When a commercial or industrial lease comes to an end, the condition of the floor is rarely an afterthought. Dilapidation schedules routinely flag cracked screed, delaminating coatings, oil staining, chemical damage and general wear and tear as items requiring repairs before a property can be handed back. Getting the flooring element of a dilapidations claim right can be the difference between a straightforward handover and a costly, drawn out dispute for landlords, tenants and building surveyors.
- Why does flooring feature so heavily in dilapidation schedules?
As we know, industrial and commercial floors take a battering. Vehicles and heavy machinery, chemical spills, heavy racking and constant footfall all leave their mark over the life of a lease. Surveyors preparing a schedule of dilapidation will typically assess the floor against its condition at the start of the tenancy. Any deterioration beyond fair wear and tear – such as cracking, pitting, coating failure or contamination – is likely to be deemed a repair liability.
Flooring repairs can represent a significant proportion of a dilapidation bill, hence both landlords and tenants have a strong incentive to understand exactly the work required, the costs involved and how it should be carried out to a standard satisfactory to a surveyor.
- Why is surface preparation the foundation of any repair?
A resin flooring repair is only as good as the preparation beneath it. Patching over damaged screed or applying a fresh coating on top of a contaminated or poorly bonded substrate is a false economy – it is likely to fail fast and create further disputes down the line. Experienced resin floor installers, like our team at Surface Systems, will tell you that proper surface preparation typically involves:
- Survey – identifying the root cause of the failure (moisture, movement, chemical attack, poor installation) rather than only treating the symptom.
- Mechanical preparation – shot blasting or diamond grinding to remove the failed coatings and create a laitance-free surface with the correct profile foe successful adhesion.
- Substrate repair – filling cracks and levelling uneven areas with appropriate repair mortars.
- Moisture testing – checking the substrate is within acceptable tolerances before any new resin system is applied.
When this stage is either skipped or rushed, it almost always results in coating failure which can leave a tenant liable for the same repair twice.
- How can we help?
As commercial and industrial resin flooring installers, Surface Systems work alongside landlords, tenants and surveyors throughout the dilapidation process. This ensures:
- Independent condition surveys will accurately establish an evidence-based picture of existing floor damage
- Cost-effective specifications to repair that meet the requirements
- Fully-guaranteed workmanship, giving both parties confidence that the repairs will last
- Fast turnaround, working around on-going operations, 24/7 and to tight lease-end deadlines.
- Clear documentation including photographic evidence and date sheets to support the dilapidations negotiations.
Getting the surface preparation right the first time protects everyone’s interests and their budgets. Get in touch today to discuss your dilapidation flooring requirements and arrange a site survey with one of our team of professionals. Call 01803 868680 or email enquiries@surfacesystems.co.uk wwwsurfacesystems.co.uk
