Floor tiles? Pamments?

[Moo]

But do continue to live in hope, at least until you've got rid of the concrete.
Some idiot covered all the solid floors on our ground floor (hall, passageway, breakfast room) with concrete screed, presumably to provide a nice level surface for the lino+underfelt+carpet that we peeled away.
It took a while to remove the concrete, but we found lovely flagstones in the hall and passage, and perfectly serviceable pamments in the breakfast room.

You may be lucky!

 

[fluffytail10]

We we have had the quote from the first company:

£3000 to remove concrete
£810 contingency to replace pamments etc
£1174 to clean them and put on a satin finish

Still keeps mentioning grinding though!

We have to do all the preparation, eg take out kitchen and move furniture carpets etc

So does that sound like a fair price?

Another guy coming on Saturday so will sede what he says
xx

 

[JoceAndChris]

It's the whole ground floor isn't it? I think it sounds like a fair price - not that we've had that done - but our quote for new stone to be laid on the stone staircase and passageway was around 6k. Nice
flooring does always seem to be expensive, and the cost of repair versus replacement always seems to be around the same too!

 

[Penners]

I can only repeat what I said above. If it were my floor, I wouldn't consider grinding off the surface of the pamments and then sealing them with acrylic.

It sounds to my uneducated brain like the kind of of process that could look impressive for a year or two, and then steadily deteriorate as the acrylic wears in high traffic areas. I'm also still sceptical about its breathability.

 

[JoceAndChris]

I have to say I agree, though if I were concerned about damp in the property the removal of the concrete sounds like a good thing.

 

[Zebra]

I'm just jealous because all my floor bricks were in the hardcore under the concrete in the sideway, and under the concrete slab indoors.... earth!

 

[robgil]

I would buy a pamment or two from a reccy yard then ask them to do me a sample on it.
I would also choose my own sealant , like that poly owl whats its face wood sealing stuff that doesn't stain the brick.

 

[Penners]

Steady on with the technical language, Rob. Just remember that we're not all fully trained professionals. :wink:

 

[robgil]

Sorry, What I meant to say was ''that poly wax stuff''.

 

[fluffytail10]

Well thanks for your comments. We have another guy coming to give us a quote tomorrow morning. He says he is a specialist brick craftsman and is registered with SPAB so it will be interesting to see what he's got to say.

I do have concerns about the other company, though mayb we could just use them to get the concrete up and then think about next steps.

I will feed back tomorrow with more info.

x

 

[robgil]

For 3K I'd remove your concrete as well , I'd even supply my own hob nobs.

 

[Penners]

I'll do it for £2999. And I'll give you a packet of Hobnobs.

 

[robgil]

Perfect , Fluffy I shall send Penners around in the morning, Brilliant , I've just made 1p and a packet of hob nobs and haven't even left my chair.

 

[fluffytail10]

Oh I thought it was me that got the hobnobs! If they're going to you the deals off!

Well the other man has just been, talked about using a bolster on the floor rather than power tools, and he can also do the other inglenook for us. He mostly works with lime so is busy for the summer. He seemed quite knowledgeable, talked about laying the pamments back on sand if necessary to help damp escape, and was very good at making us aware of changes in floor levels and how this may effect plumbing etc. I think he would be our preffered choice though cost will come into it.

Of course if he will do it all for hobnobs.......

 

[robgil]

That sounds better , at least now you are on the right track. Have you had a quote in?
Now that you know what needs to be done I am sure if you asked around you could get a good/better price.
I am going to be doing my floor soon in the bathroom (the whole ground floor needs doing in floor bricks ) and it's really not a difficult thing to do.

 

[Penners]

I am going to be doing my floor soon in the bathroom and it's really not a difficult thing to do.

Provided you have a pair of top quality knee pads. The job's a killer on the knees.

 

[robgil]

I like to combat this by way of nailing my feet to the ceiling and working upside down.

 

[fluffytail10]

Well ! after showing my partner all the discussions on here, he has said we can try to do it ourselves. I think the mention of how that £5000 could be spent on a holiday may have helped to convince him.

So I'll be off to Aylsham car boot searching for a bolster and knee pads. Do I need a big hammer too? We have what I call a lump hammer, is that ok? Anything else you think I might need? Can I get rid of the rubble at the local tip (though may use it patch up the field path)?

 

[Penners]

Don't get a bolster. The tool recommended by AMc will be much better, as it's thinner - easier to slide under the concrete.

Yes, a lump hammer should be fine.

Good luck! Photos when you've finished, please!

 

[Zebra]

Yes, jolly good luck. Please post any tips or advice once you've done it!
Nailing feet to the ceiling, now that's a good idea.....