| Frequently Asked Questions |
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Installation Questions |
| Q. What is the acceptable moisture content in subfloors before installation of wood flooring? |
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In regard to wood substrates the moisture content should not exceed 14% and should not be more than 5% different than the flooring being installed. This is why acclimation is so important. When installing over concrete there are several methods to test the slab for moisture. The recommended method for moisture testing is done with the Phenolphthalein available on every container of TribondTM Adhesive. Chip the concrete and apply 3 or more drops of the solu-tion to the test area. DO NOT APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF THE CONCRETE AS THE TEST WILL NOT BE RELIABLE. If the color changes to pink or red the presence of moisture is indicated. Test several areas especially near exterior walls and walls containing plumbing. Use the recommended Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter Meter to identify if the concrete has a low enough moisture content to begin installation. Concrete moisture content must not exceed 4.5% as read on the upper scale of this meter. Visual checks are not reliable. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN EACH CARTON OF FLOORING FOR RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH MOISTURE. Other methods are that you can simply lay a piece of plastic on the floor and tape it so that no air can get under the plastic. Leave it down for 24-48 hours. If there is sweat or droplets of water under the plastic the subfloor is not acceptable. A second is to use a calcium chloride test. Follow the manufacturer’s instruc-tions. If the concrete tests higher than 3 Ibs, the slab is not acceptable. There are several types of meters for testing concrete moisture. Meters should read below 15% for an acceptable slab. |
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| Q. Can you sand and refinish engineered products? |
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Yes. A professional sanding crew can sqcessfully sand an engineered hardwood floor. Sand and refinish should only be used to change color of floor. |
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| Q. Can I glue a solid parquet down below grade? |
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No. All solid products must be installed on or above grade without exception. |
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| Q. Can I apply a coat of finish on a newly installed factory finished product? |
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You may apply a coat of finish, but by doing so you void the manufacturer’s finish warranty. |
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| Q. Bruce’s Dura-Luster finish has four coats of urethane and some other brands have more than four coats. Does this mean the other brands have a superior finish? |
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No. The number of coats of urethane applied is not relevant to how thick the final/total urethane finish layer is. |
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| Q. What is meant by “screening a floor”? |
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Screening is a process by which the floor is abraded by an orbital sander/buffer to allow for adhesion of the new coats of urethane finish applied. |
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| Q. Do I need to leave an expansion space at the ends of a 3/4” hardwood floor? |
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No. Expansion occurs across the face, not lengthwise. |
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| Q. Do I need a resin paper or 15 lb. felt paper under 3/4” hardwood flooring? |
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Neither. Generations ago it was used to prevent drafts from coming through the floor. A miscon-ception is that it stops squeaks. Most installers now use it to keep the subfloor clean and for ease of sliding boards. |
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| Q. Which products need to be acclimated? |
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All flooring products must be acclimated to the living environment in which they are being installed. |
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| Q. What is a slip tongue (spline) and where do I use it? |
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A slip tongue is a piece of material used to create a tongue to reverse direction of the flooring product being installed. |
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| Q. What is face-nailing vs. blind nailing? |
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Face-nailing is a process by which the product is fastened down by driving a nail through a pre-drilled hole in the face of the product into the subfloor. Blind nailing is done by a flooring nailer/stapler that places a cleat or staple at an angle through the tongue into the subfloor. |
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| Q. Can I use construction adhesive on a board replacement for 3/4” hardwood flooring? |
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Yes: or the replacement plank can be face nailed. |
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| Q. Can I glue down 3/4” solid hardwood flooring? |
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No, because the expansion and contraction that is possible in a solid product can in time loosen, or break the glue bond, resulting in a product failure. |
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| Q. How often do you screen and coat a floor? |
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This depends on the amount of traffic the floor will receive. |
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