Few things are more exciting than refreshing your home’s style – and it all begins with the floors. However, a little preparation is needed in order to maintain that style for the years to come. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t take the necessary steps until it’s too late as they find themselves replacing their floors yet again long before they should. So, here are a few tips and considerations when installing new flooring in your home (whether you’re doing yourself or hiring a pro). It’ll also help expedite the process so that you can enjoy your new floors in less time.

Preclean

The subfloor will most likely need to be cleaned before it’s ready for a fresh installation.

Please note: If you own an older home, asbestos may be present in your subfloor. Have it and your baseboards inspected by a professional.

  • Remove all dirt and debris
  • Ensure no soap scum remains after cleaning
  • If you see signs of mold, put your project on hold and call a professional

Also, dust is inevitable during installation. Seal off rooms that aren’t receiving new floors.

Clearing Your Floors

It’s important to remember that installers won’t remove everything, especially items that are a high insurance liability. Typically, this covers most items that are not average-sized furniture.

Setting Your Thermostat

We often find that homeowners are surprised when we tell them to set their thermostats prior to installation. However, this is an important step to take, especially during winter. In fact, manufacturers even recommend that some of their flooring selections only be installed during spring or summer. This is because floors (especially hard surface) naturally expand and retract with the temperature. So if hard surface panels or tiles are installed in cold weather, they may expand beyond their intended constraints during warmer seasons. Ultimately, this can lead to damage to both your home and its flooring. So just be sure to leave your thermostat between 65 and 70 degrees for 24 hours prior to installation.

Checking Your Subfloor

Does your subfloor need to be replaced? Perhaps it’s damaged, or maybe it’s just not compatible with your new floors. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be difficult to tell.

Proper Measurements

You probably guessed that you’ll need to measure the precise square footage of the rooms receiving new flooring. However, many homeowners also forget to measure the height of their new floors. Choosing the wrong height can prevent doors from moving or closing.

Hardwood Flooring Preparation

Environmental factors are especially important when installing hardwood flooring. They are often the most likely to settle over time as the temperature changes. As such, it’s usually best to have installation completed during warmer months. If your panels must be installed during winter, it’s important to maintain a consistent temperature of around 70 degrees for 24 hours prior to installation. Also, your home’s air moisture should be maintained at about 40% humidity.

Cleveland Carpet’s Installation Policies

For quick reference, here’s a list of our flooring installation policies:

  • Temperature of the house needs to be between 65 and 70 degrees for 24hours before we install
  • All the small nick-nacks need to be removed (like picture frames on top of dressers)
  • Please do not pile anything on the bed or under the bed
  • Things need to be removed from closet floors
  • Low hanging clothing also needs to be removed from the closet
  • Electronics need to be disconnected (like TV and Computer)
  • We need to bring out hard surface flooring at least 24 hours before installation for acclimation.

    • To get expert advice on your next flooring project, or to browse through the many options available, be sure to stop by Cleveland Carpets in Griffin today!