Catch 22

boman47k

My son is installing laminate flooring in his house with the help of one of his father-in-laws. Many of you may know that I was planning on going on my own into painting after the first of the year because I didn't want to take part in jobs that I felt were not done right. Since that posting, my ma-in-law has been diagnosed with terminal cancer with very short life expectancy of from anytime to three months. I am staying close to the house. Anyway, I went to maybe help them on the floor project. When I got there, I asked if they were not concerned about the laminate being right against the wall on at least two walls with no room to 'float' or expand and contract. The father-in-law told me it was pushed back to the wall when they drove the ends together, but it had room to float at the other wall and it could float under the drywall on that side. The drywall is sitting on the floor, there is no room under it. Needless to say, the flooring is wedged tightly. Let me say here, I have never installed laminate flooring, but I have been around it, researched it, etc. Looks simple to me. I really decided I did not want to be a part of this as I expect it to have problems in the future, even though his father-in-law put his down in his house after seeing it done on some home improvement show. Even if that was all I had seen on the subject, I believe I would have left the room for the floating aspect. You can imagine the problem they had with trying to fit a piece at a threshold that was just a little out of square. I suggested cutting the first a little short to at least clear the threshold. Finally, I did that. The piece fit just like it supposed to. I guess what I am trying to say is, I have not been there to help, and do not feel I should come in and step on their toes with suggestions of the right way to do it ( in my opinion ). I don't want to be in a situation where there are too many chiefs and not enough indians and have hurt feelings. I feel sort of bad about not helping anymore than I could without the extenuating (spelling) circumstances here at home.
I said I needed to get hoime and do some winterizing as there was no need in the three of us being there. Heheh, my son said he now knows three different ways to hang and finish drywall, paint, etc. threeways being two father-in-laws and me. I don't really want any part of putting him in the middle of a situation like that. I am also not too fond of trying to be the lead man for an ex fire chief, a police captain, and an ex-marine. Too many egos to work around, including mine.
Sorry about the long post, but this situation is kind of bothering me a little. I would appreciate your comments on this situation.

reveivl

I think you're right to stay clear of it, they may wll have problems with the stuff expanding and bubbling up in the field. Free advice, worth every penny it cost!

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osborn

Im trying to figure out how he has 2 father in laws.

boman47k

Two wives! Each came with her own dad ! Heheh, was wondering if that would come up. His wife's dad and her stepdad.

The feedback is appreciated.

72chevy4x4

Sorry to hear about your family problems, they can defiitely take a toll.

I help out at my church and sometimes coordinate guys of varying skill levels in the projects-its always been an easy going situation since we're all working towards the same goal. The one thing I have observed is that some of the guys who are more skilled in an area than I are happy to sit back and let someone else lead since they lead their own crews during the week. So...the advice is follow their lead-if you can provide advice, then provide and let them say 'yea, you're right' or whatever. Keep plugging away man-family time is important. I would love to have my dad near enough to help out on a floor!

take into consideration the type of heat they use-something like wood or oil (hot) heat may cause the air to dry out more, making shrinkage/expansion more of a problem. Advice him to get a humidistat if you think the floor contracting will be a problem :-)

Teetorbilt

The post was too large for me. Too much family/distance stuff. I'm beginning to feel like Grumpy.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Floorwizard

HA!

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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

boman47k

Teetor and floorcraft, can't disagree with ya on that..I guess. I apologize again.
Chevy, thanks for the response. Know what you mean about the dad thing. I remember a time I thought, " I'll ask Da..... No I guess I won't be doing that." Hopefully you still have yours to call on if the need arises.

turner flooring

good luck