Hardwood Floor Needs Expansion Gap at Walls Bellingham WA
I was hired to sand and finish a new wood floor that was installed by another contractor. Upon arrival, I had some concerns……..
Read MoreMake a Paper Template for Complex Cuts in Hardwood Floors Kendahl WA
How do you fit a square board into a rounded space. Well with many trips to the saw, or….
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Moisture Tell Tale! Stability of Home is Important for Hardwood Floors Bellingham WA 98255
So, I’ve been working on this house prepping the sub floor prior to the new wood floor install. I have cut 48 sheets and loosely installed. After all were cut and put in place, the next step was to remove each sheet, apply glue and screw down. In the 2 days since starting this work, I have noticed that the plywood has become slightly crown shaped acting like a cushion of air is underneath.
Now, the plywood has been on site for about 6 months, but stored in pallet form thus in dry storage. However, laying the sheets over the radiant heat has dried the wood even more.
Moisture testing proved my theory. On the bottom side facing the heat source the moisture is 2% lower than the side up, or side away from the heat. As the side is dried it shrinks and gets smaller. The up side is slower to dry thus creating the warped plywood.
Again, Acclimation! Acclimation! Acclimation!
Read MoreSubfloor and Hardwood Floor Squeaks Whatcom
Walking over the old carpet, this floor made noises!
Clunk, squeak! Annoying noises that had to be addressed before the new floor is installed. After the carpet, pad and tack strip were removed it was obvious what was happening. The sub floor was poorly nailed down when the home was built. I would say 20% of the nails were sticking up off the sub floor an 1/8.” Some of the plywood wasn’t even nailed.
Pound down all loose nails and screw the whole floor down every 6″ was the remedy! No squeaks or clunks!
Come on people, lets do it right the first time!
Read MoreFranz of Hoffmann Hardwood Floors works on Subfloor for a COCOBOLO install Bellingham WA 98225
What good is awesome expensive hardwood flooring when the substrate base is poorly installed?
On this project, Franz is installing the 3/4″ sub deck!
Professional workmanship is built into every floor even from the beginning steps!
Acclimation of Hard Wood Flooring is a Must 98225 Bellingham WA!
Gorgeous is an understatement when describing this wood! A beautiful exotic wood, milled into flooring.
The last thing you want to do is not take care in the handling of the wood flooring and preparations to ready for installation.
As you see in this picture, the expensive exotic wood has been stacked for “seasoning” or “acclimating.” This adjusts the wood to its new environment. At this project its been onsite for almost a year now. Now, this is not standard for acclimation but the ability to store and handle the wood has allowed the wood the absolute optimum seasoning.
Normal acclimation times of a 3-7 day period are recommended. If more time is available and space for storing, season the wood for longer! I recommend this!
Read MoreCocobolo Detail Trouble
Our job isn’t only to “put blinders on” and do our job as hired but to also keep the owner of the property up to date as to problems that arise.
Such is the case when during the sub-floor prep, I noticed that the granite fireplace hearth was loose, moving and had a crack under the bonding material.
Would it have been OK for me to just say, “not my problem?” Installing my wood floor next to the un-structural slab granite would have created longevity issues, primarily for the stone company and the homeowner.
Before the wood is installed net minus 1/8″ next to the granite, access is easier and readily available for fix! Additional further inspection revealed the granite was not in height tolerance and will need to be raised to flush with wood flooring
Cocobolo Flooring in Beautiful Bellingham Home
Before any good installation is started, prep of existing home components is a must. This installation will be over radiant heat. The wood 2×4’s have had paint and dirt spilled over them.
Process: We must sand the 2×4’s to ensure a good glue bond. The 2×4’s are loose and will be re-screwed to the sub-floor. A stable 3/4″ plywood is installed over the “sleeper” 2×4’s. Generous glue usage and screw down of plywood to 2×4’s will give a long lasting base to the new wood Cocobolo wood floor.
After this is completed, then the flooring is racked out for further stabilization.
Read MoreSand Subfloor Seams Prior to Install
The new house has been framed in the rain and now the sub-floor sheet edges are swollen and raised. These seams must be sanded flat to make the sub-floor a flat plane, suitable for the new floor.
This step, especially with pre-finished flooring where no sanding will take place after install, is important so there is no visible telegraphing of the raised edge. As the floor board is installed over this raised area, the board follows this contour.
Just another step that’s built into every floor!
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NIKETOWN, Seattle – 14 years later!
7000 sq ft of engineered “Hartco Pattern Plus 5000” glued down on concrete. The floor still looks great!
Ready for many more years of service!
Read MoreAchieve Proper Moisture Content for Wood Installations
Identify the moisture content of the new wood flooring and the subfloor.
A tolerance of less than 4% must be met prior to install as stated by wood mills and manufacturers.
Doing this helps your new wood floor perform with the most stability!
Read MoreAcclimation of New Wood Flooring is Important
Just think, the wood flooring you just spent your hard earned money on is about to be nailed, glued or floated at your property.
Most manufacturers want to see the wood sit for at least 3 to 7 days prior to install, to acclimate to the new environment. I actually prefer longer depending on certain factors.
In this picture, maple flooring was cross bundle laid for best airflow over as much wood surface as possible. Why just bring the wood in the house and leave it in a pile.
Remember, subfloor and new wood must be within 4% moisture content within each other, preferably around 8%. And the heat must be set to the daily living temp replicating the environment to be. Do not drop wood off at an unheated home!!!
Read MoreWhat’s the next step with a floor Installation?
Can you tell me, what are the 3 important things occurring in this picture?
Maybe, you are considering installing that wood floor yourself? I am all for doing-it-yourself! However, a little planning and understanding goes a long way, just like in all walks of life.
I can be hired as a consultant and will answer any questions you pose. I personally think it is wise to use my 25 years of hardwood floor experience so that your project goes smoothly!
Save wasted steps and simple errors!
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