Floor Basics - Floor Strength – Find A Good Contractor

by: Joel Dean Davis

>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..!!