Brantford Flooring Installation: 4 Mistakes to Avoid

Few home improvement projects are as unforgiving as flooring installation. Whether you lay down hardwood, tile, or laminate, any mishaps are ones you will have to live with for the life of your floors. Here are four of the worst mistakes and how you can avoid making them when installing laminate flooring in Brantford.

1. Ignoring the Subfloor’s Condition

The subfloor is sandwiched between the floor that you see and the joists that support everything above. Even though hidden from sight, this layer is important because it determines how smooth of a surface you will ultimately walk on. Installing flooring on top of a damaged subfloor can lead to the following problems:

• Squeaking sounds

• Sagging boards

• Moldy or rotten odours

• Gaps

Don’t be in too big of a hurry to lay down the pieces of new flooring. You should first thoroughly examine the subfloor for signs of wear or moisture. If it is bumpy or damp, or if pieces are missing, then you should hire a professional to fix these problems before proceeding.

2. Not Cleaning What Lies Beneath the Old Flooring

No matter how immaculate you keep your home, dirt and grime somehow make their way beneath your flooring. Especially if you are removing carpeting, you may be shocked to see how big of a mess you first must clean up. This is especially true if you have pets or have ever spilled liquids on the floor.

Washing the subflooring is tricky because you have to get it completely clean without using too much water. Neglecting this part of the process is a big mistake that will result in your new floors not sticking. Depending on what is down there, it may also result in an unsanitary situation that you don’t want inside your living space.

3. Leaving Gaps Between Slats

Once the subflooring is ready, you are finally set to lay down the new pieces of flooring that you have picked out. However, it is during this step that people often make the mistake of leaving gaps between the slats or tiles. Sometimes the gaps don’t show up until weeks or months later when it is too late to fix them.

One reason for gaps is drastic temperature changes. For example, hardwood boards that you install during a humid summer may contract during the winter months when indoor heating dries the air. Another reason is neglecting to use spacers when laying the flooring or using them at inconsistent widths.

4. Choosing an Inappropriate Flooring Type

The worst mistake to make when it comes to your flooring is choosing a type that you will regret every time you see it. What looks good in a showroom is not always the best choice for your situation. To avoid making this mistake, be sure to research the pros and cons of the floors you like and base your decision on multiple qualities besides first impressions.

An important aspect to consider is the type of traffic your family will create in the room. If they will be walking on it throughout the day, then consider a scratch-resistant hardwood such as hickory or maple. Light-coloured wood also camouflages scratches well. Darker floors, however, hold up better in areas of direct sunlight.

Handyman Connection of Brantford

Handyman Connection offers professional flooring renovation services in Brantford. By trusting our skilled craftsmen to do the work for you, you can avoid common mistakes. We will inspect and clean your subfloor and professionally install your new surface. We will also help you select the flooring you will love for years to come. Fill out our online form or call us to discuss your flooring project today.