Installing Bamboo Flooring - Comments
(Read the article that everyone's commenting on.)
hello, what type or kind of nail do I use? exactly where does the nail go on the tongue part? do you have any ideas for the baseboard to use with the bamboo?
cannon at July 29, 2008 11:28 PM
Posted by: cannon at July 29, 2008 11:28 PMHi Cannon,
Sounds like you need to visit the manufacturer's website or a DIY (do-it-yourself) website for detailed instructions. You can call the manufacturer too. Most installers use nail guns. A lot of people hire a professional for bamboo flooring installation because it tends to split, chip, splinter, etc. during installation. You can do it yourself, so long as you take the time to learn about it first.
Remember, it is vital to follow the manufacturer's instructions because they vary from company to company, and variances from these instructions may void the warranty.
The Flooring Lady at July 30, 2008 11:34 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at July 30, 2008 11:34 AMHi Cannon, I checked with a friend of mine who had bamboo flooring installed, and the installers used a staples (with a staple gun) for the T&G and something akin to finish nails where they couldn't access the T&G. She also made the comment that installing bamboo flooring is best left to professionals, in her opinion, due to the reasons I mentioned in the post above. At least that way, if it gets screwed up, it's not your fault but the installers.
Oh, forgot to address your question about baseboard. Any baseboard that's thick enough to cover the expansion gap will work, and choose something that fits your home decor. I know, not much help, but you didn't include information on what kind of colors you're using, or if you want the baseboard to coordinate with the walls or the floor. ;~)
The Flooring Lady at July 30, 2008 08:26 PM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at July 30, 2008 08:26 PMHi, We had a guy install bamboo flooring in a small bedroom by glueing to concrete floor. Gorgeous result, beautiful hardwood floor. BUT--the bamboo apparently got permanently stained on its surface, by his hands during the process. (fingerprint marks, etc.) I don't know how to get them off. Plus, the stains are not glue but I think they are a glue by-product like oil, sweat, dirt, glue vapors, etc. Even if he wore gloves (which he should have), how to prevent glue vapors from imprinting the bamboo when installing in the future? He has to touch the bamboo surfaces during install. DIY folks say 'wipe down' during install to prevent all this; but I am not sure plain water will do it, if it is glue vapors...what to use during install to wipe down?!?!? HELP!! Thanks
Simone at August 15, 2008 12:15 PM
Posted by: Simone at August 15, 2008 12:15 PMYou can try using a vinegar/water mixture and see if that takes care of it. If it doesn't, then it's time for a delicate operation -- cleaning up the glue. With great care, gently dab mineral spirits onto the glue until it comes up. Be careful to not get too much on the flooring surface so you don't damage the finish. Be sure to wash the spots with clear water when you are done to remove all remnants of the mineral spirits.
When the glue in removed you may have to buff the fingerprints with a soft cloth-- if they are just body oil and not glue smudges -- to get the clean surface you want.
I've also heard of a more unconventional approach for adhesive residue - don't know if it works on other problems, like those from body oil, etc. Use a small amount of "Goo Gone" and "Bon Ami" on a paper towel and gently rub with the grain over any traces of adhesive. Quickly wipe off the mixture with a slightly damp towel and then thoroughly dry. Bon Ami is a mild abrasive that mixed with the Goo gone is just enough to do the trick. You may notice a slightly less shiny appearance after using this, however it is not enough that anyone but you would notice. Certainly much better than the smudged adhesive look.
If the glue was latex based, you might try using a SOS pad - not the steel wool ones, but the kind made of plastic fibers. There's two kinds, the kind for tougher scrubbing and delicate. Use the delicate. Sometimes this works. Don't scrub hard though and be sure to take a damp rag to clean up afterwards or microfiber cloth. You can also use a dry microfiber cloth to kind of 'buff' it afterwards.
You can also call the manufacturer - I'm sure they've heard of this numerous times and can also make recommendations.
The Flooring Lady at August 15, 2008 11:21 PM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at August 15, 2008 11:21 PMHow do you fill in gaps in a pre finished bamboo floor? Two weeks after installation I noticed a 1/4 inch gap running the length of my floor and ther minor gaps. The floor was installed in the cold weather. Now that it is warm the gap has closed a little, but is still noticable as it is in the middle of my living room. The inspector said it is not the floor, but the installers liability. They suggest filling it in with putty, but I am concerned about the putty cracking and needing replacement over time. I am wondering if the best thing to do is to have the floor replaced even though it will be difficult?
ksmith at August 26, 2008 09:03 AM
Posted by: ksmith at August 26, 2008 09:03 AMHi ksmith,
I would suggest giving the installers a call, and perhaps even the manufacturer. What brand did you use (just out of curiosity).
I agree with the inspector, it should be the liability of the installer - the size of the gap in unacceptable. I wouldn't do anything yourself yet. The floor would still be under warranty from the manufacturer, what kind of warranty (if any) did you get from the installer on their work?
The Flooring Lady at August 27, 2008 05:52 PM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at August 27, 2008 05:52 PMWe contracted for a bamboo floor. We had the old tile floor revoved and the slab cleaned dorn to nothing but concrete. We have waited for several weeks, no water leaks, home A/C on lower than we usually keep it. The installers came out to prep the floor and said that the slab would never be dry enough to have bamboo. This is a thirty+ year old house with no foundation problems. I really don't understand.
Andy Wilhoit at September 10, 2008 11:52 AM
Posted by: Andy Wilhoit at September 10, 2008 11:52 AMNeither do I. I'd suggest using Raven Industries Vapor Barrier, your bamboo should do just fine. The link goes to an article about it so that you can read up on the product.
The Flooring Lady at September 10, 2008 09:35 PM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at September 10, 2008 09:35 PM
I am wondering if you know how flexible bamboo really is. Our installer obviously thought bamboo is easy to install, but never actually installed it. He had trouble with the psi, the nail guns and-- flatness.
The floor is fully installed. And we are the big losers. He shimmed the floor, but it just created voids and dips everywhere. Level, but not nearly flat. It feels like a cheap floating floor. This is the 1/2" Teragren Synergy. It seems like a great product, and gorgeous. But obviously the installer treated it like 3/4 hardwood.
I have full access to the subfloor from the basement. Do you think I could drill 3/8" holes up through the subfloor and inject PL Premium? Do you think this would fill the voids??
Please help!
eric at October 6, 2008 08:37 PM
Posted by: eric at October 6, 2008 08:37 PMComment Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
(Read the article that everyone's commenting on.)
To post a comment on "Installing Bamboo Flooring", please return to that article's main page.
