Processes / Surface preparation

Surface preparation: work order, decisions and mistakes along the way

Many renovation problems come not from one bad product, but from the wrong order of work. These cards help check what to do first, what not to rush and where correction risk usually appears.

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Knowledge cards

Surface preparation w MiWiki

The list below comes from the MiWiki database. Search by topic, use case or problem to narrow it down quickly.

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Showing all cards: 15

Assessing floor condition — practical guidance and quality checks

The floor is checked for evenness, stability, moisture, cracks, expansion joints and residual materials that may affect the new layer. Base your inspection on agreed standard, measurement and documentation, not solely on visual impression.

Assessing wall condition — practical guidance and quality checks

Walls are assessed for load-bearing capacity, cracks, moisture, evenness, dust, old coatings and compliance with the planned finish. Base your inspection on agreed standard, measurement and documentation, not solely on visual impression.

Checking substrate absorbency — practical guidance and quality checks

The inspection is intended to show whether the substrate absorbs water evenly and whether it requires a reduction in absorption, and is not intended to replace the technical card. Base your inspection on agreed standard, measurement and documentation, not solely on visual impression.

Checking substrate moisture — practical guidance and quality checks

The measurement must be made using a method appropriate to the substrate and compared to the manufacturer's limit of the finishing material. Base your inspection on agreed standard, measurement and documentation, not solely on visual impression.

Degreasing substrate — practical guidance and quality checks

The cleaning agent is selected according to the type of fat and surface, and after washing, its residues are removed according to the instructions. The most important thing is to prepare the input conditions, the correct order and control the result before moving on.

Errors in substrate preparation – causes, effects and prevention

The "Substrate Preparation Errors" card helps you recognize and stop problems such as: applying new layers on dust, grease, weak paint or a damp substrate; leveling with one material without checking the permissible thickness; skipping re-inspection after repair and drying. First the cause is removed, and only then the effect is repaired. First determine the cause; masking the symptom usually moves the problem to the next layer.

Leveling the floor — practical guidance and quality checks

Before the leveling compound, you need to repair moving cracks, seal leaks, prime and set the target level. The most important thing is to prepare the input conditions, the correct order and control the result before moving on.

Levelling walls — practical guidance and quality checks

The method is selected according to the size of the deviations: local defects are repaired differently than the entire curved plane. The most important thing is to prepare the input conditions, the correct order and control the result before moving on.

Preparation of concrete — practical guidance and quality checks

The concrete must be set, clean, free of cement laitance, oils and weak layers, and its moisture content must correspond to the system. The most important thing is to prepare the input conditions, the correct order and control the result before moving on.

Preparation plasterboard — practical guidance and quality checks

Joints, screws, corners and damage must be finished and dry, and the cardboard must not be torn or sanded. The most important thing is to prepare the input conditions, the correct order and control the result before moving on.

Preparing plaster under painting — practical guidance and quality checks

The plaster should be dry, set, even, dust-free and free from efflorescence and layers that weaken adhesion. The most important thing is to prepare the input conditions, the correct order and control the result before moving on.

Preparing substrate under tiles — practical guidance and quality checks

The substrate for the tiles must support the weight of the cladding, have the required evenness and be compatible with the waterproofing and adhesive. The most important thing is to prepare the input conditions, the correct order and control the result before moving on.

Removing loose layers — practical guidance and quality checks

The layer is removed to the point where the remaining substrate is actually load-bearing; the boundaries must be chamfered or leveled before repair. The most important thing is to prepare the input conditions, the correct order and control the result before moving on.

Repair surface defects — practical guidance and quality checks

The repair material must match the depth, substrate and subsequent layer; a deep cavity often requires staged filling. The most important thing is to prepare the input conditions, the correct order and control the result before moving on.

Sanding old coatings — practical guidance and quality checks

Sanding is intended to remove weak areas and increase adhesion, but must not overheat, polish or excessively weaken the substrate. The most important thing is to prepare the input conditions, the correct order and control the result before moving on.