Things To Do Before Installing A Hardwood Floor

Installing a hardwood floor is one of the most effective ways to enhance the aesthetics of and add value to your home. There are several benefits of hardwood flooring. It is strong and durable, low maintenance, and cost-effective. No wonder it is one of the most popular types of flooring.

They say good preparation is half the battle won. Before starting your hardwood flooring installation project, take these steps to set up for success.

Gather the Right Tools

If you are tackling the project yourself, you will need the right tools for the job. You will first need to determine what tools are needed. All boxes of prefinished hardwood flooring come with instructions that include a list of tools needed. Gather these tools. If you do not have one or more of these tools, talk to a friend or family member who has just wrapped up a flooring installation project. You can also purchase or rent many of these tools at a local hardware store or rental company.

Remove Baseboards

Hardwood flooring should be placed under baseboards. Remove your baseboard before installing the flooring. Reinstall it after you lay the flooring.

Follow these steps to remove a baseboard:

• Check the corners and tops of the molding for sealants. To prevent the paint and wood from pulling away with the trim when you start prying, cut through the sealant with a putty knife
• Check whether the inside corners are mitered or coped. If your corners are coped, remove the coped side first to avoid damaging the other piece
• Loosen up the nails holding the baseboard in its place
• Remove the baseboard with a pry bar. Be careful not to damage the drywall
• Use a pair of pliers to remove any nails left in the trim

Steps to reinstall a baseboard:

• Apply a fresh coat of paint to cover any unsightly marks
• Use a pin nail gun to reinstall every baseboard.
• If a nail starts to bend, pull it out and renail the board in a different spot
• Use spackle or wood putty to fix damages. Caulk the top edge and corners
• Touch up the paint to cover caulk and putty.

Remove Doors

It is almost impossible to correctly install a hardwood floor without removing doors in the room. Be very careful when removing a door from its hinge. Stack every entry under a separate blanket to avoid scratches. Take the doors to a different area of your home.

Contain Dust

Like all construction, removing and installing new floors will create dust.  Seal off the installation area by covering the doorway(s) with a plastic sheet and painters in Ann Arbor. Alternatively, use plastic curtains or a ZipWall to contain sanding dust.

Check Subfloor for Level

All hardwoods require a relatively flat floor. These specifications are found in the installation instructions. Check the floor with a string or straight edge to ensure the floor is within the stated specifications. If not, sanding or filling will be required to bring the subfloor into tolerance.

Other Items To Do

Some of the other detail you need to do before installing your new hardwood floor are

• Undercut door jams to accommodate the new floor.
• Measure and check layout to make sure floor is balanced within main lines of sight. You do not want to end up with a ¾ inch cut at the one side of the room.
• Sweep and clean the subfloor.
• Take your time. Make sure your first rows are straight. If they are not straight, the whole installation will be off.

Rugworks deals in different types of hardwood flooring.  We are a top-rated flooring company in Sonoma County. Our flooring products are both aesthetically appealing and functional. With proper care and maintenance, our flooring products last for years. To consult one of our experts, call (707) 935-0648.