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GETTING READY FOR …
HARDWOOD FLOORING
Here are a
few things to keep in mind while preparing for hardwood floor
installation.
Please take
a moment to look over the following tips and policies.
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FURNITURE: If K & C will be handling the removal and replacement of
your furniture, this means we will handle the big stuff - sofas, beds,
dressers, etc. Please remove all small items - lamps, pictures,
knick-knacks, etc. We cannot be responsible for breakables if you do
not have them out of harms way. If we are including any closets, they
should be empty as well, including any clothing that hangs to the
floor. Electronic equipment (TVs, stereos, etc) and computers must be
disconnected and removed by the homeowner.
-
REMOVAL OF EXISTING FLOORING: If it is agreed that K & C will be taking
up existing carpet and padding, we will prepare the old material for
municipal trash pick up. We cut the material into 3 foot strips, roll
it up, tape it, and put it at the curb (or at a specified location).
Trash haulers vary as to requirements and quantities they take, so
please check with them prior to installation day. Removal of old
flooring from your property by K & C is available at an additional
charge. If you are going to remove the existing material, please take
care to be as thorough as possible - all staples must be hammered flush
or removed, as well as any adhesives used during previous
installations. Tack strips around the perimeter must be taken up as
well.
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ACCESSIBLITY: Please leave adequate pathways to and from the location
getting new flooring. When working on the second floor, please remove
pictures, shelves, sconces, etc. from the stairwell. We also ask for a
parking spot as close to the door as possible. Your new flooring can be
very heavy!!
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DIRECTION OF FLOORING: The direction that the floor will be laid
depends on the substrate more than ascetics. While engineered floors
laid over concrete can go in any direction, solid hardwoods nailed over
suspended wooden decks must be laid perpendicular to the floor joists
for structural reasons. This detail must be discussed ahead of time, not
on the day of installation.
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PROPERTIES OF WOOD: Wood is a natural product, and will expand and
contract with humidity fluctuations. Gapping may occur between boards
at various times of the year due to relative humidity and the width of
the plank. Dehumidifiers (in summer) and humidifiers (during heating
season) will help minimize this. Color and grain will vary slightly
from the sample. Some species will change dramatically with age and
exposure to light. Area rugs laid over hardwood floors may cause a
"picture frame" effect.
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DOORS: The thickness of new flooring can vary greatly. Your doors
should never rub the finished surface of the floor - this will abrade
the wear layer and damage the floor. If your doors need to be trimmed at
the bottom, we will leave them off their hinges. You will need to make
arrangements to have them cut.
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PETS: Please be considerate of our installers with regards to pets. We
may have to make many trips in and out of your house, and we cannot be
responsible for any pets "escaping". Please do not expect our
installers to concentrate on both their installation and your animals.
Dogs that bark incessantly are annoying and distracting.
-
HEAT: Wood floors are more sensitive to moisture and humidity than to
heat, but a minimum of 65 degrees is required 24 hours prior to
installation - 48 hours after installation additional for glued down
wood floors.
-
DUST: A certain amount of dust will be created during the process,
whether from sweeping, floor preparation, or removing old flooring.
This is unavoidable. We apologize in advance. We will do our best to
minimize this by making our cuts outside whenever possible.
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NOISE AND VIBRATION: Nailing down hardwood flooring creates a great
deal of banging and vibration to ceilings directly under the
installation, and to the surrounding areas. Please remove wall
hangings, ceiling lights, and anything you may feel will be in danger of
being jarred from its location.
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DATES & CANCELATIONS: We will not schedule your installation date until
we have received your material in our warehouse. Hardwood flooring needs
to acclimate to your house environment, requiring that we deliver the
material to your house in advance of installation - as much as 7 days
prior in some instances. Once we have done so, it is your
responsibility to keep your date of installation. While we recognize
that problems and emergencies can arise at the last minute, canceling
the date that we have agreed upon for installation can affect many other
people, and re-scheduling can be difficult and inconvenient. Minimum
charges may apply to customer originated cancellations.
Thank you for choosing K & C Floor
Covering for your new flooring, and for
reviewing this notice. We strive to make your experience as
trouble-free and satisfying as possible. If you have any questions or
concerns, please don't hesitate to call us.
See you on
Installation Day!! |