Post-Installation

What You Need To Do After Installation

POST - INSTALLATION

Immediately following installation, clean and remove all dirt and debris on floor by dry mopping. Cover and protect completed flooring from further construction traffic with heavy Kraft-paper or other suitable coverings with a vapor permeance (perm rating) of 1 perm or more (tested in accordance with ASTM E-96) to avoid trapping moisture/vapor on or within the floor. However, be aware that covering a glue-down application may not allow some adhesives to properly cure. Follow Bayshore Wood Flooring’s recommendations. Do not use non-breathable sheet or film that could cause condensation to form. Any coverings should be taped, using a low-adhesion tape, to base or shoe moldings. Do not tape to finished flooring. When taping paper or sheets together, tape them to each other, not to the floor. Maintain covering throughout remainder of construction period. Do not allow any foot traffic or heavy furniture placement for at least 24 hours. Approximately 2 days after installation is complete, gradually (over a period of 1 week) raise the temperature of the heating system to its desired operating level.

Surface Temperature of flooring should never exceed 81 degrees F/27 degrees C. Exceeding this temperature will void any warranty.

Installing over Radiant Heating Systems

With radiant heat, the heat source is directly beneath the flooring, so the flooring may dry out faster than a similar floor in a home with a conventional heating system. European Elegance wood flooring can be installed over radiant heat as long as you understand radiant heat and how it can impact wood flooring, what precautions to take, and what type of wood flooring to use.

  • Only install Bayshore Wood Flooring recommended for radiant heating systems involving tubing/water heated systems under concrete or plywood subfloors.
  • Perform and document a pressure test by a qualified plumber prior to installation of the wood flooring.
  • If installing over concrete supported tubular heating systems, make sure concrete is dry. It is recommended to turn on the system before installing the floor (5-6 days min assuming the slab is 60 days or older). If not, moisture left in the slab will enter the wood flooring as soon as the heat is turn on resulting expansion, contraction that can cause harm to the wood floor.
  • Unlike conventional heating systems, which switch on as needed, radiant systems work most effectively and with less trauma to the wood floor if the heating process is gradual, based on small incremental increases in relations to the outside temperature. For this reason, we suggest an outside thermostat be installed to help ensure gradual temperature change.
  • Radiant heat is a dry heat. A humidification system may be necessary to maintain wood flooring in its comfort zone.
  • Make sure the heating system is turned off before installation.
  • The maximum allowable subfloor surface temperature is 80 degrees F.
  • Expect some shrinkage during heating season.
  • Wood does move and seasonal gapping may occur.

    Wood Flooring has a comfort level: wood flooring will perform best when the interior environment is controlled to stay within a relative humidity range of 30-50% and a temperature range between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Protection, Maintenance and Care:

Wood is subject to fading when exposed to direct sunlight. Whenever possible, use drapes or other systems to protect your floor from excessive light. Wood expands/contacts in response to fluctuations in temperature / humidity. Maintaining the recommended temperature (60-70ºF (15-21ºC)) and relative humidity (35-55%) will minimize the visible effects of normal expansion/contraction. In very dry climates, a humidifier may be necessary. Wood is photosensitive & will change color as they are or are exposed to UV light. This natural occurring phenomenon is NOT considered a material defect and is excluded from coverage under the provisions of Bayshore Wood Floors Wood Products.

While specific-finish types may require different maintenance, some guidelines apply to the care of all wood floors.

  • Sweep or vacuum regularly to keep your floor free of dust and eliminate abrasives that can scratch the finish. Beater bars and dirty wheels on your vacuum can mar your floor.

  • Quickly wipe up any spills from the floor to protect wood from excess liquids.

  • Use mats outside and inside entrances so sand and other rough particles cannot build up on the floor. Avoid mats with rubber or other dense backings that will block airflow beneath rugs or might retain abrasives and humidity.

  • Use mats near sinks, dishwasher and workstations to protect your floor from cooking tools, water, soaps, oils, and other kitchen mishaps.

  • Stick felt pads under all furniture or chair legs so they can easily slide and to avoid scratches. Always keep such pads clean. 

  • Check often for signs of wear, in which case replace promptly.

  • Large soft polyurethane or rubber casters are much better than narrow hard plastic casters.

  • Protect your floor when moving heavy furniture. One idea: Turn a mat over and then place a piece of plywood on it. Put furniture on this so it can slide smoothly over your floor. Make sure the mat’s surface is clean and free of sand, rocks, or other abrasive objects.

  • Pointed objects such as spiked heels or sport shoes, can easily damage the finish of your floor especially if worn or damaged.

  • Water and sand are the worst enemies of hardwood floors. Next are spiked heeled shoes. This is true for all floor surfaces, even concrete flooring.

  • Keep the relative humidity level between 35-55% for your health as well as for your wood floors and wood furnishings. Wood is a natural material that absorbs and releases moisture depending on the relative humidity. With high humidity, wood absorbs the excess humidity and expands, which can cause buckling in the flooring. Keep the humidity level down by using a dehumidifier or dehumidifying air conditioning system or with a heating system and good ventilation. During dry periods (periods of low relative humidity), wood releases moisture and will contract and shrink which can cause gaps between strips and even cupping.

  • If the relative humidity is low, use a humidifier to reduce shrinking of the wood. The multilayer construction of Essex’s engineered flooring is not as prone to movement as traditional solid wood flooring, but it is still subject to the physical laws of nature and can shrink or expand in very dry or extremely humid environments.

  • Pet claws should be trimmed regularly to avoid scratching floors.

  • Your floor should be protected from sunlight and intense artificial lighting to reduce discoloration. Wood naturally changes color over time and with exposure to light. This is a natural phenomenon with all wood surfaces. Different kinds of wood will change color to varying degrees. This is not a defect. You can minimize this color change by moving around furniture and carpets and reducing strong light sources. These changes in wood color result from the natural process of the wood aging. It is not due to the yellowing of the finish.