Doing Unfinished Hardwoods for the first time. - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

jhark123 · 06-02-2009, 01:01 AM

Hello,

I usually lurk over in Carpentry. I am a GC, but I do all of my own work. Foundation, Framing, Siding, Finish, and until now prefinished hardwood. This home will be my first unfinished floor. It is 4" plank red oak. I have concerns regarding the 4" plank and also regarding finishing.

The subfloor is too moist yet for about 1.5 ft along the wall I am starting on (adjacent to large concrete porch slab). I am getting readings of 12% to 16% there. The rest of the floor is 8% to 10%. I put some fans in the crawl space today incase insufficient ventilation is part of the problem.

If I can not get the subfloor to a lower moisture content, do I need to switch from a aquapar paper to a trowel on product?

In regard to finishing I am planning on renting this machine:
http://www.cherryhillmfg.com/u-sand/specs.htm
Looks to be Homeowner-proof

Do you think that two coats of Bona Traffic is enough?

What grit do you usually use between coats?

I am open to any tips and suggestions, If you think I am getting in over my head let me know. I have done a few 3 1/4 inch prefinished floors with no problems.

Oh, I am thinking 8" o.c. nailing w/15ga 2 1/2in staples, per the NOFMA install book, has this worked well in your experience?

Thanks

Cdat · 06-02-2009, 08:46 AM

Sorry, I can't help you none. I've never used staples and I've never worked with a crawl space.

mrwoodman · 06-02-2009, 03:43 PM

If you have done 3-1/4" floors before, do the same. One good coat of Bona sealer, screen with 100-150 grit with a low 175-rpm buffer and apply your two coats of finish is fine. judgement call pending application method.

Good Luck, Ron

willworkforbeer · 06-02-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrwoodman

If you have done 3-1/4" floors before, do the same.

Exactly, just add 3/4.

the big 12 inch · 06-02-2009, 03:55 PM

[quote=jhark123;691474]Hello,
I am open to any tips and suggestions, If you think I am getting in over my head let me know. I have done a few 3 1/4 inch prefinished floors with no problems.

Your getting in over you head!!!And no,I won't explain why!!

Floordude · 06-03-2009, 09:59 AM

I swear I replied to this already. In fact I remember seeing the reply...

The concrete porch is how low below the bottom plate of the framing? if it is less than 3" it is considered a below grade installation.

How is this area ventilated? Are you saying this is a big dead spot that is always going to be wet from not air flow?

Rot is soon to follow in that area(16%), if it is allowed to stay that wet.

Your going to need to isolate the moisture from the wood flooring. Doing that is going to cause other issues, that may eventually over time, compromise the structure.

jhark123 · 06-03-2009, 10:35 AM

The porch slab is about at the bottom plate. There is nervestral separating the porch from the house. I think the water vapor from the slab (poured about 20-30 day ago) transfered from the slab to the foundation stem wall, then to the framing and subfloor. I think it may not have dried out as quickly due to less ventiliation (obviously there are no vents next to the slab). Another factor I was thinking about today is that the homeowner had a latex mold inhibitor sprayed in the crawl space, this may be preventing drying out from the bottom side. I am going to take moisture readings today, and I will report back

jhark123 · 06-03-2009, 10:13 PM

Update: The extra ventilation in the crawl seems to be working

I got readings of 10.5 to 14 % at the highest spot today (I have the J-lite, so that is as precise as it gets).

Would a fan running on the top side help even more?