Installing Hardwood Floors The Right Way
By John Reynolds.
You’re ready to take the plunge: you have made your product selection and the workmen are coming out to install that long-dreamed of hardwood flooring. Congratulations! Here are some tips and pointers for you as you get ready.
At the very beginning, you want to involve the whole family. You want to sit down, have a family meeting, and tell them just exactly what will be happening. You see, this whole experience is going to last several days at least – with plenty of noise, confusion, and dust, and your meeting will give them a chance to ask questions and generally to prepare.
And before those workmen arrive, you need to go into each room that will be worked on, and with your family’s help move EVERYTHING that is in there – out. And I do mean everything. Every scrap of furniture, and all the drapes, curtains and mini-blinds must also be removed as well.
Why do this? Because having this stuff in the room will hinder their work – or it could get damaged while they are in there. Make sure that everything that is moved out can be left in it’s storage location for a while, as you will not be able to go into the room while the finish on your new flooring is drying and curing.
Do you have pets? If so, you will need to take special precautions. The best solution is to allow a trusted neighbor, friend or family member to care for them for the interim. You don’t want Fido or Princess getting their hairy paws on sticky floor finish, do you?
Speaking of finish, after your hardwood flooring has been installed and the workmen have sanded and applied finish, the flooring will have to dry for at least several days. During this time, you must not walk on the floors at all (and that goes for the pets as well). How long you will have to stay off of your floor depends on the type of wood and the type of finish that was used.
But once your flooring has dried and cured sufficiently, you can then move your furniture safely back in. When you do, take care to put small floor protectors under the legs and bottoms of the furniture. Small rugs and pads can also be used.
Also, be careful that you don’t walk on your floors with hard rubber soles, on in spikes or cleats (such as are found on athletic shoes). Ladies should not walk in high heels as well. If you need to protect an entrance way or stairway from the high traffic in those areas, you can put down rugs or mats – this will help keep your hardwood floors looking like new.
aboutthe author: John Reynolds talks abouthome repair issues and Restoring Hardwood Floors Learn more aboutAnderson Hardwood Floors by visiting his website.
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