Installing a hardwood floor is not only a great way to improve the house; it is also a good way to challenge one’s sense of determination and creativity. Installing hardwood floors have become a trend for the past years due to their stability, smooth and appealing look, and warming effect to the rest of the house. However, the process of installation can be tedious, though more homeowners insist on installing the floors on their own to cut on expensive professional layout costs.
Most hardwood floors are installed on concrete, although there are surfaces in which the flooring planks are set. It is thus important to know how to install hardwood planks properly so that they will last for a long time, and not be subject to various risks such as rotting, ill fitting and premature removal.
How To Install Hardwood Floors On Concrete
When planning to install hardwood flooring on a flat surface such as concrete, the first step would be to clean the surface first so that it will be free from dust and other residue. A dirty surface will not be able to hold the planks securely, as the dirt will offset the functions of the adhesive to be used on the planks (such as wood glue).
Regardless of the type of surface, it is an imperative to search of cracks, bumps and hollow spaces on the flat surface before they are placed with the hardwood floors. These flaws should be evened out by means of patching using cement, or through sanding.
Once the uneven parts have been resolved, it is recommended to apply some moisture barrier on the surface to seal the concrete and protect the hardwood from rotting or getting air. This will also help in securing the hardwood planks once they are placed on the targeted surface.
Installing the Hardwood Planks
Once the moisture barrier has dried on the floor surface (it takes about 16 hours for the application to dry), the planks may now be installed. The first step to this is by applying the adhesive to the floor starting on the edge of the longest wall of the house. Set the wood flooring directly on the adhesive for it to stick and stay secure. Do the same procedure for the rest of the planks.
While setting the planks over the adhesive, remove the excess adhesive by means of rubbing it with a rag soaked in mineral spirits. This will make hardwood surface smoother and prevent it from getting brittle.
Once the flooring is completely pressed on top of the surface, do a test drive by walking on all the planks of the floor. This is a good way to check of the planks have been secured properly on the concrete surface. The planks that pop out mean that they were not held securely during the process, thus they have to be pressed again.
After 12 to 15 hours, you may now nail the round molding to the wall so that it will conceal the expansion joint created by the installation of the hardwood planks. With the process complete, you get to enjoy a new flooring that will last for a good number of years (even longer when the flooring is well maintained).