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Date Posted: 12/15/2007
From experience and research both, you will find out that a floor would
have to get into a very considerable bad shape before you really need to rip
the entire structure out by the roots of your older home and start over. If a
floor becomes water damaged due to sinks, bathtubs or other leakage from
somewhere, and the owner is unaware of it, then obviously the affected flooring
can rot and swell and might need to be replaced. In some cases it might be that
some type of stain could hinder sanding and refinishing a wood floor, but this
would be an unusual situation.
Sometimes a floor can sag in a corner but appear to be in good shape otherwise.
This could mean that the seal plate on the foundation or the foundation itself
has become rotted or weakened. Don’t be totally alarmed! Many times the seal
plate can be fixed or part of the foundation can be repaired without too much
hassle. You can add a floor jack (floor stand, floor support, what ever you
want to call it ) under the floor for added strength too as well as lift the
floor up some to level it back.
This brings me to another quick note that I should add. If the floors look
sound, but you know you are going to put a water bed or some very heavy
furniture or equipment on it, then adding floor jacks can save you some
headaches down the road if the house is really old or your not sure.
Adding additional support can’t hurt but here are some facts to consider. Older
waterbeds can weigh as much as 2000 lbs and if a house has been inspected and
passes all modern building codes, then it should be able to handle the weight
of your waterbed with no problems. This is because the weight is distributed
over a broad range. Approximately 50 lbs per square ft. as a general estimate,
therefore it exerts less weight per square foot than some of the other items in
your home. You could have a refridgerator, fish tank,
or even a book shelf that weighs more per square foot than a water bed. A good
fact to know.
On the lighter and brighter side of things though, it is incredible what can be
done to older floors to cover them or restore them. As a general rule, if the
floor is structurally sound and stable, then it can be restored and the
products and options available are countless. Just walk into a local home
renovation or hardware store and you’ll soon see what I’m talking about. Wood
floors can be sanded and refinished to look like new. Concrete floors can be
sealed, repaired and painted to give either a smooth or rough style finish
depending on it’s main purpose.
Without a doubt fixing floors can turn into some serious and back breaking
work, but there are many tools available to get the job done right. If you need
some heavy duty tools or equipment, it’s practical to go somewhere and rent
what you need. Floor finishers, sanders, scrubbers… it’s all there and you
don’t actually have to buy it knowing that you might only use it this one time.
What’s that you say… you would rather have someone else do it… is that it? I
have said it before myself. I would rather save myself the frustration and
prevent the act of bringing myself that much closer to hell by letting someone
else do it..!! (Whatever “IT” is at the time.) Like a lot of people, I can carry
on like a sailor without a boat, and I know that being in that state isn’t good
for my health. Get someone that knows what to do..!!
Well of course there are tons of contractors out there, but finding the right
one can seem tedious maybe. Or, maybe not if you know how to go about it the
right way.
To find the right contractor has the same guidelines if you are remodeling the
kitchen or giving the floors a new facelift. However, there probably are
contractors that may specialize in floor replacement and repair and maybe
choosing one for a specific type of job is practical.
As everyone should know, we can’t trust someone’s advertisement alone. We have
to investigate at least a little to find out more. I know you have heard it
before, and it still stands true in our modern days. Word of mouth is the best
indicator and you can talk to some of your associates and friends to help with
finding a good contractor. You might even get to see some of their work first
hand which would really be a plus.
Call up some contractors after you get some potential ones chosen and get a
quote from them and also use that time to talk to them extensively as much as
possible. Don’t be in a hurry, and write down some potential questions in
advance of getting a quote. I’m saying this because this leads to the next
important thing to consider in the process.
An extremely important factor in your decision and quite possibly one of the
most important when it comes to a pleasurable remodeling experience, is the
personality of the contractor you choose. This person will be in and out of
your home and maybe even have access to it at times while you are out and away
from home. You are going to be seeing a great deal of your new contractor for
at least a few weeks or more, (possibly), and you should be comfortable with
that person. It stands to good reason that the stress and hassle of remodeling
in itself will be easier if you are compatible with, and actually like the
person who is doing the work for you.
Find out personal as well as professional information. Simply ask while having
a conversation during the quote. Find out how long the contractor has been
working in the field and how many jobs he has done. Will he be doing the work,
or is this the last time you see him, and all of his crew comes over to do the
work? Does he supervise first hand when other workers are there? Does he have a
family? Take note of the vehicle he drives up in when he comes for the quote.
Believe me, using common sense is always best. Even if he drives an older van
or truck… how organized does everything look? Making small talk and learning
about a person can go a very long way. The more you know the better and that
goes deeper than the work at hand that needs to be done. That’s just it, you
want the work done and done right. _ As always… Good Luck In Your Home
Projects..!!
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