If you’re planning to get new flooring for your home, there are a few things that you need to know before installation. This will help ensure that everything goes smoothly and that your new floors look great once the project is complete!
One of the first things that you should do is determine how to prepare your subfloor. This is a critical step in the entire process because you won’t want to end up with creaking floorboards once the work is finished.
1. Determine the Surface Preparation
Before installing any type of flooring, it’s important to ensure that the surface is properly prepared. Failure to do so can lead to problems with the finish and the durability of the materials.
The surface preparation process aims to increase the adhesion of the coating. This can be done mechanically or chemically.
A good surface preparation method will remove rust, mill scale and other uncontrolled impurities that can affect the performance of the coating. It also improves the overall appearance of the finished product.
It will also promote the highest possible mechanical bonding between the coating and the substrate material. This will increase the lifespan of the coating and save money by preventing future issues like corrosion.
Some methods of surface preparation involve chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid. However, these chemicals can be dangerous if they come into contact with humans and the environment.
Other techniques use water to prepare the surface. This is less effective, but creates the right profile for the new coating to adhere to.
Abrasive blasting is another common method of surface preparation that involves a combination of air and abrasive grains. This method is most commonly used to remove rust and other contaminants from metal surfaces.
Besides this, it can be used to prepare concrete slabs for the installation of new flooring. It is a relatively simple process, but it requires expert skills.
The proper surface preparation will not only make the floor look great but it will also help the floors to perform better in high-traffic areas. It will also ensure that the floors are durable and resistant to moisture damage and mold.
Whether you’re installing new flooring for residential or commercial purposes, it’s important to make sure that the surface is prepared correctly. If you don’t, you can expect to face costly re-works and problems in the future. We suggest looking for an epoxy floor contractor servicing Sarasota if you want to ensure quality work.
2. Make Sure the Substrate is Solid
Before installing new flooring, you must make sure that the substrate is solid. This is because any imperfections in the surface, including ridges, cracks and undulations, can show through when you apply the material and can result in premature wear and damage to the floor.
Having a solid substrate can prevent these issues and will save you money in the long run. Also, a properly prepared subfloor will allow for easy installation of the new flooring material.
When assessing the substrate, you will need to consider several things:
Flatness tolerances.
This means that the substrate must be within a certain zone of flatness when you use a straightedge to measure it. The tolerance zone starts between two lines and progresses to two sets of parallel planes where all deviations must lie.
Tolerances are measured using a 2.4 metre (6′) or 3.0 metre (10′) straightedge that is placed across the surface of the substrate and moved back and forth to assess the gap space between the straightedge and the substrate’s surface.
There are some limitations to the way that these measurements are performed.
If the substrate is very uneven, you will need to use a more accurate method of measuring it. This is because a flatness tolerance based on ASTM E1155, a method used for freshly placed concrete, will not account for any surface conditions that are present in the field.
A good example of this is when installing over a previously existing wood floor that is not completely level. This can cause deflection in the new floor covering, which will not be stable.
3. Check the Temperature and Moisture Levels
If you are installing new flooring, it is important to determine the temperature and moisture levels of the subfloor and wood floors. This will help ensure that your installation will be as successful as possible.
Temperature and humidity can have a dramatic impact on the appearance of your flooring, as well as your comfort level. High temperatures make summers feel sweltering, while low humidity creates discomfort in winter months. Knowing how to manage these optimum levels can help you keep your facility comfortable in any season.
A hand-held electrical tool, called a moisture meter, can be useful for measuring the moisture levels of floors and subfloors. You can find a variety of models available from many hardware stores.
Moisture meters can be used to check the moisture content of both concrete and wood floors. The most common tests for concrete are the calcium chloride test and the relative humidity (RH) test.
The RH test should be done at least three times per 1,000 square feet of slab subfloor. A DIY testing kit with all the tools you need can be purchased at most hardware stores.
Once you have determined the correct temperature and moisture levels, it is important to acclimate your flooring before installation. This will help prevent problems, including cupping and bowing of the wood.
Taking plenty of readings is also important, so you can get an accurate representation of the overall moisture content (MC) of the entire floor. You can do this by dividing the readings you have taken by the number of boards in your entire floor.
Regardless of which method you use, it is always important to follow the instructions that are provided by your meter manufacturer. Those instructions can be found on the meter’s label or in the manual that came with it.
4. Arrange for the Disconnection of Gas Appliances and Electronics
If your new flooring is going to be installed in rooms that have gas hookups or large electronics, it’s important to arrange for these items to be disconnected before the aforementioned job gets under way. This may be an inconvenient task, but it’s one that is well worth the effort if you want to keep everyone safe and sound.
Fortunately, PSE&G’s Technical Support team has an arsenal of tools to help get you there. The most notable of which is the Gas Appliances and Gas Piping manual. The aforementioned manual was designed to help you and your contractors make the right choices for your home and your family. This manual is a must read for any homeowner who has a gas appliance in their home. For more information on how to best utilize this resource, visit our website or contact a friendly customer service representative. Our experts are standing by to answer any questions you may have about the Gas Appliances and Gas Piping manual and to point you in the direction of other helpful resources. By following our tips and utilizing these savvy tools, you’ll be ready to take on your next home improvement project with the confidence that you’ve got everything under control.
5. Verify the New Floor Height
When a homeowner is installing new flooring, it is important to make sure the floor is level. Even a small deviation from level can lead to serious damage that could require expensive repairs.
To verify the new floor height, it is a good idea to use a 4- to 6-foot beam level. Place the level on the floor and mark the lines with a felt-tipped marker. If the bubble in the horizontal tube floats between the two vertical lines, the floor is level. If it doesn’t, adjust the level until the bubble floats between the vertical lines.
If you’re installing hardwood flooring, it’s a good idea to remove any baseboards and trim that may be in the way of a proper installation. This will help the installers get their tools and materials into the right position.
It is also a good idea to remove all doors within the room where the new flooring is to be installed. This will allow the professionals to access the area without having to knock on or break the doors.
* Arrange to disconnect any gas hookups or electrical outlets in rooms where the new flooring is to be installed. For some homeowners, this can be done themselves; however, if you have any doubts about disconnecting the gas or electricity safely, arrange for this to be handled by a professional.
When a homeowner is installing new flooring, they are often unaware of the need to verify the new floor height. This can be due to a number of reasons, but it’s a good idea to do this before installation begins. It will prevent any issues once the flooring is installed and it will save time and money in the long run.