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Levelling a bitumen sub floor

  |  Levelling a bitumen sub floor

Levelling a bitumen sub floor

We understand that there are two main types of bitumen sub floors that most contractors come across and will try and deal with these below. Additionally we need to point out that bitumen can be an unstable product and any advice we offer is based on industry practices and the products that we stock in the UK.

Old bitumen adhesive residue

When old parquet floors are removed, they will often leave a layer of the residual bitumen adhesive on the surface of the sub floor below. The best industry advice is to encapsulate this with Primers and levelling compounds to create a new sub floor that is ready to receive a floor covering. At this stage, the contractor needs to make sure that any loose adhesive is subsequently removed before proceeding any further. Old bitumen can contain asbestos and so all health and safety precautions should be maintained. We would not recommend abrasion of the bitumen for this reason and care must be taken when checking its condition.

Once the condition of the bitumen residue is assessed, we would recommend the following products and processes. Firstly, apply WAKOL MS330 Primer DPM in one layer. This will dry in approximately one hour depending on the undulation of the sub floor surface. Subsequently, apply WAKOL D3045 gritted primer to promote the adhesion of the levelling compound layer. This will dry in approximately 45 minutes depending on the humidity in the atmosphere. Thereafter, apply WAKOL Z520 Levelling Compound in a maximum layer of 10mm.

The products and processes above should make it easy for the user to achieve a new sub floor in a quick time frame and the adhesion of a new floor covering should be possible within 24 hours.

WATCH THE VIDEO
HOW TO LEVEL ON AN OLD BITUMEN SUBFLOORCast Asphalt

 

Cast asphalt has been used in the UK as a moisture suppressant layer for many years. It was common from the 50’s to the 70’s but was also used after that. Theoretically it can be encapsulated quite easily and we would recommend this rather than direct adhesion of a floor covering. Please note, old bitumen can contain asbestos and so all health and safety precautions should be maintained. We would not recommend abrasion of the bitumen for this reason and care must be taken when checking its condition.

Once the condition of asphalt is assessed, we would recommend the following products and processes. Firstly, apply WAKOL D3045 Gritted Primer to promote the adhesion of the levelling compound layer. This will be dry in approximately 45 minutes depending on the humidity in the atmosphere. Thereafter, apply WAKOL Z520 Levelling Compound in a maximum layer of 10mm.

The products and processes above should make it easy for the user to achieve a new sub floor in a quick time frame and the adhesion of a new floor covering should be possible within 24 hours.

 

Help and advice?

If you need help and advice on something that is not covered, please contact us and we will try our best to answer your questions.