All flooring installers have encountered situations
throughout their careers that demanded special and immediate attention. Perhaps
it was a problem that called for immediate resolution, or perhaps the product
arrived somewhat differently than expected.
It may also have been an area that did not match what was ordered or any
number of situations in which the professional installers always appear to find
a way to make it work.
Installation
tips are very helpful; flooring installers sharing with others makes everyone’s
work easier. We have received an abundance of ideas from installers who gladly
share techniques that work for them. It
is possible that they may not work for you.
But, just in case you encounter a situation on the job; perhaps you’ll
remember someone’s proven method that worked for them just at the right moment
to achieve the ultimate goal, customer satisfaction.
Ceramic
Tile Installation Tips
Roy Davison (MO)
It is very important when grouting
ceramic floor tile, to let the grout firm up before cleaning the film off the
tile. If there are wider joints that take longer to set up or if there is
concern that the tile will not clean up well if you wait, try
“blanketing.” Use a wet, but well-wrung
towel and drag it diagonally across the face of the tile. The wet towel will clean the face of the tile
and float over the joints without disturbing them. It is also very important to have the towel
wrinkle-free and flat to clean the face of the tile properly.
Robert Henry (MO)
When installing sheet vinyl over
concrete, prevent air bubbles from forming under the vinyl by allowing the
adhesive more open time than normal.
This allows the gases to flash off instead of being trapped under the
vinyl. When installing over wood
flooring, the adhesive can also dry through the floor so the gases are not
trapped. This is not the case with
concrete. Another big help is when
walking down the vinyl, use a wide push broom to push out trapped air before
actually “walking” on the vinyl that is to be glued.
Hardwood Flooring
Installation Tips
Jon Namba (UT)
Having difficulty with adhesive
haze on prefinished hardwood floors?
Urethane adhesive remover works much better than paint thinner to remove
the moisture-cured urethane on prefinished hardwood floors. Apply a small
amount of urethane adhesive remover on a white cotton towel. Wipe off adhesive residue from the floor
surface. Next, use a dry, clean white cotton towel to wipe up any remaining
residue. For convenience, several
manufacturers have small towels moistened with urethane adhesive remover.
Laminate Flooring
Installation Tips
Bradley Bitter (PA)
When installing laminate flooring,
shave the small lip on the (female) end of the plank to help in areas like
toe-kicks where you cannot get the board in at an angle. This procedure allows you to snap the board
in at a level position.
Installation Tips from the Pros - Part 3-Ceramic, Hardwood and Laminate
June 11, 2009
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