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Troublesome floor - two types of concrete with a cracking where they meet
Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.19 PM
Hi there! We are really struggling with our kitchen floor. It is originally concrete but appears to have a cut out (like a manhole) which was filled in many years ago(possibly with a different type of concrete?) The floor was originally covered in lino but we have since laid levelling compound and tiled it. Where the compound has met the 'manhole area' it has not gripped the concrete and has almost been repelled by it... Bending upwards and blowing clean off the floor. We have done this twice now... Once with tiles on, once just the compound - no joy. We are trying to work out how to fix the floor. My guess is that there are potentially two different types of concrete and the cracking where they meet might be also letting damp in causing them to move at different rates. I have done a lot of reading and found mixed reviews on how this can be rectified. Sealing the crack, laying a waterproof layer like bitumen, then the screed, then marine ply has been one recommendation. However I am not sure if doing this will reduce the movement and stop the cracks blowing the screed and transferring upwards into the tile. I have read about laying membranes to stop the movement... I have also that the tiles might additionally need to be cut along the crack line to accommodate the movement (this will look terrible btw). Fyi The space is not that large - we have lost six tiles and each one is about 3.5square. Any advice gratefully received. Cheers! Annabel
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paul bayliss carpentry & general builder
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Classical ceramics ltd
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