CM20 · M11 J7a / A414 · 2 mi from Harlow
Gilston Latex & Self-Levelling Compound Specialists
The standard we work to in CM20 is 3mm deviation over 2m — that's what modern engineered wood needs to lay flat over its lifetime. Beyond that, the floor moves as it settles, and the floating layer eventually opens joints or lifts at seams.
From £420 · Level survey £180 (refunded against booked work). Latex from £14/m², ply overlay from £22/m².
Typical turnaround: 1–3 days including cure time; larger areas 3–5 days.
Our repair process in Gilston
Step 1
Level survey
Straight-edge and laser survey across the whole area. We map high and low points, moisture-test the sub-deck, and give you a written spec of what needs doing.
Step 2
Fix loose or damaged sub-deck
Re-screw perimeter, replace damaged boards, packer under joists where levelling is required. Structural first, cosmetic second.
Step 3
Apply DPM if needed
For concrete without a moisture barrier we apply a two-coat epoxy DPM (Bona R540 + R580) or a bituminous membrane, depending on moisture readings.
Step 4
Latex self-levelling compound
Feather in dips with fibre-reinforced latex compound; pour a proper self-levelling layer where the deviation is large. Cures in 24 hours to a flooring-ready surface.
Step 5
Ply overlay where needed
For older sub-decks or where levelling depth would be excessive, we overlay with 5.5mm ply screwed at 150mm centres — the flooring industry standard for a stable base.
What you're seeing in Gilston
Common signs we diagnose in CM20 subfloor levelling calls:
- Hollow-sounding spots when you tap the floor
- Doors dragging on the floor as it moves
- New flooring installer refusing to lay without prep — first sign the base is out of tolerance
- Visible dips or humps in the current floor's surface
- Skirting boards gapping at the top or bottom in specific rooms
What's actually happening
The likely root causes in Gilston's new build homes and along M11 J7a / A414:
- 1
Chipboard sub-deck screws working loose over 20+ years
- 2
Wet-lay screed under UFH that wasn't fully cured before floor install
- 3
Extension floor poured at different height from the original
- 4
Concrete without DPM allowing moisture upward through the floor
- 5
Original screed poured out of tolerance and never levelled
Why Gilston clients pick us
- Straight-edge and laser levels on every visit
- Written spec of what we did, useful for future flooring warranties
- Straight-edge and laser levels on every visit
- Written spec of what we did, useful for future flooring warranties
Materials & method
Exactly what we use on Gilston subfloor levelling jobs — no vague "trade-quality" waffle.
- Ardex A45 or Mapei Ultraplan latex self-levelling compound
- Bona R540 mist primer + R580 moisture barrier — for concrete DPM
- 5.5mm structural plywood BB grade — for sub-deck overlay
- Timbre Turbo-Drive 4x40 screws for perimeter and grid re-fixing
Timeline: 1–3 days including cure time; larger areas 3–5 days. · Price: from £420 · Level survey £180 (refunded against booked work). Latex from £14/m², ply overlay from £22/m².
Subfloor Levelling in Gilston — common questions
- Can you level over a chipboard sub-deck?
- Yes — but we usually re-screw the deck first (perimeter and joist centres), and if it's badly out of level we overlay with ply. Feathering latex directly onto chipboard rarely holds long-term.
- Do you cover Gilston for subfloor levelling?
- Yes — Gilston (CM20) is on our regular Harlow route. We do subfloor prep for our own flooring installs and also for other flooring contractors in the area.
- How much does subfloor levelling cost in Gilston?
- Latex self-levelling is typically £14–£22/m² depending on depth. Ply overlay is £22–£30/m². For a typical open-plan CM20 kitchen-diner, £600–£1,600.
- What about underfloor heating — does that change the prep?
- Yes — wet-lay UFH screed needs full commissioning cycle (typically 21 days) before we'll lay flooring. Electric mat UFH usually goes over a latex layer we install first. Different approach for each system.
- What if my floor has moisture from below (concrete without DPM)?
- Then we apply a DPM before anything else — usually a two-coat epoxy. That's non-negotiable — wood or LVT over a wet slab fails, always. It's £6–£10/m² added and it's essential.
- Do I really need subfloor levelling in Gilston, or can I skip it?
- You can skip it — and you'll pay for it in year 3 with lifted joints or cupped edges. In Gilston we consider levelling mandatory for engineered wood over 3mm/2m deviation, and for LVT over 1mm/2m. The tolerance is real, not marketing.
The straight answer for Gilston
Every flooring problem we're called back to in CM20 traces to the same source: inadequate prep. Wrong moisture level, uneven base, no DPM. The flooring wasn't the problem — the preparation was. In Gilston we do the prep as if the finish depended on it, because it does.
Level before you lay in Gilston
Latex, ply, DPM — the right prep for your specific base.
Nearby CM areas we cover
Not all combinations are live yet — where a nearby link 404s, the same team still covers that area.