Re-confirm product and installer
With so many different things going on it is best to re-confirm with your supplier and your installer that everything is on track for the agreed start date, (unless they have beaten you to it).
Ensure the areas are ready
If it is a renovation in an existing home make sure the area(s) and access are ready for the tradesmen. Have furniture moved where necessary, power available and even a spot for their work vehicle to be parked for the project.
For a building site, ensure this is the right stage for the flooring to be started, often it should be one of the last things in the project. Make sure access is clear and the areas are ready and free of any other trades.
Security & Safety
Ensure areas are locked and blocked off at the end of each day to remove the risk of any damages or accidents. Some products cannot be walked on for up to 24 hours. Confirm the timeline with the installer.
The floor may be slightly different than you expect
Almost all flooring products oxidize. This is where the product changes colour and often darkens slightly. Often the samples you see in store have already oxidized meaning when the flooring is first installed it is often lighter at first as it hasn’t oxidized.
Stay off the floor
Check with the installer when it is safe to enter any areas during the process. Some of the flooring products, including sub-floor products that you can’t see, cannot be walked on for up to 24 hours. To avoid any damage check prior.
Different colour patches
Also see oxidization. Floor oxidizes over time due to normal light. The means that areas that don’t see light will remain the same. This could be a rug or a cabinet and when moved it will have a noticeable lighter square or patch underneath. Don’t be concerned. This is the original colour of your floor and If you leave this area exposed to light, it would catch up with the rest of the floor.
Avoid scratches
Some flooring products have a surface coating that can dry quickly but can take up to 2 weeks to cure 100%. This is why it is important to be very careful when first using the flooring (and generally moving furniture back in) to avoid initial damage. Most of the damage on timber floors are done within the first 2 weeks. This is why it is also important to have protective felt pads on furniture items. We have these available in our trade store.
Furniture felt
Read above on why you need to protect your new flooring from all of your furniture!
Paint touch-ups
Depending on the installation type, skirting boards are re-installed with your flooring. This may require touch up painting which is not normally covered by any flooring trade.
Odours and ventilation
Some of the adhesives and coatings have a strong smell to them. It can be recommended to air the rooms out prior to use. Do not however open windows too early if coatings are still drying.
Cleaning & Maintenance
From the very beginning, ensure you use the right product to care for your floor. Almost all flooring products and coatings have a specific cleaning product made for them. The list of everyday products that damage your flooring gets bigger all the time. Read about how to care for your flooring here.
