Do I need to fill slab cracks before hardwood install??
gonnabuild
6 years ago
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G & S Floor Service
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRelated Discussions
what do I use to fill cracks on old hard wood flooring
Comments (2)Thanks, bus-driver. I showed this to my son & he did try this rope method on one of the spaces. He used filler on the other spaces & we have pretty much readied the floor for finishing. I appreciate you help. sahsah...See MoreHardwood floor installed before HVAC - now problems
Comments (19)Thanks Charles -- I did look at the guidelines that you mentioned. However, it refers to gaps 'at completion' of the job and not within the 1 year warranty period. Everything I've read indicates that installing hardwood without controlling the temp / humidity for what the living conditions will be is a big no no. Re: your comment about the 'difference in moisture content of the wood floor & subfloor' -- if they are both swollen from the high humidity, then they would both shrink under the normal living conditions right? Do they both shrink at the same rate, etc? There are numerous gaps, face checking (cracks on the tops of boards -- some with the grain and some against the grain), and gaps under the baseboards (where I can easily insert a penny). I thought this was a GREAT article that directly discusses the topic of installing with no HVAC: http://www.floordaily.net/floorfocus/challenges_involved_with_installing_hardwood_wood.aspx I noticed many installers recommended waiting or turning down the job if necessary. It sounds like my builder and the installer both made a bad decision. So, isn't this something their insurance would cover? I just want my floor fixed -- not with a band-aid for a short term solution (until the warranty runs out). I just want a good quality floor and to enjoy our new home. Sigh............See MoreHow long new concrete slab need to dry b4 install engineer Hardwood?
Comments (1)http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2256276/how-long-should-foundation-concrete-cure?n=48 long discussion but heres a quote: macv Concrete does not actually harden by "curing" nor is there any point in time when concrete would be considered "cured." Concrete naturally hardens over time by "hydration", the chemical reaction between portland cement and water in the concrete mix. "Curing" describes a procedure that an installer may choose to use to insure more complete hydration of the portland cement (and therefore greater concrete strength) by controlling moisture loss during the critical early part of the hydration process (ie 3 to 7 days). In the case of a residential footing curing might consist of simply covering the concrete for 3 days. In any case the curing procedure would not normally continue beyond 5 or 7 days depending on the temperature of the air. 28 days has nothing to do with the maximum strength of concrete; it's just an arbitrary time chosen because the strength gained after that time period is normally not important from a design point of view and there has to be a standard measuring point in order to allow enforceable specifications and uniform strength testing. As long as moisture and a favorable temperature are present for hydration of the cement, the strength of new concrete continues to increase long after the early curing phase and the 28 day mark. Since the actual strength of the concrete in a residential footing is not particularly critical, testing is not required so the 28 day mark has no practical relevance in the field. In fact, if the concrete hasn't reached the minimum strength required by code in 7 days, it's unlikely to get there. The IRC requires a concrete footing to have a minimum compression strength of 2,500 psi which is a low value and easy to achieve (most specifications would be higher). If a concrete footing is reasonably protected for 3 days, it should have reached 70% of the minimum required strength and it should reach 100% by the 5th day. A lot of what they talk about is if the concrete is cured enough to continue construction on it. The general consensus in that thread is that it takes 2-3 days before continuing construction but I personally would wait at least a couple weeks if not a month in your application so extra moisture may release before the floor is laid. My biggest concern is with the moisture of the new slab affecting your floor. Any moisture that gets in engineered flooring will ruin them and cause expansion/buckling...See MoreInstall Refrigerator and Dishwasher Before Finishing Hardwood Floors?
Comments (23)Dishwasher and stove you could use felt bottoms under the feet. Fridge is a concern. Perhaps these would help. http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/material-handling/hand-trucks-dollies/dollies-machinery-furniture-slides/ez-moves-4-foot-pull-slides-48-l-x-5-w-set-of-2...See MoreG & S Floor Service
6 years agoSJ McCarthy
6 years agoG & S Floor Service
6 years agoglennsfc
6 years ago
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