Tag Archives: replacing

Replacing Flooring: Prepare the Old Before Installing the New

by admin

You purchased new flooring for your home. You’re excited about how the room will look. You have a limited budget, so you plan on installing the new surface yourself. Carpet and carpet padding can be pulled away from the base or sub-floor, rolled up, and taken to the curb or the dump. Tile or vinyl can be chipped away and pried off the sub-floor, loaded into a garbage can and taken out, too. But what then? Is that all there is to preparing for installation? Unfortunately, the answer is a no. If lining it up, connecting it, and fastening it down was all there was to it, there would be far fewer contractors making a living. The primary step in any replacement is removing the old material and flaws first.

The key to lovely, long lasting flooring reaches not over the surface but under it.

Laying new tile is time consuming enough without having to replace it again in just a few years, because the sub-floor or slab wasn’t prepared properly, and cracks, sliding, or snapping of material has wasted time, effort, and money.

The surface receiving the new material must be clean and absolutely smooth. Even small grains of dirt or sand can void a seal or connection, as well as create gaps and bulges that stress the new material. If placing tile, for instance, over old, worn hardwood planks, ensure the seams between the boards are sealed level; nails and screws are sunk below the surface of the wood and filled with a wood fill compound, and the boards themselves are level, well sanded, and thoroughly cleaned, including washing—not just sweeping or dusting. Also, ensure the receiving surface is completely dry; allow sufficient time for air drying before laying a new surface on top of it.

Caution areas include slab sub-floors, walls, and entry ways.

Slabs require additional waterproofing protection before laying new flooring on top of it.

Most contractors automatically place a material over the slab between the concrete and the new material to allow moisture drawn up through the slab to evaporate before attaching itself to the underside of the new material.

Especially in older homes, vinyl tiles and linoleum was laid under the edges of walls and cabinets. Removing that layer can destabilize the structure and should be avoided. Instead,cut the old tile or linoleum as close to the resting edge as possible; if the material is soft enough, carefully angle a retractable blade down and in to cut the material under the edge but leave the remaining floor material in place. Gently slip the new flooring just under the structure’s edge to begin installation. Some experts recommend not using glue on the first one-half inch of the new floor material to allow removal next time the material is replaced, but always leave the original under the bulk structure alone.

When replacing entry way flooring, special challenges occur. Because the door frame is set into the wall structure, the new wood, tile, or carpet must allow the door to open and close fully, lest problems arise. You should replace the sub-floor or build up the sub-floor to allow proper spacing and depth. If that’s not possible, trimming the bottom of the door, if possible, is the next option. If you have a metal door, you may have to remove the entire door frame and adjust the opening to allow a higher floor clearance, depending on the floor material you’ve chosen.

If you choose to raise the door frame, you may want to install a support post under the house or otherwise brace the house frame. Tensions and tolerances are determined for the original framing configuration, and adjusting the height of a doorway may degrade stability without the additional support.

Replacing Flood Damaged Flooring in Melbourne

by admin

If you have unfortunately been the victim of indoor flooding which has damaged your old flooring in Melbourne, you may be looking for a replacement. Hardwood flooring is a beautiful and dynamic way to update the look of your home, replace your damaged floor and to add a durable replacement.

The process of replacing your current flooring with timber floorboards in Melbourne can begin as soon as you make a phone call to inquire about flooring. When you speak with a professional, they will tell you that having hardwood flooring in Melbourne can be an excellent choice. They will set up an appointment to look at your home in order to decide which type of flooring is right for you. They will also tell you the numerous benefits of installing this type of flooring in your home.

The benefits of having timber floorboards in Melbourne are infinite.

Not only can timber flooring add value to your home, this type of flooring can last a lifetime. It is very stylish, and the durability of good quality hardwood can last longer than any other type of flooring on the market today. Even if the floors get scratches of scuffs, timber flooring can be sanded and repaired quickly and easily, making them look brand new. You certainly couldn’t say that about other types of flooring!

Choosing a professional company for hardwood flooring in Melbourne should bring service beyond compare, especially if you have damage from an unexpected flood. A good flooring company will remove your old, damaged flooring and make sure your room is completely dried out before installing any new flooring. It is imperative that all of the moisture is removed prior to setting up the base for timber flooring.

If there is still moisture, it could warp the floor permanently. Once the floor is completely dry, you will be able to choose batten or plywood to lie under your new floor. This ensures there is a flat base to lay the boards. Depending on the type of flooring you choose and the size of the room, you could be walking on your new floor within a few days or just a week after removal and installation begins.

With different grades and strengths of hardwood flooring available, deciding which one is best for you will depend on your lifestyle and family. The strength of hardwood is decided based on a scale called Janka hardness. The higher the Janka number, the harder the wood, which in turn means the more durable it is. If you have children or pets that may be rough on a floor, you would want to get a wood type that is high scoring on the Janka test.  With normal wear and tear, you can go with something with a lower score on the Janka test. Your dealer or installer will be able to give you more information.

When installing new flooring in Melbourne, choosing the best installer can be the difference between a lifelong floor and one that shifts or moves after installation. Reading reviews from other customers or asking friends or family where they got their flooring will be the best way to find a quality installer in Melbourne.

Looking for the best range of hardwood flooring Melbourne has to offer? Timber Flooring Group has the widest range and the best prices, with years of industry knowledge and experience Timber Flooring Group are the flooring Melbourne specialists. Contact TFG today.

More Replace Floors Articles

Learn few things before replacing your floor

by admin

One of the first things that you need to consider is whether you are going to be hiring one of the flooring contractors in Mississauga that is available. Hiring a contractor can help you to cut down on the amount of time that it takes to complete the project. In addition, they can have a significant impact on how clean the overall project happens to be as they will take more time to close off the rest of the house so that dust is not going to be a problem from the project. Although it is not always necessary for you to hire flooring contractors, particularly if you consider yourself to be a handy individual, they can be of benefit and you should consult with one before the project is started.

Regardless of whether you are hiring one of the flooring contractors in Mississauga or not, you should make sure that you prepare the home as much as possible before the work begins.

Any electronics that happen to be in the area should be disconnected and removed from the area. In fact, it is a good idea to package those items, particularly if you’re going to leave them within the work area. Electronics do not do well with the dust that takes place during the flooring project and you certainly would not want to sacrifice those items while doing your floor.

Additional items should be considered before the installation day, such as removing items from the top of tables and dressers and making sure that everything is up and off of the floor. If you’re going to be hiring one of the flooring contractors in Mississauga, be sure to discuss this with them in advance so that you can have everything to their specifications.

It is likely that they are going to move the larger pieces of furniture if you use them for the flooring job but you would not want them to be responsible for the smaller, more delicate items.

Finally, you should consider the valuables that are in the area. Even if you are hiring one of the flooring contractors in Mississauga that are licensed and bonded, you should still protect your valuables because they may have sentimental value as well. If possible, you will be living in another area of the home during the time that the project is being done but it may also be necessary for you to move out of the home, particularly if you are asthmatic or have any other breathing problems. Discuss this with the flooring contractors that you are using to ensure that everything is set up properly and that you and your family are as safe as possible.

Jazz albart the author of this article is a contractor in mississauga and presently writing on home renovation ideas. Read his reviews about http://www.the-reno-man.com/”>contractors in Mississauga .

Related Replace Floors Articles