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Flooring Questions:

Hard Wood Flooring:

Question:

I am nailing down hardwood on the 2nd floor. I plan to use a cork under layment as a base. I have two questions to ask:

 1)  Do I need to use an adhesive to adhere the cork to the sub floor since I am nailing the flooring?

 2) Do I need an additional vapor barrier ie plastic or asphalt felt? If so, could I just glue down the barrier and then glue the cork on top of it?

 Answer:

On the second story I don't believe a vapor barrier is necessary, you are really not drawing any dampness or moisture unless the first floor is unfinished. I would use an adhesive for the cork but only to tack it, your nails should secure the rest. Gordon

Laying Tile Over Vinyl Flooring:

Question:

I want to lay tile in my kitchen very shortly and what I have is linoleum on the floor. I want to use a type of glue and lay my tiles right over the linoleum. I have tried to get the vinyl up but it’s stuck very well. I just wanted to hear from an expert. I watched a brand new house go up a couple of years ago and they laid tar paper down before they installed their tile.

Answer:

I know you don't really want to put tile on vinyl with only 15# felt between. Just like I know that you don't want to re-do it in about three months, maybe if you are lucky. Buy some Hardi board or Wonder board and glue and screw it down to the floor and thin set your tile to that. It's that or you will have to strip the flooring up and still put down Hardi or Wonder. Ceramic tile will not bond to 15# felt. Gordon

Leveling Floor for Remodel:

Question:

I am building a room over an existing 12x20 concrete patio/slab. The pitch is 1/4 per foot away from the house, total dip 3. Can I use concrete leveling material, or should I install joists over the concrete to level?

Answer:

3 " is a bit much to use a leveler, it is not recommended to go that thick and a bitch to apply for that length. I would use treated lumber as the base allowing for circulation etc. applying a vapor barrier before framing. This more conventional approach also gives you more flexibility if there is compound sloping from side to side as well. Gordon

Flooring Removal:

Question:

We are removing the laminate and sub-flooring over Oak hardwood floors, what is the best way to pull it all up without damaging the hardwoods underneath in order to refinish it?

 Answer:

The laminate can be removed easily once you get a corner as it should snap out like a puzzle. If the sub-floor was screwed in place then carefully remove them if nailed buy a cats paw and a wonder bar from the hardware store to remove them. Hopefully they didn't use an adhesive on the sub floor other wise you will have a gooey mess that will require a lot of slow sticky removal. Once you have the sub-floor stripped you might consider calling a flooring person to access the situation. They have a lot of tricks and since I can't see it from here in Central Oregon I probably won't be to much help. Gordon

 Hardwood Flooring Around Toilet:

Question:

We wanted to know if there is an easier way of laying hardwood around the toilet without pulling out the toilet? Is there an easy way of tracing around or making a template of the toilet to trace onto the floor planks?

Answer:

It is always recommended to remove the toilet and then lay the new flooring, you don't want the bottom lip below grade for moisture reasons. Hardwood floors are problematic enough in water prone areas without having to seal a traced out gap around the base. Oversized Waxed toilet rings are very inexpensive compared to replacing water damaged flooring. Gordon

Hardwood Floor Sealers:

Question:

I recently installed spruce flooring in our bedroom and I am finishing it with high gloss urethane, what should I use latex or oil base.

 Answer:

Latex is much more forgiving than oil but not as durable. I would be more inclined to use a satin finish as opposed to high gloss, since it would show the flaws as readily. Both are types are good but have their advantages and disadvantages. Gordon

Bleach Damaged Laminated Flooring:

Question:

I thought the laminated floors were stain proof. How do I correct this problem? The flooring was purchased from …. and they no longer carry the product. Please help!

Answer:

I would look at the manufactures warranty and see if they said "proof" or "resistant" if they said proof then you only recourse is to go after the manufacture, otherwise you will have to tear it up and start over with another brand. Sorry for the bad news but there are a lot of products out there that unfortunately don't cut the mustard. Gordon

 Removing Staples from Pressboard Sub Flooring:

Question:

How do you get the old pressboard.( wet and molding in some places) out? What tool (s) will work the best, fastest and easiest. We are replacing the pressboard with 5/8" plywood. We all ready cut around the edges with the Sawzall but how do you get to the staples (some can't even be seen)? My husband tried to pull up on one corner and pull the board up, but that didn't work!

 Answer:

Unfortunately there is no easy way but instead of trying to pull out all the staples just pound them down, they won't hurt anything being left in the joists as long as they are down below the surface. Have patience, Gordon

Under Layment on Cement Slab:

Question:

I'm installing laminate flooring on top of a painted cement slab in my basement. Some people tell me that I can use the cheaper standard underlay foam, others tell me that I need the more expensive below grade underlay.

 Answer:

 I guess you have to weight out the cost difference between the cheaper standard brand and perhaps your labor to re-do and replace the flooring if the inherently moist painted concrete decides by some freakish notion to sweat, with the more expensive below grade under­-layment ? I have always found in my 35 plus years in the trades that doing the job right and to the best of my ability usually insures a lot less call backs for product failure and faulty workmanship. Gordon

Vinyl Tile Adhesive:

Question:

We are planning to install a high end vinyl floor tile by Nafco. It is Modena Marble. The cost for the NAFCO brand flooring adhesive is outrageous. Can I use the Saf-T 003 Brand flooring adhesive for this vinyl tile. It is about 70 percent less expensive.

 Answer:

Firstly, if by some odd chance that you have a defective batch of flooring or adhesive and you used the wrong adhesive then the warranty would be void, secondly I know it seems like they recommend theirs to make the buck but really its because it works better and lasts longer on their product. You make the call, Gordon

Hardwood Flooring Party Damage:

Question:

Hello, I’m a girl, so I admit it, I really know nothing about hardwood flooring. However, I have a question that I need answered! About two months ago my fiancé and I had a party at our house and one of our lovely guests (yes, sarcasm is intended) decided to wear her stiletto boots on our hard wood. As the room mate puts it, our floor now looks like a gold ball. My fiancé was originally going to have her pay to have the floor re-finished. Our house is only about 3 years old so the hard wood is new. She claims that the dents can be removed by steaming the floor. Is this a true method, and if so is it effective? He also spoke to his cousin who told us to just wait until we sell the house to have the floor re-finished and that it should only cost us around $800...So my question is, coming from a professional do you think we should have the floor fixed now, or would it be more worth while to wait? I'm honestly sick of seeing the floor and sick of his lenience towards her. If we are going to have the floor fixed I feel that it needs to get done soon because she has a baby on the way and once the baby is born, payment may be hard to get and I’m telling you I REFUSE to pay for damage I did not do. Looking forward to your response.

Answer:

I have heard of using various techniques to raise out dents and it could be that the dents are just in the urethane finish but without being able to see the damage it's hard to give an evaluation. Honestly the best way to resolve this is to call a reputable flooring person in your area and have them come out. It could be simple but it could be very costly as well and somehow the situation should be settled by someone that can give you a written estimate that is licensed in your state. That way, your "guest" has a bid for the damage instead of my opinion on an e-mail from Central Oregon. Gordon

Creaky Floors:

 Question:

We are about to have carpeting put in several rooms, including stairs, of our home that currently have tile and wood flooring. The stairs and several rooms creak very badly and we would like to fix this prior to the carpet being laid. What is the best way do to this? Can it be done from underneath the floor? What is the best solution?

 Answer:

 If you have a crawl space, then purchase a bunch of shim shingles and have your husband go down there and while you walk and make the floor creak have him pound the shims in from each side of the floor joists. It’s a tedious, but very effective and with your present floor coverings the only solution available. Gordon

Hot Wax Removal:

Question:

Hello, recently I spilled a decent amount of hot wax from a candle on my vinyl flooring and countertop. What can I do to remove this from these areas?

Answer:

From your question I am assuming that the candle had a pigment (color) and that is not coming up? There are several methods I would recommend all with a bit of caution.

1) Try a folding several layers of paper towels over the affected area then carefully placing a hot iron on top of the towels to draw out the stain. Don't let the area get too hot as it might damage the floor.

 2) If you don't feel comfortable with the iron, use hot water from the tea pot as the heat source, gently pouring in on the towels.

3) Often times the pigment in candles is an oil based product get a small can of Acetone from the hardware store and while wearing gloves use a clean white rag and gentle wipe the area. Don't over do it Acetone is strong stuff, and don't get it in your eyes. Thanks for your question and hope this will help. Gordon

Laminate Floor Lifting & Bubbling:

Question:

Why is my new laminate flooring lifting and starting to bubble?

Answer:

If the floor was installed without proper spacing as per manufactures instructions then there is the possibility of bubbling and the product is not moisture tolerant meaning I have seen them bubble in kitchen or bath areas when subject to moisture. Another possibility is that the sub floor was not level and the material (laminate) is taking up the slack. Gordon

Dura-Ceramic Installation:

Question:

Can you install Dura-ceramic in mobile homes?

 Answer:

The problem with mobile home or manufactured home construction is the widely accepted use of particle board (typically 5/8 to 3/4 inch) set on 24 inch centers depending on the manufacturer. This leaves a large possibility for sagging and or ridging especially in areas where there might be moisture Dura Ceramic is a beautiful and excellent product but unless your flooring contractor will warranty the installation for a good period of time without beefing up the floor base, I would be cautious about spending that kind money. I hope this is helpful. Gordon

Waterproofing & Cement (self leveling):

Question:

I've prepared my bathroom floor surface for tiling (self leveling and waterproofing). I’m about to start tiling (ceramic tiles) but find that my floor is still a bit uneven & no sloping to drain areas). Will it be possible to just use another self-leveling compound over the painted waterproof membrane or should I remove this waterproof membrane first before leveling? Also, do I have to wait 28 days for self leveling to cure before waterproofing again and then tiling? My last question is: how thick can I apply Tile adhesive and what is the dangers if I apply it to thick? Please let me know. Many thanks.

 Answer:

The problem with all the new products available today is they give you a false sense of security by taking out some of the time honored steps of the trade. If your area is really not going to drain properly you may have to remove the membrane and start over, I don't use self leveling materials I use Portland cement to create the base. I don't know what product you used but before you rip your work out see if you can apply some Portland on top to level the surface. The answer to your other question is that you can't use to thin set adhesive to float your tile to level. Tile trowels are designed to have groves creating air space under the tiles for proper adhesion. Hope this is helpful. Gordon

Sliding Mirrored Doors over Laminate Flooring:

Question:

We are installing laminate flooring in our bedroom and putting sliding mirrored doors on the closet. How do I attach the bottom track for the doors on the laminate since you should not put screws through this floor?

Answer:

Hi Lisa, Thanks for your question. It's ok to put screws in laminate flooring for your type of needs. Manufactures don't want the floor attached prohibiting it from expanding and contracting. A couple of screws won't affect this and void your warranty. Just remember to pre-drill the holes a little larger that the screws, laminate is brittle and might blister, crack or split. I hope this answers your question. Gordon

Squeaky Floor Boards and Sinking Floor:

Question:

I have some squeaky floor boards and some of my floor is loose and in one room the floor is sinking a little, could you tell me what is causing this?

 Answer:

Typically floor joists (the structural members that support the floor) tend to sag and twist slightly with time. And depending on the material used for the sub-floor (ply/ particle/ SBO) and if it was glued as well as nailed you will get some separation between the joists and the floor base. Unfortunately the only remedy is to strip the floor covering and re-nail or screw the flooring down to the settled joists. As to the sinking floor, I would suggest that if you have a crawl space under the house examine that area from below, the floor joists are typically supported by girders (beams) with posts and usually a concrete base at grade. If you notice sagging you may have a structural member that has shifted causing the sink. I hope this has been helpful, Gordon

Installing Wood over Concrete:

Question:

Is it possible to put a wood floor over a concrete slab without floating it?

Answer:

Depending on the levelness of the floor and the surface condition will determine the need for floating. Hardwoods and even laminates tend to seek a common level when connected together. One doesn't want a lot of dips and high spots especially when you have to use adhesives to apply them to the slab. Gordon

Slab Flooring Pros & Cons:

Question:

The home that we are considering buying has concrete slab flooring. What are the pro's and con's of slab flooring versus a foundation with a crawl space?

Answer:

Good Morning, Slabs tend to be a little cooler and colder in both the winter and summer months, concrete stays pretty constant within certain temperature ranges. Concrete is harder than wood, thicker pads under carpet are recommended. Crawl spaces tend to gather moisture, spidey nasties etc. They also have a higher upkeep value regarding vents insulation and such. If the crawl space is a basement then I guess you gain storage but the balance is that you have to keep them up as things tend to gather there. As long as the slab is in good shape and you like the home, go for it. Hope this helps, Gordon

A slip protector on top of laminate, left a ring on floor:

Question:

We had a beautiful and expensive laminate floor installed a few months ago. I put a round rug protector and rug under 2 chairs to keep them from scratching the floor. When I removed the rugs they have left a ring around the area that the non slipped rug protectors have been. I used the laminate cleaner to see if it would clear it and it did not remove the big circle area. Hope you can help me get my marks removed off the floor.

Answer:

Hello, if the ring is a material residue from the protector, I would try a product called Goop off, but before I used it I would test it out in a corner out of main sight. If it is sun damage then only time will fade the ring away. Your last resort is to call the flooring manufacture at get their advice. Good Luck, Gordon

Squeaking hardwood floors:

Question:

I have some places in my "real" hardwood floors (10 years old) that are squeaking. There is access to the underneath of the floors with a full basement. Isn't there some sort of support that can be applied under the floor (in the basement ceiling) to eliminate the squeaking?

 Answer:

Go to your local building supply store and purchase several bundles of shim shingles. With someone above you walking about trying to make the floor squeak, drive the shims from opposing sides of the floor joists at the squeaks. Typically after settling for years you get some sag in the structure. If this is not successful then the only other method is to finish nail the floor at the spots that are loose, fill them with wood filler and refinish. Good luck, Gordon

Hardwood floor cleanup:

Question:

Removing dry texture from hard wood flooring

Answer:

Good Morning, Try a diluted solution of water and liquid Downey in a spray bottle, let it sit for a bit, slippery but effective. Gordon

Replacing Carpet with Vinyl Tiles:

Question:

I am replacing the carpet in my dining room with vinyl tiles. There will be a significant thickness difference between the tile and former carpet and pad. After removing the trim, how do I match up the trim with the trim that goes around the corners to the other rooms if I have to move the trim down to set on the vinyl? Will I have to use something under the vinyl to raise it or use taller trim all existing trim has custom, hard to match stain?

Answer:

I would recommend that you use 1/4 round molding, say 1/2 inch wide, and butt that against your baseboard, it can be pre-stained to match and then you just nail it? It’s a lot simpler and professional. Gordon

New hardwood floors are dull: 

Question:

We just installed new hardwood floors. They are great, but they are dull. They only look good wet.

Answer:

There are several finishes available for sealing hardwood floors

1) Matt - dull 2) Satin -slight sheen 3) Simi- Gloss .... 4) Gloss .... 5) High Gloss... you get the picture. Anyway depending on the installer, the quality of the flooring material and actual job, the higher the sheen can will be. Low sheen = flaws not as visible High Gloss= like a mirror it shows everything. Find out the finish used and your question will be answered, hope this helps, Gordon

Pre-finished hardwood flooring:

Question:

I had sent a question in but I didn’t make it clear. I have pre-finished hardwood flooring that just won’t shine. It is new and from day one it has had scum look on it. I re did an old floor myself.

Answer:

Thanks for writing back. Laminates have a factory finish basically baked into the coating when they are processed at the factory. Each type has a set value that is pre-determined as per brand and color. You could have got a bad batch or run as they say. The only thing to do is go back to the store you purchased it and get another sample. After comparing them if you indeed get a bad run then you will need to consult with the vendor and perhaps the manufacturer to rectify this. Not amount of topically applied wax like product will remedy un-less the manufacturer has a solution that they recommend and will stand behind. Good Luck, Gordon