Q: Should we have an underlayment installed over the plywood subfloor before an unfinished solid wood floor is installed in our kitchen, as well in all the other rooms (not bathrooms of course)? Should any drainage pan be installed by a plumber underneath the dishwasher and refrigerator in case of flooding?
Protecting Wood Floors
More Q&A on protecting your hardwood floors.
Protecting wood floors from the cold
Q imported from our old site, Face Lift Floors: We had a very uneven slab when we started building our home. We put 80% hardwoods in the home. The concrete company floated the downstairs extensively and then put the black tar stuff and plywood down before installing our nail down hardwoods which are red oak.
No moisture barrier placed underneath the concrete
Q: I currently have my floor dug up in my kitchen. I’m trying to find a source of moisture after seeing dark stains in a few spots on my wood floor. So far we have found no leak, but there is moisture in the soil. We have discovered that there was no moisture barrier placed underneath the concrete. Would it be considered standard practice to place a moisture barrier under concrete?
Cupping due to rubber mat by dishwasher and sink?
Q: Can cupping of laminate floors be caused by using a rubber-like kitchen mat by the sink and dishwasher area?
Protecting wood floors between sanding and sealing
Q: We are sanding our painted wood floors. Is there some way to protect them until we can seal them?
My floors had to be raised, now I can’t put a rug at the front door
Q: I just got my hardwood floors done. My floors had to be raised. Now I can’t put a rug at the front door. If I cut the door bugs will come in. What can I do?
Does filler make the floor water tight?
Q: We have a few gaps between boards where the filler has popped up. I don’t mind filling it again (and again as needed), but I am wondering if doing so makes the floor water-tight (or as water-tight as it can get). I ask because I love my Scooba floor cleaner, but it can only be used on hardwood with no cracks.
Landlord says a large dog would scratch the floors
Q: I would like to adopt a 95 lb. golden retriever, but my landlord says he will scratch the floors that were recently redone. What is the usual damage done? And what is the average cost for repair in a house with 4 average sized rooms with hardwood floors?
Would it harm the floor if we place a piano (on plywood) onto the newly stained and refinished floor?
Q: We plan to have newly stained and refinished red oak hardwood installed in our kitchen. Would it harm the floor if we place a piano (on plywood) onto the newly stained and refinished floor?
Making a hardwood platform for a rolling chair at a desk
Q: I want to make a mat for a rolling chair at a desk. I thought about using 3/4 inch MDF and gluing wood flooring on it. The room has shag carpet and I can not remove the carpet.