Underfloor issues during kitchen fitting preinstallation

Before installing your kitchen units, it is wise to consider some important underfloor issues that can potentially create problems if ignored.

Precautions

• Subfloor stability:
  Ensure the subfloor is stable, especially for tiles, to prevent cracks. Reinforce with plywood if necessary.
• Floor levelling:
  Consider whether floor levelling will be necessary and how this might impact on doorway thresholds.
• Floor height:
  Consider the impact of the UFH system (if used) and new flooring on the overall floor height, especially in existing homes with fixed ceiling and door levels.

Other considerations:

• Moisture levels:
  Check and ensure low moisture levels in concrete subfloors, as concrete takes time to dry.
• Floor preparation:
  Prepare the floor by ensuring it’s level and clean before installation.
• Installation order:
  Installing the flooring first, before cabinets, is generally recommended for ease of installation, flexibility in future renovations, and a more seamless look.
• Pipework:
  Older properties may have lead pipework. This can become brittle with age and make it very difficult to connect new pipe fittings. Consider whether this should be replaced.
• Electrical supply:
  Now would be a good time to decide whether the property requires rewiring, including consumer unit (fuse box) replacement.