Jobsite Preparation & Maintenance
About TouchWood Flooring
General Hardwood Questions
Hardwood Installation
Jobsite Preparation & Maintenance
1. What type of subfloor do I need?
A minimum thickness of 5/8″ plywood or 3/4″ OSB is required. (standard builder subfloor). Hardwood floors should not be installed over particleboard.
2. Do I require additional subfloor to install hardwood?
In some cases additional subfloor needs to be added to raise the floor to meet an adjoining flooring’s height. (Most linoleum or tile floors have an additional subfloor beneath whereas carpeted areas generally do not. Rather than add subfloor to level an area, the additional subfloor potentially can be removed.)
3. What humidity levels are recommended in the home?
We recommend that humidity levels be kept as constant as possible. The humidity should be set between 35-45%. A good humidifier is required if you put in wood floors. Do not have the humidity set so high that there is moisture building up on your windows.
4. I have squeaks now under my carpet? How is this remedied?
Once carpet and underlay have been removed, an inspection should follow of your subfloor. Inserting screws through your subfloor into your joists can repair most squeaks. We will be stapling every 6-9 inches along every row. This will substantially strengthen your subfloor. Squeaks may reappear at different times of year. Squeaky subfloors cannot be warranted.
5. What goes first, Painting or Hardwood?
Either or. If painting is done prior to installation of hardwood, keep some paint on hand for touchups. Our crews try to be careful not to damage walls however, we are using saws and tools indoors and the potential for damage is there. Painting is sometimes easier to touchup rather than having to come back to repair a floor that has been marked up by the painting crews. No painting should be done once hardwood is delivered for acclimation or during installation due to increased moisture in the air.
6. In what order should we install our new floor coverings?
We are getting hardwood, carpet, linoleum and tile?
Linoleum, Hardwood or Tile, then Carpet.
7. Should my new cabinets be installed before my new hardwood?
Although we like the ease of installation if cabinets are not installed, generally there is less damage to the hardwood if the cabinets are installed prior to the hardwood flooring. Make sure you let the kitchen company know that you are installing hardwood so they can make the adjustments. Toekicks to be left off until hardwood installation is complete.
8. Do my baseboards have to come off?
Yes they do. They are usually raised up from their original place hiding unsightly paint ridges. If removal of baseboards presents special consideration such as in a historical home, a trim molding can be applied to the existing baseboard.
9. Do my casings around my doorframes need to come off?
No. Touchwood will undercut your casings and slide our wood underneath to give a clean, finished look.
10. Is there a lot of dust?
Yes. Although not near as much dust as a finished on site floor. Refer to our Job Site Preparation List, which is given out at time of sale, to help prepare for the construction that is about to take place in your home. We charge 30% more to cut outside or in the garage.
11. How do I care for my hardwood?
For best results follow manufacturer’s recommendations and products. Other products such as felt pads “Feltac” will further protect your new floor against scratching. Touchwood sells a wide variety of protective materials such as “Feltac”, “Glide ‘n Guard” appliance tracks, cleaners and cleaning kits. It is also ideal to keep your home at 35-45% humidity level.
12. What happens if my floor gets wet?
Wipe spills and puddles up as they happen and you will not have any problems with your hardwood floor. If you have a slow leak from the dishwasher or fridge, the boards will start to “cup”. This should go back down with time if the leak is corrected.
13. What if I spill a glass of milk on the floor? Will it smell?
Once again, wipe up spill. If milk runs into the bevel and down inside the wood, do not despair. If wood can naturally breathe, it will dissipate and not cause any odor, bacteria or mildew.
14. Are the bevels hard to clean?
Some are. The deeper the bevel, the more chance for dirt or crumbs to roll into them. The smaller bevel will collect little or no dirt: a yearly cleaning may be required. Sweep or vacuum to remove grit before you wash floors. A damp cloth is sometimes required to wipe up sticky substances such as jam.
15. Generally how much notice do you need to bring the materials in and to have them installed?
Usually, we require 3-6 weeks from the time you place the order to when it can be installed. The more notice given, the more flexible we can be at time of scheduling your installation. Custom manufactured items require 4-6 weeks notice.
16. What can I do to prepare for the installation?
Touchwood Flooring provides all clients with a Preparation Checklist to help get ready for the construction about to take place in their home. Unless we are doing some of the prep, we would like to see the room cleared out, carpet and baseboards removed and a clean, level broom swept floor.
