Stapling Luan?????

diezeldawg

I'm actaully a landscaper but I had to ask this question. I had a floor put in this week. I installed the luan, nailing every 8-10 inches on edge The field was to be stapled by the contractor. Here is the problem. After spreading the glue and laying the sheet vinyl the floor began to severly buckle. The contractor rep came out and said the luan had delaminated. He then cut out a piece 10x10 inches and found out the luan had NOT delaminated. He still says its bad luan, however the staples that were shot in by his company went all the way through the luan except for 1/16 of an inch. What is the [normal holding amount of wood you need for a 7/8's inch staple].Sorry for the long question I just wanted to be thourough.The luan I bought had aclimated for 8-11 days inside the room where the floor was to be layed

Glasshousebltr

The installer had the air way up. He should have set the air to get as much luan as possible and just a wee of countersink.

Bob

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Bob

DecksEtc

I'm no flooring expert, I'm sure they'll be here soon...

But along with what Bob said, I was always taught to nail/staple from one side and then work your way across the piece being put down. Again, I'm not an expert, but along as you ensured the luan was completely flat when you nailed all the edges it's probably due to the staples being too deep.

Just my $0.02...

Teetorbilt

Bob's got it! HIS guys shot the nails too deep and (I'm guessing) used a water based adhesive that caused the luan to swell.

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diezeldawg

if i could post a pic i would. The staple sticks out of the old subfloor the thickness of the vinyl floor itself. It went right through the luan

Tom R

Yeah, - - sounds like 'interior' luanne was used (mistake), - - then the staples being shot in so far lost their holding power when the (I'm presuming) 'latex-based' adhesive soaked in and swelled the luanne.

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Tom R

Oop, - - just seen that's exactly what Teetor said, - - oh well, I AGREE.

I believe most vinyl adhesives ARE waterbased.

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go dart

thats why vinly men should set their own underlayment and staple. at 1.10 per sq ft can you save enough to justify this kind of headach?

soxfan

8-10" is too far apart for seams btw. That's not to disagree with the staples being shot too deep though.

King of karpets

When we install underlayment we shoot the edges in a stagger , every inch ..
the field every 4 to 6 inches .. Vinyl glue is waterbase .. In the northeast they have two types of underlayment , one with a warnity , and one without .. the one with is solid , without has air pockets in it , and made on the cheap .. I did new homes where they used osb , and we had to renail the joints with two inch nails because the wood was lifting at the buts .. Also you dont have to leave the plywood in the house for a week , that is why we put it down , it dosent shrink or expand .. Hope this helps ..

rankenstudent

The way I have learned and used several times in my small carpentry career was to staple the edes stagered every two inches and the field every six inches. I snap chalk lines usig a quick snap tool i made just for flooring. working from left to right or right to left whicever you prefer just maiking sure you don't cause the luan to bubble in any way. doing it right the first time will be the only time