At the Farmhouse GP Surgery in Purwell, Christchurch, we were asked to investigate ongoing concerns with the existing flooring within a clinical area of the practice. Staff had reported that the floor felt unstable underfoot, with noticeable bouncing and sagging in certain areas. Given the importance of safety, hygiene, and reliability in a medical environment, it was essential that the underlying cause was identified and resolved properly rather than simply replacing the surface flooring.

Following an initial site inspection, we removed the existing safety floor to assess the condition of the subfloor beneath. Once exposed, it became clear that the issue was the result of long-term water damage. The timber subfloor had deteriorated significantly, with areas of rot causing structural weakness and movement. Due to the extent of the damage, a full subfloor replacement was required to ensure the area was safe, stable, and suitable for continued use in a healthcare setting.

The damaged subfloor was completely removed and replaced with new, structurally sound materials, carefully installed to restore strength and eliminate movement across the floor. Once the new subfloor was in place, we overlaid the entire area with marine-grade plywood. This provided a durable, moisture-resistant base designed to withstand the demands of a clinical environment and support the new floor covering over the long term. Correct preparation at this stage was essential to ensure both performance and longevity.

With the new base fully prepared, we installed a fresh commercial safety floor specifically selected for use in medical facilities. This flooring provides excellent slip resistance, is easy to clean, and supports high hygiene standards required in healthcare environments. To complete the installation, new rubber skirting was fitted around the perimeter of the room. This created a seamless junction between the floor and walls, improving infection control by preventing dirt and moisture from collecting in hard-to-reach areas while also giving the space a clean, professional finish.

The completed works resolved all structural and safety concerns, leaving the surgery with a solid, stable, and hygienic flooring solution suitable for daily clinical use. The floor now feels secure underfoot, meets the practical demands of a busy GP surgery, and provides a long-term solution that addresses both the visible surface and the underlying structural issues. This project highlights the importance of proper investigation and subfloor preparation and demonstrates our experience delivering specialist flooring solutions for healthcare environments where safety and compliance are critical.