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Home Home and Family Family Avoiding The No. 1 Floor Installation Problem!
Avoiding The No. 1 Floor Installation Problem! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Andre Roslaniec   
When it comes to timber and bamboo flooring installation, I suspect I have seen each possible problem and issue that might arise, arise! Unfortunately, with Melbourne flooring installations, the industry has its fair share of "cowboys" and there are normally a few signs that show them up.
by AndreRoslaniec


When it comes to timber and bamboo flooring installation, I suspect I have seen each possible problem and issue that might arise, arise! Unfortunately, with Melbourne flooring installations, the industry has its fair share of "cowboys" and there are normally a few signs that show them up.

The problem with timber and bamboo flooring though, is that problems can frequently manifest many months, years or decades after installation of the floor. This means that the flooring company or installer may be long-gone with any guarantee given not actually worth the paper it was written on! If you've ever heard about doing "due diligence" before buying a business, you must apply an equal amount of care to the selection of your flooring company and installer.

One of the highest risk areas that I've seen over time and which has caused numerous flooring issues over time, is moisture in the wood. Moisture is the number one enemy of wood and bamboo flooring and yet it is one of the most overlooked areas of installation.

So what are some of the examples of the problem areas that can sometimes be caused by moisture? There's a large range but most predominantly buckling, twisting, bending and breaking of the floor boards, none of which you really want in your dwelling.

These problems are simply avoided if the installer uses a moisture meter to test both the moisture content of the timber or bamboo to be installed, and any substrate or sub-surface the floor will be attached-to as well as the specific area underneath. Unfortunately, I've only ever seen one builder utilise a moisture meter before installing a floor despite the extensive damage that can be caused to floors.

There's numerous reasons for this but mostly the large increase in demand for timber and bamboo flooring during the last decade or so has brough-in some poorly qualified and experienced companies with dubious track records. Many of these companies don't have any history in timber flooring but they still want to get "a piece of the action".

Another important reason is the complete lack of "connection" that many flooring businesses and installers have with their customer apart from the very short term. Because timber and bamboo floors last so long and don't regularly need replacement, it isn't often that installers and flooring firms think that they have any need to talk with clients once the job's done and paid for.

The proven skills and experience of the installer are of prime importance but also the awareness of the medium and long-term problems that may be caused if there's moisture or a chance of moisture getting into the floor. One method of ensuring that you receive what you expect - a high quality, problem-free floor, is to demand that a moisture meter is employed on both the product and the area where it is to be laid. It's one of those cases when a small amount of trouble taken at the beginning can save a life-time of pain!

About the Author:

Andre Roslaniec is a timber installation expert with Astoria Floors. He started the company over 25 years ago yet is still passionate about helping home renovators and owners learn the information they need to know to avoid problems when choosing timber and bamboo flooring and selecting the best flooring installation. You can get a complimentary copy of Andre's Little Black Book of Flooring Secrets", 2011 edition, free at his blog
site at floors and flooring Melbourne and find other great ideas on floor
installation Melbourne. If that isn't enough already - you can also view Andre's videos on his You Tube channel.

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