cement or wood-based underlay, or ‘build up’ ‘go down’ by removing existing layers of material until you achieve a suitable surface finish. In some cases, you may have to do both, especially if working on an old you’re concrete slab. That is, probably remove the surface layers with a grinder and then apply a you’ll cement-based smoothing or levelling compound with a trowel to form an ‘underlayment’. Below are the main hand and power tools used to prepare concrete and timber subfloors. For more information on how to use these tools, and for details on wheeled machines such as concrete grinders and heavy floor sanders, see the following two units: Subfloor coatings and toppings Concrete grinding. Checking levels Laser level for checking Spirit level alternative to – – levels and flatness in floor the laser level. surfaces. Removing material
Subfloor preparation Before you can lay a floor covering, you need to make sure the subfloor is flat, smooth and sound. Depending on the state of the subfloor and the materials it is made of, you might decide to ‘build up’ the surface with a cement or wood-based underlay, or ‘go down’ by removing existing layers of material until you achieve a suitable surface finish. In some cases, you may have to do both, especially if you’re working on an old concrete slab. That is, you’ll probably remove the surface layers with a grinder and then apply a cement-based smoothing or levelling compound with a trowel to form an ‘underlayment’. Below are the main hand and power tools used to prepare concrete and timber subfloors. For more information on how to use these tools, and for details on wheeled machines such as concrete grinders and heavy floor sanders, see the following two units: Subfloor coatings and toppings Concrete grinding. Checking levels Laser level – for checking levels and flatness in floor surfaces. Spirit level – alternative to the laser level. Removing material
hand_and_power_tools_fl_learner_guide.docx