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INSTALLING HARDWOOD FLOOR

Uneven Concrete Base

The slab I want to cover with wood flooring is not perfectly flat. How do I fix it?
Check a concrete floor for flatness by laying a straight 10-foot-long board on edge in various places on the floor. If there are any gaps of more than 1/8 inch between the floor and the board, you'll need to fill them in with floor patching material. Shave down high ridges with a rented angle grinder.

*Level the floor, using a straight 2x4 to spread patching material over low spots.

Preserving a Wood Floor

I'm installing new hardwood floors. Is it true that the climate in my home can affect this flooring?
Yes, it is true. To maintain wood floors, keep the relative humidity inside your home reasonably constant, ideally in the 40 to 60 percent range. Depending on where you live, you may have to run a humidifier in the winter to keep this level up and a dehumidifier in the summer to keep the level down. A properly finished floor should hold up well in these conditions.

Be aware that damp basements, concrete slabs, and crawl spaces can cause high humidity and wood expansion. When things dry out, wood may shrink and crack. Spilled water on the floor can cause problems, too, as can having a furnace directly below a wood floor.

Wood over Concrete

I want to lay a wood floor over concrete, but I'm concerned about moisture. Is there a way to protect the wood?
You can glue a wood floor over concrete as long as the concrete remains dry; if moisture is a factor, you'll need to install a floating floor. To determine your need for a floating wood floor, do a "wetness test" by attaching some 2 x 2-foot sheets of polyethylene plastic to the concrete. Use duct tape to seal the sheets down. If after 24 hours the covered areas are dark or damp, you need to install a floating floor.

A floating floor is not nailed or glued, but instead "floats" on a 1/8-inch foam pad that you lay over the concrete. When the floor expands or contracts with changes in humidity, it can move freely, so gaps don't develop between individual planks. A plastic vapor barrier installed under the foam pad prevents moisture in the concrete from reaching the wood.

To allow for expansion, you need to leave a 1/2-inch gap (larger in extremely humid climates) around the floor's perimeter. Local flooring dealers should be able to tell you how big the gap should be if you give them the dimensions of the room.

Wood Floor in the Kitchen

I want to install a wood floor when we remodel our kitchen. My husband says a wood floor won't hold up in the kitchen. Is he correct?
Wood kitchen floors are becoming more common nowadays because the finishes available are tougher than ever and hold up to heavy foot traffic and spills. Of course, you still need to take reasonable care of the floor. When you're out shopping for flooring, tell the salespeople you speak with that you want wood flooring to install in a kitchen. This will help them narrow down the selection of products.

When choosing wood flooring for the kitchen, avoid floorboards that have beveled edges. They collect dirt and are hard to keep clean. Also avoid dark stain colors because they show wear more readily.

To keep the floor looking good, wipe up spills immediately. Place throw rugs in front of the sink, dishwasher, and refrigerator to reduce the potential for water stains.

The biggest enemy of wood floors—in the kitchen or any other room—is sand and dirt from outdoors. You'll want to vacuum frequently. Put dirt-trapping mats at door entrances, place soft protectors on the bottoms of furniture, and wear outdoor shoes as little as possible inside the house.

Although today's finishes are tougher and more durable than finishes from the past, your wood kitchen floor will need to be refinished every 3 to 10 years. As long as the finish doesn't wear down to the bare wood, you can sand it lightly and apply new polyurethane on top of the old. Never use wax on a varnished wood floor because it will prevent any new finish from adhering.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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TITLE: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture Store

Home Improvement Category: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself

Shopping Mall: Home Improvement offers do-it-yourself Home Improvement guide and store, Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself Store

Home Improvement Topics: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself