Too Much Glue Hardwood To Concrete

Glue forms the initial bond but without screws and nails the natural expansion and contraction of the wood can break or weaken the glue.

Too much glue hardwood to concrete.

Glue down hardwood floors on concrete. Solid hardwood should not be glued to a concrete slab. Spread only enough glue for an hour s work at least until you re more comfortable with the process. Glue is a secondary method of attachment for bonding wood to concrete.

Be advised that over strapping can adversely affect the floor and may result in glue bond failure seam peaking twisted boards or out of square floor board alignment. Concrete has a dull black finish that i think is from the previous glue that was used 1966 and has some remnant dust from the homosote. Photos by charles bickford except where noted. The installation of hardwood floors by the glue down method is used predominately on concrete slabs.

I have seen some glue down 3 4 solid hardwood floors directly to concrete and many installers use straps or clamps in an effort to force board rows tighter together during installation. They use too much adhesive thinking that more is better and the panels will be more secure this way. I have seen some major disasters because someone who lacked experience did exactly what this post suggests and ended up with a 16 000 failure in no time. Once the glue dries it s much harder to remove.

Applications are more prominent with residential construction in sunbelt areas commercial locations and high rise dwellings. Engineered hardwood is perfectly suited to do the job and there is no reason to glue down solid hardwood. When glue is used in conjunction with screws and nails the bond is strong enough to resist natural movement of the wood. Clean up as you go.

This is a common mistake with newcomers to the do it yourself hardwood flooring field. Ken fisher is a flooring contractor in bonita springs fla.