Return to the Building a Home Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
Posted by bebetokids (My Page) on Fri, Jul 27, 07 at 9:41
| Two weeks to go-this is the scariest and most exciting time! Last house I moved in I threw some old sheets on the carpet for protection but now I want to be better prepared. What are the best materials to use to protect the hardwoods and carpet as we move in? Any other precautions you took (walls, trim etc.) that were great ideas and worked well?
Thanks so much guys-I am starting to sweat here! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| We had some leftover very large sheets of cardboard that we taped down on the hardwood with the wide blue painter's tape. Worked fantastic! For the carpet, you can buy rolls of sticky plastic that's specifically for that. I think it cost around $12-$13/roll and it's about 2' wide. We just put a 4' path of it in the areas most traveled and into the bedrooms. We bought ours at Home Depot, I believe. |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| For the hard surfaces I use roofing felt--non-asphalted--red or grey, taped down with easy-release painters tape. |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| Hey bebetokids - Did you build a Frank Betz plan? Weren't you thinking about the Glen Haven, or was that someone else? When did you all start? We're almost done too - it should definitely be by the end og Aug. tho'. Good post - as we'll be where you are before too long! :) |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| We used the sticky stuff and it works great. It's still down since we moved in this week. Also red rosin paper on the HW floor fastened with blue masking tape also works nicely...Good luck!~ Our move went very well... |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| We used large cardboard boxes over our hardwood. Did the trick. |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| Read the label on the sticky stuff Carpet Shield has a time limit, I think 30 days?, that you can leave it on your carpet. Congratulations on moving in. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Carpet Shield
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| Thanks everyone for the suggestions and good wishes. These last 2 weeks are going to be crazy! missymar-we have built the Kensington Park from Frank Betz. We broke ground in March. We have had a very dry summer so there were no delays and things just moved right along. Seems to be moving at a snail's pace now. Good luck with your final days! |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| I am going to use the cardboard method to protect hardwood floors... but I am a bit leary that rolling my 36" fridge into th ekitchen will still leave marks through the cardboard... I was considering cardboard with sheets of luan on top... maybe just two that I keep rotating in front of the fridge as we get it in place... any other ideas? |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| I wouldn't bother with the cardboard, luan is pretty thin, and something "soft" under it is a problem. Just make sure the luan, and the floor are clean. If you are really worried about it, put rosin paper under the luan. Cut the luan into 12" wide strips, like a train track. Where ever you need to make a turn the full sheet is easier. Get it plugged in, and exactly in place. Tip the fridge one way, pull one strip out, tip it the other way, to pull the other strip out. Fridge never touches the floor until it's exactly in place. P.S. Congratulations on moving in AV |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| glad you asked the question! what about hardwood steps with no runner yet? we will need to move a washer/dryer and a treadmill up the steps. I worry that putting something like cardboard on the steps will be a fall hazard for the movers. |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| Yes it sounds like a law suit waiting to happen. My thought is they will only walk in the middle of the steps, the part that will eventually be covered. |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| Thanks again Bob. You're such a good person. I have no idea how they moved our fridge over the HW floors but we just had rosin paper everywhere at that point. What is luan anyway? |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| Appliance delivery guys are brutal on flooring. Why if I had a dime for every vinyl floor I've patched over the years, oh wait I do have a dime for... Any way luan is a cheap plywood, once upon a time it was used as an underlayment for vinyl. Most reputable flooring stores no longer use it. They have moved on to a product like Multiply, it's a little thicker than luan, and you belt sand the edges, instead of patching the seams. Customers, and builders that put down their own sub floor to save money use luan almost exclusively. You can buy luan at your local Menards, or Lowes. Glad you could remember. |
RE: protecting floors during move-in?
| | |
| Hardwood floors are an investment in the value of your home; protection of these floors is necessary in order to retain the beauty of your investment for years to come. Simple steps can be taken that will provide really big pay offs in the long run by allowing you to avoid the costly and time consuming process of refinishing your floors more often. It is also important to remember that every time your floors are refinished you are actually removing some of the wood that makes up your flooring. The less grinding you must do to your hardwood floors, the longer they have the potential to last. Must-Do Hardwood Floor Protection Tips 1) Use rugs and carpets in order to protect highly traveled areas of your floors. By using carpets and rugs in high traffic areas, you are minimizing the exposure of your floors to actual damage not only from traffic but also drops, spills, splatters, and any exposure to dirt and other debris that the carpet shields your floors from. 2) Place rubber mats in front of sinks or tubs to prevent unnecessary exposure to water in these areas. Water may not only warp your hardwood floors it can also cause stains or ‘water spots’ that are very unappealing. 3) Use a dehumidifier in bathroom floors in order to remove moisture from the air and limiting the exposure your wooden floors have to that moisture. This will also help limit the swelling and contracting of your floors due to humidity and steam. 4) Never wear shoes that can damage your hardwood floors on them. Heels, golf shoes, and any other shoes with either cleats are scratchy bottoms can bring all sorts of problems to your beautiful hardwood. 5) Trim the nails are of your dogs and cats in order to prevent unnecessary scratches to your hardwood floors. If you can hear their nails on your floors, it’s time for a trim. 6) Use protectors on the legs of all furniture to protect your floors. 7) Never drag furniture across your hardwood floors. If you must move it, use a hand truck or have a friend help you lift the furniture before moving it. If you must drag furniture across the floor, slide a small rug beneath the legs of your furniture before moving it. Keep in mind that when it comes to protecting your hardwood floors from damage, every ounce of prevention is worth a lot of money in a cure. |
Here is a link that might be useful: House buildings movers
|
|
|
|
