No solid floor for 15 months?

S

swordshead

Guest
Im about to move into my new apt in a few weeks. Ive put a substantial deposit down on some solid walnut flooring, but the site foreman suggested i wait at least another 15 months from now before putting solid wood down, due to the building not being dry etc. This seems an awfully long time and i really dont want to go without a floor for that long. The block is 3 months old now..is he right?
 
There is something seriously wrong if the building will not be dry in less than 15 months.

A hardwood floor should not generally be layed on concrete slab less than 60 days as the moisture content will still be too high.

A good test is to place a solid rubber mat directly onto the conc slab (i.e. front door mat or similar) with some weight on top of it (maybe a few books). Leave overnight and lift the mat. If there are small darkish damp patches then the floor is still holding too much moisture.

I would question why the foreman doesn't think the slab will be dry enough before then though.
 
I thought that was a really long time alright! I had heard about getting moisture tests done etc. The apt block will be 6 mths old when i officially move in-is that not loads of time?
 
Actually he also said to expect "drying out cracks" over time and pointed to the ceiling and coving! Is this correct too? Im suspecting a menolly homes/drynam scenario here now!
 
It is possible that there may be some 'drying out' cracks. This is caused more by temperature change from the time of plastering etc.

If the structure was very cold at the time when doors, archs, frames, and skirtings were fitted, then when the temperature rises they will expand. I've known doors to wedge shut thruogh this.

Hopefully this won't be the case.

If its going to be 6 months since it was built till you move in, you should hopefully have passed this stage.

It would also depend on the construction. If the place was dry-lined then it is less likely you will experience it than plaster directly onto blockwork.

All building elements will contract and expand.
 
A simple check with a moisture meter will reveal whether a floor is sufficiently dry to install a timber floor but in anycase 15 months sounds mad!
 
Ok..so the consensus is 15 mths is too long..but im still unsure what to do now..take the chance and put it down or listen to the foreman as i wouldve presumed he knows what hes talking about! :confused: Its alot of money to spend when ill be worrying the whole time if its going to warp!
 
Put the heating on low level about 2-3 weeks before your going to lay the floor. This should dry any moisture that remains in the slab. Then do what i suggested with the rubber mat. Any moisture will appear here. If it looks dry you'll be fine. Or like mentioned before get a moisture meter from a hire shop (though you should't need to imo).

Who's laying the floor for you?

If it's a company then they should also advise.
 
I second Carpenters suggestion - talk to a floor layer about what moisture level is acceptable and get a moisture meter.
 
I'll third the suggestion so! If it's an expensive floor, as it sounds, then you'd be mad to take the chance. Get a proper and accurate measurement done, and only install once the level is right. recommend no higher than 12-14%.
Leo
 
You could always run a dehimidifier in the place for a couple of weeks... you'd be amazed by the amount of water they take out of a new build. We have done this and laid solid floors into newly built properties without problem.
 
themetunegal said:
You could always run a dehimidifier in the place for a couple of weeks... you'd be amazed by the amount of water they take out of a new build. We have done this and laid solid floors into newly built properties without problem.
Click to expand...

All well and good but accelerating the drying out process can lead to other problems within the apartment- shrinking frames, architraves and skirtings, twisting of structural timber etc, nail popping etc etc. Best to let drying out and heating of a new build be a slow and gradual process.
 
Hi, I recently laid a solid Walnut floor in a new house. I originally wanted to lay it directly onto a concrete floor but I was advised against it by a number of professionals. Walnut apparently is extremely sensitive to moisture so at a minimum you should get a moisture check done.
I ended up putting down a water proof membrane, plywood, and then nailing the Walnut flooring into the plywood. Looks good now.
Be extremely careful who you get to do it though. I ended up sending two cowboys home as they were gonna make an ar*e of it at one stage.
 
Steevo said:
Be extremely careful who you get to do it though. I ended up sending two cowboys home as they were gonna make an ar*e of it at one stage.
Click to expand...
Why?What were they going to do? I have absolutely no experience of laying floors and yes it is v expensive..€2k for just the wood for the sitting room and small hall! I think ill just see if the supplier will swap for semi solid at this stage..too scary to think of the consequences. Cheers for all the advice though!
 
some have advised getting dehumidifiers and putting on heating etc.
this is bad advice. you dont want to overdry the wood as this will cause trouble when next summer comes around and windows are open on dewey mornings. all that dried out wood will swell mightily and either pop up in the middle or in a worst case scenario, move your walls
solution:
fit but dont glue the last row until until about next july
 
They were supposed to lay the floor on a week that I was on holiday, they ended up changing the days at the last minute and I ended up being in the house when they arrived. I left them to it and after a couple of hours I said I'd check on them to see what they were upto, Anyway, they were in the process of floating the solid walnut floor, ie just glueing the lats of wood together and floating it on a spongey material stuff. Would have looked okay for a couple of weeks I'm told and then would have started falling to bits. Just as well I was there...
I ended up getting a guy that the shop recommended...
 
xt40 said:
some have advised getting dehumidifiers and putting on heating etc.
Click to expand...

I wasn't advising to put heating on whilst the timber was being fitted or in place. Just on a low level for 2/3 weeks prior to fitting in order to dry the floor slab. We have done this on numerous projects especially during winter months on new build developments. A sharp rise in temperature will cause more damage than a gradual rise as i'm sure you are aware.

As for a de-humidifier, definately a no no. As carpenter's response.

Swordshead, You'll require the same conditions for semi-solid.
Click to expand...
 
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