7 Steps to Prepare for Flooring Installation

Want flawless new floors? Preparation is everything. Skipping the prep work can lead to uneven surfaces, peeling, or even structural damage. But with the right steps, you’ll ensure a smooth, long-lasting installation. Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to do:

• Clear the Room: Remove furniture, wall-mounted items, and decorations.
• Remove Old Flooring: Safely take out carpet, hardwood, or other materials.
• Check the Subfloor: Clean, level, and address moisture issues.
• Let Materials Adjust: Acclimate flooring to the room’s temperature and humidity.
• Get Tools Ready: Gather essential tools and safety gear.
• Map Out Installation: Measure, plan layouts, and reduce waste.
• Final Prep: Ensure proper room conditions and clear access for installers.

Step 1: Clear the Room

Start by removing all furniture, decorations, and personal items from the area where the flooring will be installed.

Where to Store Your Items

Depending on the size of your project, here are a few storage options to consider:

• Garage or Basement: A clean, dry area works great for temporary storage.
• Portable Storage Units: Perfect for keeping items close by, like in your driveway, during larger projects.
• Professional Storage Facilities: Ideal for delicate or high-value items, offering climate-controlled environments.

"Put your furniture anywhere that isn't getting new flooring, such as a garage, storage shed or basement." - 50Floor

Pro Tip: Empty drawers and cabinets before moving furniture to make them easier to lift and transport.

Take Down Wall-Mounted Items

Don't forget to remove these items from your walls:

• Artwork and Mirrors: Take down picture frames, decorative pieces, and mirrors.
• Lighting Fixtures: Detach removable lamps, chandeliers, and sconces.
• Window Treatments: Take off curtains, blinds, and any mounting hardware.
• Shelves and Boards: Remove bulletin boards, whiteboards, and wall-mounted shelving.

Safety Tip: Always lift furniture instead of dragging it to avoid scratching floors. Use pads or moving blankets to protect both your belongings and the flooring.

If moving furniture feels like too much of a hassle, many flooring companies offer furniture moving services for an extra fee.

Once the room is completely cleared, you're ready to tackle the next task: pulling up the old flooring.

Step 2: Remove Old Flooring

After clearing the room in Step 1, it's time to take out the old flooring. Doing this correctly helps protect the subfloor underneath.

Removal Methods

The method you use depends on the type of flooring you're removing:

For carpet:

• Use a utility knife to cut the carpet into strips.
• Remove tack strips with pliers.
• Wear protective gloves and gear to avoid injury.

"Tack strip is sometimes glued in place, but is most-often nailed. This makes it dangerous to remove because it can cut your hands, arms, etc. Wearing heavy work gloves and a long-sleeved shirt and pants during removal will help minimize this risk. It can also help to place the removed tack strips on the torn-out carpet pad, which makes carrying the sharp, jagged tack strips less of an injury risk." - Brett Miller, VP of Education and Certification, National Wood Flooring Association

For hardwood:

• Use tools like a circular saw, pry bar, and sledgehammer.
• Always wear safety gear, including a respirator.

"It is very common to find old stains and years of dust, dirt, pet urine, dead bugs, etc., under the carpet during the removal process. For this reason, it is highly recommended to wear a respirator during removal."

If you're tackling a bigger project, consider using professional tools:

Waste Removal

Properly disposing of the old flooring is just as important as removing it:

• Recycle what you can, or consider renting a dumpster for bulk disposal.
• Cut materials into manageable sections and bundle scraps.
• Check local regulations to ensure you're following proper disposal guidelines.

Safety Note: If your home was built before 1980, test linoleum flooring for asbestos. If asbestos is found, hire professionals for removal.

Step 3: Check and Fix Subfloor

A flat, dry subfloor is key to a long-lasting installation.

Clean and Level the Surface

Inspect your subfloor for any uneven areas, squeaks, movement, or visible cracks.

• For wood subfloors: Secure loose boards, remove old fasteners, sand down high spots, and fill in low spots.
• For concrete subfloors: Grind down high areas and use a leveling compound to fill low spots. Aim for no more than a 3/16-inch variation over 10 feet.

Once the surface is smooth and even, the next step is to deal with moisture concerns.

Address Moisture Issues

After leveling, it's important to manage moisture to avoid future problems.

"Claims usually start with testing for moisture - not only in the flooring itself but also in the subfloor." - FCNews Columnist

Here are general moisture guidelines:

• Solid hardwood: Keep moisture content between 6-10%.
• Plywood/OSB subfloors: Maintain 6-12% moisture content.
• Relative humidity: Stay within 30-50%.

To test for moisture:

1. Use a pinless moisture meter on wood subfloors.
2. Take readings at 20 spots for every 1,000 square feet.
3. Record results to pinpoint any problem areas.
4. Based on the readings, install the right moisture barrier.

"A subfloor's lifespan depends mostly on the materials used and the amount of moisture they're exposed to. Adequately protected from moisture, most subfloor materials can be expected to last for the lifespan of the home." - Kenton Shepard, Director of Green Building, InterNACHI

To fix moisture issues:

• Install vapor retarders under concrete slabs.
• Use dehumidifiers and HVAC systems to control humidity.
• Add a moisture-barrier underlayment.
• Allow enough time for the subfloor to dry before proceeding with the installation.

Step 4: Let Materials Adjust

Before installing your flooring, it's crucial to let the materials adjust to the room's conditions. This step helps prevent issues like warping, gaps, or structural damage.

Keep the room's temperature between 60°–80°F and relative humidity at 30%–50% for at least five days. Make sure the HVAC system is running, and store the flooring materials in the room where they'll be installed.

For solid hardwood, follow these moisture guidelines:

• Strip flooring (less than 3" wide): Moisture difference from the subfloor should be no more than 4%.
• Wide plank flooring (3" wide or more): Moisture difference should not exceed 2%.

To improve airflow around the materials, break them into smaller stacks, use spacers, remove any plastic wrap, keep stacks away from walls, and store them opposite the starting point of your installation.

"Failing to properly acclimate wood flooring may cause excessive expansion, shrinkage, dimensional distortion or structural damage." - Olde Wood Ltd.

"Acclimating your floor is like purchasing insurance against possible problems down the road." - Cali Floors

Once your flooring is properly adjusted, you're ready to move on to gathering tools for installation in Step 5.

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Step 5: Get Tools Ready

Make sure you have the right tools in place to ensure a smooth flooring installation and quality results.

Tools You’ll Need

Set up your workspace with these must-have tools:

If the basic tools don’t cut it, consider these options:

• Installation kits: For example, the Lifeproof Pro Kit ($42.47).
• Specialized rentals: Tools like a wet tile saw (around $369.00) can be rented if needed.
• Professional help: Hiring pros who bring their own tools is another option.

Extra Supplies

Having some additional materials on hand can make post-installation cleanup easier:

To keep things organized, store your tools in compartmentalized bags or hang them on pegboards for easy access.

Once you’ve got everything ready, you’re all set to move on to Step 6: Map Out Installation.

Step 6: Map Out Installation

Plan your flooring layout carefully to get a polished look and reduce material waste.

Room Measurements

Start by using your room measurements to figure out how much material you'll need. Follow these steps for accurate calculations:

For precise measurements, consider these tools:

• DeWalt DW0165N Laser Distance Measurer ($109.00)
• T4F Pro Measuring Tape ($8.69)
• BIHUI Line Laser Level ($261.07)

Layout Planning

Use your measurements to decide the direction and pattern of your flooring.

Key Guidelines for Direction and Material Use:

• Lay planks lengthwise in the direction of natural light.
• For narrow rooms, go with vertical patterns to create a sense of space.
• Diagonal layouts work well in square rooms.
• Start with full-length planks at the entrance for a clean look.
• Use leftover pieces from row ends to start the next row, ensuring the offcut is at least twice the plank's width.
• Plan three rows at a time to avoid ending up with short pieces.

"Before you start, calculate the total surface area of the strips and the size of the floor, to ensure the strips are used efficiently. Use the offcut at the end of each row to start the next row. However, to ensure the floor is stable, the offcut length must be at least twice the width of a strip." - Panaget

Tips for Material Efficiency:

• Save smaller pieces for areas like closets.
• Double-check wall measurements for finishing touches.
• Test the layout without adhesives to make adjustments if needed.
• Factor in how the flooring flows between rooms for a seamless transition.

Tools like RenoPlan and Room Scanner can help you visualize the layout and spot potential issues before installation.

Once your layout is finalized, you're ready for the final preparations in Step 7.

Step 7: Final Preparation

Installation Team Setup

Make sure your installation team has clear and easy access. This means clearing pathways, removing loose rugs, taking down wall decor along transport routes, reserving parking for their vehicles, and ensuring outdoor access is free of obstacles.

Once access is sorted, focus on creating the best conditions in the room for the installation process.

Room Conditions

Keep the room's environment stable and within these guidelines:

Use a hygrometer to monitor conditions. If the space is too dry, set up a humidifier; if it's too damp, use a dehumidifier. Open windows for ventilation when the weather allows.

Choose Quality Installers

Picking the right installers is crucial. Look for professionals with the following qualifications:

For those in the Bay Area, Elephant Floors offers expert installation teams trained in hardwood, vinyl, and laminate flooring. Their installers go through extensive training and certifications to deliver top-notch results.

Here’s how to verify your installer’s credentials:

• Ask for proof of insurance and confirm their coverage.
• Request a Certificate of Insurance listing you as "additional insured".
• Check their portfolio of past projects.
• Read customer reviews and testimonials.
• Understand the warranty terms for both materials and labor.

Conclusion

Taking the time to properly prepare your floor ensures a smooth installation and a polished finish that lasts. As Speedy Floor Removal emphasizes:

"Floor surface preparation is the first and most important step for the installation of any flooring"

Skipping this step can lead to uneven surfaces, poor adhesion, and premature damage. A well-prepared surface not only saves you from expensive repairs but also delivers a high-quality result.

Working with experienced professionals is equally important. For those in the Bay Area, Elephant Floors, recognized as the "Best Flooring Store of Sunnyvale 2022", has a proven track record. Their focus on thorough preparation sets the stage for excellent outcomes.

"Surface preparation is all about creating a clean, smooth, and level substrate for your new flooring"

Stick to these steps and rely on skilled experts to achieve both performance and long-lasting appeal.

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