Victorian terrace refits around Ealing Broadway and Hanwell
In the Victorian and Edwardian terraces of Ealing Broadway, West Ealing and Hanwell, a ground floor rebuild often means the old floor comes up. Upstairs, and in rooms that are only being refitted, the timber usually stays, and that is where latex screed earns its place.
The process begins with the boards. Loose or squeaking ones are screwed down, then the whole floor is overboarded with flooring grade plywood, fixed at close centres so it acts as one stiff sheet. Latex is never spread straight onto bare boards: they shrink and flex, and a thin cement based layer cracks above every joint.
Latex itself starts as a cement based powder, combined with a latex liquid where other compounds use water. That liquid lets the layer flex slightly as it cures and gives it a strong bond to the ply. Poured a few millimetres thick, it buries the board joints and screw heads, so sheet vinyl, lino or LVT shows none of them.
The same product works on other awkward bases in older houses. Old quarry or ceramic tiles that are still firm can be cleaned, primed and covered, which avoids breaking them out and disturbing what lies underneath. Uneven older concrete and thin, well bonded old adhesive can be treated the same way once the right primer is on. Primer matters on every base: calcium sulphate screed, for example, is always sanded free of laitance and primed first.
In a converted flat, acoustic layers under the floor must not be bridged, so the ply and latex are kept off the walls and the build-up is agreed before work starts. For the full screed alternative, see Ealing liquid screed.
Southall and Greenford refits: when latex will not do
We lay latex across the whole borough, Southall, Greenford, Norwood Green and Dormer's Wells included, and wherever the floor is, the same three questions decide whether latex is the right product.
Is the floor dry? Latex does not hold back moisture. If damp is rising through an old solid floor, the compound and the vinyl on it will lift. A hygrometer reading settles it, and a damp floor needs a membrane and a new screed, set out on our sand and cement screed page for Ealing.
Is the floor stiff? Boards or joists that bounce will crack any thin layer, so they are repaired and overboarded before latex is considered.
Is it nearly level already? Latex smooths; it does not rebuild. A floor that dips a centimetre or more across a room needs a deeper levelling pour or a screed first. If you have been searching for self levelling screed, our Ealing floor levelling page explains which kind your floor needs.
Semi detached houses make up 22% of Ealing's homes, and a kitchen refit in a semi can raise all three questions at once where a newer extension meets an older floor.
How we price latex screed in Ealing
A fixed written price within 24 hours, once we know the area and the base. See our floor screeding cost guide.
Who lays your latex screed in Ealing
K & B Screeding’s own team, led by director Donatas Bardisevicius. Founded 2019, company 12298780.
See what customers say in our Google reviews and on our testimonials page.
Latex Screed from Slough to Ealing
Ealing is about 14.3 miles east of our Slough base as the crow flies, with postcodes including W3, W4, UB1 and UB6. The nearest towns to it are Hounslow (3.5 miles), Brent (3.5 miles), Hammersmith and Fulham (4.4 miles) and Richmond upon Thames (4.9 miles).
More on latex screed, part of our screeding services.