Installing Hardwood Floors Doesn't Have To Be Hard!

So, you've decided to take the plunge and have hardwood flooring installed in your home. Congratulations! Here's a handy checklist - just some things that you should take care of BEFORE the work begins.

Right off - you want to inform your whole household that you are going to have those floors worked on. Tell them when it is going to happen, and what will be expected from them during the install. This family meeting is very important - especially if you have kids. When the workmen get to your home and begin work, there will be lots of noise, dust and confusion, and this meeting will help everyone to prepare.

Before the workmen arrive, and well before the date of the installation, you will need to go into the room that is going to be re-floored and take everything out: all the furniture, everything on the walls, all the curtains, drapes and blinds - everything.

Why do this? Because having this stuff in the room will hinder their work - or it could get damaged while they are in there. Make sure that everything that is moved out can be left in it's storage location for a while, as you will not be able to go into the room while the finish on your new flooring is drying and curing.

Do you have pets? If so, you will need to take special precautions. The best solution is to allow a trusted neighbor, friend or family member to care for them for the interim. You don't want Fido or Princess getting their hairy paws on sticky floor finish, do you?

Speaking of floor finish, after your hardwood flooring has been installed and they have sanded and applied the finish, it will have to dry for a while - usually several days at a minimum. Don't even TRY to walk on the floor during this time. Your installer will tell you how long you will have to stay off of the floor.

But once your flooring has dried and cured sufficiently, you can then move your furniture safely back in. When you do, take care to put small floor protectors under the legs and bottoms of the furniture. Small rugs and pads can also be used.

As you use your new hardwood flooring, don't mar them by walking on them with hard-soled shoes, athletic shoes with cleats or spikes, or high heels. To protect well-traveled stairways and entrance ways, cover those areas with good-quality rugs or mats.

Article Source: http://www.realtyreferenceonline.com/articles

The author of this article, John Reynolds talks about home improvement and Restoring Hardwood Floors Learn more about how toClean Hardwood Floors by visiting his website.
Don't reprint the same version as everyone else. Get your own unique content hardwood floors article here.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated