Naildown flooring questions - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

ODDBALLS · 04-24-2008, 11:32 PM

I have a job that I am going to look at tomorrow. I haven't seen or know much about it but I will tell you what I can. The customer has "hardwood flooring" that is nail down. Has the underlayment. Those are the only two thing he has bought so far. He wants to get the materials all himself and have thgem there for whoever does the job...first caution flag.

From what we discused on the phone, he said that particle board is under the carpet and that it needs to be replaced, said Lumber Liquidators....flag number two?

He wants to go room by room becuse of storage reasons....move out living room....lay the floor.......move it back in......move hall and bedroom into living room...ect....flag number three?

So, here are my questions.

1. I have not ever done nail down. Can I use my finish nailer, or should I rent/buy a flooring nail gun for the job?

2. It has a basement. Does the partical board have to come up? Put down 3/4 ply if needed?

3. Does a moister barrier need to go down? Tar paper? Plastic?

Are there any other thing I should know/look at tomorrow. I am going out to look at it in the afternoon. I am shure that once I look at it and get some input from you cool cats I can takle it no prob. I am just so used to doing everything on a slab. Basement are not to popular in New Mexico, although I think they are cool. Thanks guys.

trav007 · 04-25-2008, 02:10 AM

Here is my answer ........ RUN as fast as you can.

Mike Costello · 04-25-2008, 04:42 AM

My advice to you is to sub out the hardwood part.

Bid accordingly. Its alot of labor and alot of scheduling.

PrecisionFloors · 04-25-2008, 08:00 AM

My advice is to follow Mike's advice.

Floordude · 04-25-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODDBALLS

I have a job that I am going to look at tomorrow. I haven't seen or know much about it but I will tell you what I can. The customer has "hardwood flooring" that is nail down. Has the underlayment. Those are the only two thing he has bought so far. He wants to get the materials all himself and have thgem there for whoever does the job...first caution flag.

No big deal!! This would not be a red flag for me, as I seldom supply the flooring, actually I hate to be the "salesman" I'm too honest... I'd starve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODDBALLS

From what we discused on the phone, he said that particle board is under the carpet and that it needs to be replaced, said Lumber Liquidators....flag number two?

Why would this be a red flag????? Your not planning on going over the particle board, are you?
Sounds like Lumber Liquidators knows more then you do about the installation of wood flooring to STANDARDS

The PB has to go!! Sounds like more profit in the job, to me. What makes you want to run from that??

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODDBALLS

He wants to go room by room becuse of storage reasons....move out living room....lay the floor.......move it back in......move hall and bedroom into living room...ect....flag number three?

I don't understand why this is such a problem??? Explain the wasted time to him and why you will have to charge more for the chopped up work, when you could be done in a quarter of the time if it was clear. I'm baffled why you want to run from this????? It sounds like a real profit center to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODDBALLS

So, here are my questions.

1. I have not ever done nail down. Can I use my finish nailer, or should I rent/buy a flooring nail gun for the job?

2. It has a basement. Does the partical board have to come up? Put down 3/4 ply if needed?

3. Does a moister barrier need to go down? Tar paper? Plastic?

1.) No, do not use a stick nailer!!!!!!!!!!!! You need the right tools for the job, if you want it to last and not become a major headache for you in a year. Get a cleat nailer!!!!

2.) Yes, the PB is junk, and will not hold a fastener. Fastening through it thinking your going to hit gold, ain't gonna work either.

3.) It would be best to see what the difference in humidity from the basement to the occupied area. You will need something, depending on your rH readings.

danzu20 · 04-26-2008, 07:47 AM

I will leave the PB, and use Glue besides some nails.
Check the moisture

tcleve4911 · 04-26-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzu20

I will leave the PB, and use Glue besides some nails.
Check the moisture

Wrong wrong wrong

You're creating a monster if you advocate gluing this floor

tcleve4911 · 04-26-2008, 08:34 AM

Is this a prefinished or lay & sand floor?

Mike Costello · 04-26-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzu20

I will leave the PB, and use Glue besides some nails.
Check the moisture

OMG Man, what makes you think glue is a good idea on Particle board?

Some nails? SOME NAILS? oh boy.

Do me a favor, go find some particle board, get a tube of liquid nail and glue and piece of wood to it. Let it set for a few days then go pull it apart.

Cdat · 04-26-2008, 09:35 AM

1. PB has to come out. No cleat will hold in that crap.
2. OSB or plywood.
3. Go to one of the cleat maker's websites and order a refurbished gun. You pay for the gun for what it would cost to rent one for 2 days. When the job is finished sell it at a pawn shop or e-bay.
4. Verify when you tear up the PB that there is no chance of you nailing into any plumbing pipes in the basement. Sounds like this HO does everything half arsed so be careful.
5. Use 1 1/2 inch cleats to insure you don't nail thru the OSB or plywood.
6. My last suggestion to you is stop this nonsense and let a professional do it. You don't seem to be that knowledgeable on flooring and it ain't that easy to begin with. But if you want the job go for it. After you screw it up let a professional do it right.

tcleve4911 · 04-26-2008, 09:36 AM

Hello!!!!!!!??? Is this a prefinished or lay & sand floor?

tcleve4911 · 04-27-2008, 08:17 AM

hello?

Cdat · 04-27-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcleve4911

hello?

I'm betting it's finished as the HO seems cheap.

ODDBALLS · 04-28-2008, 12:10 AM

OK. Looked at the job and meet with the home owner.

1. OSB down right now.

Yes, I know it has to come up, just wanted to double check.

2. It is prefinished.

3. I thought that I should use a cleat nailer but wanted to see if I could get away with using a different nailer. So, I will rent one, or hit a couple of pawn stores before I start. I also like the ebay idea.

4. I know that it is going to be more money for me for the multiple trips and scheduling.

Floordude, Thanks for the advive. As always you deserve one of these.....

.

Cdat, I am not as knowledgeable as alot of the guys on here. That is why I ask and double check my first thoughts, to see if I am wrong or right. I don't think I will screw it up. I am going to go slow and take my time, and think about every step. You sir deserve one of these as well

.

After digesting all of the info here, reading up on the stuff and thinking about the process, I have just one question that I havent
t been able to figure out.

How do you fasten the first run. I looked at alot of the nail guns out there and it would seem to me that the guns cartrige for the fastners will hit the wall and not be able to fasten the first run. I might be missing something, if so please let me know. Thanks.

deffed · 04-28-2008, 09:23 AM

top nail with a finish nailer