| Home improvement can add that special | | | | - Wetting the painted area first before |
| something to your home environment, help you | | | | scraping it off will help to keep dust to a |
| make use of your space and of course often | | | | minimum. Wet paint causes less dust than |
| add value. If your budget will allow, you may | | | | flaky paint. |
| wish to pay for experts to come in and do the | | | | |
| job for you. On the other hand you may be | | | | - Open all boxes of wood before starting to |
| somebody for whom home improvement is an | | | | lay the wood to check for defects but also |
| enjoyable and rewarding project to undertake | | | | insures you get a picture of the color and |
| yourself. | | | | texture variation before you start. |
| | | | |
| Of course some tasks are more difficult than | | | | - Establishing your baseline and the |
| others. For instance hardwood floor | | | | direction of the floor is a crucial step. Be |
| installation is not as straightforward as you | | | | meticulous in using measuring and marking |
| think. Installing quality, durable flooring | | | | lines. Remember the longest outside wall |
| requires some preparation and if you choose | | | | gives the best visual effect. |
| to install it yourself it is wise to get as | | | | |
| much support as possible. Many internet sites | | | | - Floor boards are initially laid using a |
| offer advice in detail. | | | | "staggered staircase' method i.e. 3 boards |
| | | | fitted closely together with boards 2 and 3 |
| Below are some brief, useful tips for | | | | being 6 inches shorter than the first board |
| hardwood floor installation: | | | | and placed above the first board. To ensure |
| | | | the boards do not lose their tight grip use |
| - Hardwood is a natural product and may have | | | | 3-M blue tape 2 inches thick to secure them |
| defects. When ordering wood check for | | | | and ensure that excess glue is cleaned off |
| defects, either natural or from the | | | | the boards and your shoes before you go on to |
| manufacturing process before buying. To be on | | | | add more boards. Being meticulous with |
| the safe side order an extra 5 - 10% to allow | | | | details can make the process quicker and |
| for any overlooked problems. | | | | easier. |
| | | | |
| - Remember some urethane -cured hardwood | | | | - Professional installers recommend rolling |
| glues come with bond only warranties but | | | | the floor with a 75lb roller. The advantage |
| there are glues that do not have moisture | | | | of this often overlooked process is that you |
| protection warranties. Check whether you need | | | | can quickly remedy any air pockets or hollow |
| glue with moisture protection. | | | | spots before the glue has dried and apply |
| | | | additional needed pressure to deal with them. |
| - Ensure the site is structurally sound and | | | | |
| completed before beginning work. | | | | - If you have taken the time and money to |
| | | | invest in hardwood flooring it is wise to |
| - As hardwood is a porous material and will | | | | make sure you take care and maintain this |
| contract and expand, all attempts must be | | | | material. Common-sense tells you to keep the |
| made to control the humidity of the room. | | | | floors clean particularly from water, food |
| Painted walls should be dry. Exterior | | | | and grease. Use only leading brand cleaner |
| drainage should be pointed away from the | | | | made for pre-finished hardwood floors and do |
| house. Wood should be delivered as early as | | | | not use polish or oil-based wax. Reduce |
| possible before installation to allow it to | | | | damage to the flooring by using floor |
| acclimatize to the air. Although the product | | | | protectors underneath all furniture and avoid |
| is engineered to withstand moisture, it is | | | | walking on floors with footwear that will |
| advisable to check moisture levels prior to | | | | damage it like stiletto heels. |
| working and consult manufacturer's | | | | |
| recommendations re: acceptable levels of | | | | The above points are by no means |
| moisture. | | | | comprehensive but are aimed at highlighting |
| | | | the small details to bear in mind when |
| - Ensure that you prepare for your own safety | | | | installing your hardwood flooring. When |
| and the protection of the wood during | | | | looking for extra support particularly on the |
| installation. Protecting your eyes with | | | | internet, look for a reputable company who |
| goggles is a must! Use a back brace for | | | | not only offer guidelines for installation |
| lifting. Soft rubber pads or cushion knee | | | | but who offer a hardwood floor installation |
| pads prevent abrasions to the floor surface. | | | | video online to help you do as professional a |
| | | | job as is possible. |