You’ve just installed beautiful new flooring, but there’s a problem. Where it meets the hallway, or the kitchen, or the bathroom, there’s an annoying—and dangerous—lip. That jarring little step isn't just a cosmetic flaw; it's a daily trip hazard and a clear sign of an incomplete job. In a competitive property market like Sydney, details like this matter. A seamless transition between rooms doesn't just look professional; it speaks to the quality of the entire renovation. So, why does this happen, and, more importantly, how do you fix it properly? This guide will walk you through the causes and the correct solutions to achieve that flawless, flush finish your home deserves. Why Do I Have This "Step" in My Floor? Understanding the "why" is the first step to finding the right "how." This height difference, or "lipped" floor, isn't just bad luck. It’s almost always due to one of these reasons: Different Flooring Thicknesses: This is the most common culprit. A new 20mm engineered timber floor will never sit flush against a 10mm porcelain tile (which also has 3-5mm of adhesive underneath) without planning. Subfloor Imperfections: The concrete slab or timber subfloor itself may not be level. Your new "levelled" floor in one room simply highlights the pre-existing slope in the adjoining one. Foundation Settling: In some NSW homes, minor settling over time can cause different parts of the house to sit at slightly different heights. A Failed Levelling Job: The previous contractor may have poured a levelling compound in one room but failed to feather it correctly to meet the threshold of the next, leaving a hard edge. The Quick Fix vs. The Right Fix You have two main paths to correcting this: the "cover-up" or the "correct" fix. Option 1: The Transition Strip (The "Ramp") This is the most common solution you'll see. A "reducer" or "ramp" transition strip, often made of aluminium, vinyl, or matching timber, is cut to size and fixed over the gap. Pros: It’s fast, relatively cheap, and can often be a DIY job. It neatly covers the exposed edges and prevents a hard trip. Cons: It doesn’t fix the problem; it hides it. You’re essentially installing a small, intentional ramp. In a high-end home, this can look like an afterthought and cheapen the overall finish. Option 2: True Floor Levelling (The "Seamless Finish") This is the professional solution. The goal here is not to cover the step, but to eliminate it. This is almost always achieved by raising the height of the lower subfloor to perfectly match the higher one before the new flooring is installed. This process involves using a high-quality, cement-based self-levelling compound. This liquid compound is poured over the prepared lower subfloor and naturally settles to a perfectly flat, level surface, creating a truly seamless foundation for your new floor. Pros: It delivers a perfectly flush, high-end, and professional result. It adds to your home's value and removes the trip hazard completely. Cons: It is not a DIY job. It requires specialist knowledge, tools, and meticulous preparation. Can I DIY This, or Do I Need a Professional? If you're looking at a transition strip, you can likely handle that with a mitre saw and adhesive. But if you want a true, seamless finish, you must hire a professional. Using a self-levelling compound is a science. A failed levelling job is a disaster—we've seen it all across Sydney. Common DIY mistakes include: Incorrect Mixing: The wrong water-to-powder ratio creates a weak, brittle, or cracked surface. Poor Subfloor Preparation: The compound is poured over a dusty, unprimed, or un-ground slab. It fails to bond, and "drummy" or hollow-sounding spots appear, which will eventually crack. Creating "High Spots": Incorrect application can make the problem worse, creating a new hump in the floor. Fixing a failed levelling job often costs more than doing it right the first time, as it involves expensive concrete grinding to remove the bad batch. A professional team, like us at @ElymentGroup, has the correct grinding equipment, dust extraction systems, and experience to guarantee a flawless bond and a perfectly level result. The Professional Process: Fixing the Floor in Your Sydney Home When you engage a specialist for floor levelling in NSW, here’s what the process should look like: Assessment: First, we inspect the site to determine the exact height difference and the cause. We use laser levels to map the entire area. Preparation (The Most Critical Step): The subfloor (usually concrete) is mechanically ground. This removes any old adhesives or contaminants and, most importantly, creates a rough "key" for the new compound to grip onto. This step is essential for a permanent bond. Priming: A specialised primer is applied to the concrete. This seals the slab, prevents air bubbles from rising through the compound, and dramatically improves the bond. Pouring: The self-levelling compound is mixed in batches and poured, then expertly guided with a trowel or spiked roller to ensure it flows perfectly to the required height, feathering down to zero at the threshold. Curing: The compound cures to a rock-hard, flat surface (often within hours), ready for your new flooring installer to lay a perfect, seamless floor. Key Takeaways An uneven floor between rooms is a common trip hazard, usually from different flooring thicknesses or an unlevel subfloor. You have two choices: a "cover-up" (a transition strip) or a "correct fix" (using a self-levelling compound). For a truly professional, high-end finish, a seamless transition created by a self-levelling compound is the only answer. DIY levelling is extremely risky. Failed jobs can crack, de-bond, and cost thousands in Sydney to remove and repair. Always engage a professional floor preparation specialist to assess the subfloor and apply the levelling compound correctly. Your Next Step to a Perfect Floor Tired of tripping over that awkward step or looking at an "unfinished" transition? Get it fixed professionally. At Elyment Group, we are the Sydney floor levelling specialists who create the flawless foundations that high-end renovations demand. 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