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Flooring Tips
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Preparation For New Coverings
Subfloors
What do I need to know about putting a subfloor over an old floor before putting down new tile in the bathroom and kitchen
and carpet in the other rooms?
The total thickness of subfloor and underlayment under tile should be at least 1 1/8 inch thick. The material under tile should be
exterior grade plywood CDX or better. However, tile backer board is best, especially in the bathroom, (it is unaffected by water). It is also more rigid and made for under tile flooring.
Under your carpets you can get away with plywood or even particle board. Plywood being ,(but more expensive).
Squeaks
Are you about to install a new carpeting, or vinyl floor covering? Make sure you fix all squeaky areas while you have a chance! Drive deck screws through the subfloor and into the joists to anchor everything securely.
Outbuilding Flooring
Concrete vs. Wood
I am building an outbuilding for general storage and to park my farm tractor in during the winter I plan to use 3/4" CDX for floor that will be supported by 4" x 4" runners centered on 12", with 2" X 4" joists also centered on 12". Do you feel this is sufficient to carry the weight?
Considering the price of 3/4" pt. lumber and plywood these days, you would come away MUCH cheaper pouring concrete and putting the rest of your money to better use.
The slab, even if you pay to have poured and do none of the forming work yourself, will be probably half of what the wood will cost.
The one reason for going with wood versus concrete is taxes, that is, how the building will be taxed. That is something to look into.
Carpets
Carpet Repairs
Indentations can be removed from your carpet by laying a damp towel over the depression and pressing down with an iron. After the towel dries, the indentation should be gone!
Carpet Pads
The major purpose of a carpet pad is to absorb shock from foot traffic and to help the carpet resist any matting or crushing.
Thinner, denser pads are actually better than thick, bouncy ones. Carpet pads will feel more comfortable and make your carpet last longer.
Automatic Door Sweep
Many rooms have carpeting now-a-days resulting in doors to have some necessary clearance to open and close properly. This opening under the doors can cost some loss in house heat in the winter months. Try installing a door sweep, it works by lifting up whenever the door is closed, thereby keeping much warm air in and cool air out!
Removing old carpet
I find if you cut the carpet in about 4 ft widths and roll each section up and discard. When you get to the edges you don't have all that weight and it comes away from the tack strip rather easily. Of course you can't use the carpet for anything else.
Our thanks to: Beverly M. Hill for that tip.
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