Checklist “Preparing interior spaces for finishing works”
Before starting finishing works, it is important to properly prepare interior spaces to ensure high-quality execution and long-lasting results. This checklist will help you organize the preparation process step by step, avoid mistakes, and create optimal conditions for finishing. Follow the recommendations to be confident in the reliability of each stage.
Surface cleaning
Cleaning walls, ceilings, and floors. Before starting finishing work, thoroughly clean all surfaces from dust, dirt, and construction residues. Use soft brushes, a vacuum cleaner, or damp cloths to remove small debris. This is especially important to ensure adhesion (bonding) of finishing materials to the base.
Eliminating unevenness. Inspect surfaces for cracks, chips, or other defects. All cracks should be filled with suitable materials such as putty or цемент mortar. Then level the walls or ceiling with plaster. Smooth surfaces not only make applying finishing materials easier, but also extend their service life. In Italy, as in other EU countries, strict regulations apply to the use of environmentally safe materials when preparing and finishing помещений. For example, plasters and putties must comply with standards that exclude harmful emissions into the air. Such materials are marked with quality labels that should be considered when purchasing.
Priming walls and ceilings
Choosing a primer. Choose a primer suitable for the type of surface and the final coating. For example, acrylic primers are suitable for most surfaces, including drywall, concrete, and brick. If the walls are porous or prone to absorbing moisture, use a deep-penetrating primer. This stage helps improve adhesion (bonding) of the finishing material to the surface and prevents absorption of excess moisture.
Applying the primer. Before applying the primer, make sure the surface is dry and clean. Using a roller or brush, apply the primer evenly to walls and ceilings. Avoid missed spots to ensure full coverage. Allow the primer to dry according to the manufacturer’s recommendations (usually 2 to 6 hours).
In Italy, primers, like other building materials, must comply with European safety and environmental standards. Some laws require the use of primers with a low content of volatile organic compounds (VOC) to minimize harmful impacts on health and the environment.
Floor preparation
Preparing the subfloor. Start by inspecting the subfloor (the base layer under the floor covering). Check it for cracks, depressions, and other unevenness. If significant defects are found, perform repairs: fill cracks with special putty, and to remove unevenness, make a screed—a layer of цемент-sand mix that levels the surface. If installation of a floor covering such as laminate or parquet is planned, lay an underlayment (a layer of insulating material). It provides sound and thermal insulation and also extends the service life of the covering.
Note: In Italy, floor preparation may involve requirements for building energy efficiency. For example, for residential premises, the law recommends using thermal insulation materials in the subfloor to reduce energy consumption for heating. This is especially relevant for buildings meeting energy efficiency class A or higher.
Instructions for using the checklist “Preparing interior spaces for finishing works”
- Review the steps. Read the checklist items to understand the sequence of actions.
- Follow instructions. Perform the steps in order, starting with cleaning surfaces and finishing with floor preparation.
- Verify completed work. After each stage, make sure the work is done properly and mark completed tasks.
- Use additional materials. If tools or materials are mentioned in the checklist, prepare them in advance.
- Meet requirements. Consider local building regulations, such as Italian laws on energy efficiency and material use.
This checklist will help you properly prepare the room for finishing and avoid mistakes during the process.
