How we check for a membrane and its condition
On newer builds we'd expect a membrane cast into or under the slab as standard, and moisture readings usually confirm it's doing its job. On older properties there's often no membrane at all, or an old bituminous one that's degraded, so we rely on moisture testing rather than assuming based on age alone.
What goes wrong without adequate protection
- Solid hardwood swells, cups or delaminates from sustained ground moisture.
- Adhesive for LVT or carpet tiles breaks down, allowing the floor to lift.
- Persistent damp smell and, in worse cases, mould growth beneath the covering.
- Laminate core boards swell at joints where moisture ingress is ongoing.
Options where an existing membrane is missing or failed
- Liquid damp-proof membrane applied directly to the slab surface before flooring goes down.
- Choosing a floor finish less sensitive to residual moisture, such as certain LVT or rigid-core products.
- In more serious cases, referring on for a full damp survey before any flooring work proceeds.
Fife reality: older solid-floor cottages and terraces
Many older Fife cottages and terraces, particularly around ex-mining villages in KY4 and KY5 and older parts of Kirkcaldy, were built with solid floors laid directly onto the ground with no effective membrane by modern standards. We treat these on a case-by-case basis rather than assuming every solid floor needs the same fix.
What we won't do
We won't fit a moisture-sensitive floor over a slab that's tested wet just to meet a fitting date. If a membrane needs adding or repairing first, we'll say so, because covering over unresolved damp only delays and worsens the problem.