Consumer Homes.

Question:

For each home move one needs to update ones insurance policy. I don’t have the form in front of me but as I recall the questions that are asked don’t seem to distinguish much between homes of similar square footage. Clearly a home with hardwood flooring, upgraded broadloom, ceramic in the kitchen, Pella windows, ….. would cost more to replace/rebuild than a less endowed home of similar square footage. However I don’t think the insurance company asks such feature questions about the home. Can someone explain how home insurance works in this respect? Doug

Response:

The insurance company doesn’t decide what the size of your policy should be; you do.  They’ll be glad to help you figure it out, but the final decision is yours.  If you move and you think your new house would cost more or less to rebuild than your old one, then you need to tell your insurance company that and ask them to adjust the size of your coverage. Since I don’t know what form you’re talking about and I’ve obviously never seen it, I can’t state definitively why it asks the questions that it asks.  But if you’re correct that it doesn’t ask anything about the value of the house, then that’s probably because its purpose is not to deal with adjusting the coverage of your policy.  Rather, it is intended to deal with other things, such as: your new address and phone number; who holds the mortgage on the new house; how close it is to a fire station; whether it is in a flood plain; whether it has smoke detectors; etc.

Response:

I work in an insurance office. When we do a Homeowner quote, we ask many questions and take lots of things into consideration: square footage?, year built?, territory ( basically in city, in suburb?), hardwood/slate/marble floors?, large foyer? kitchen pack? – at least 3 built-ins, garage? – how many cars? attached? detached?, pool? inground? above ground?, pets? dogs? what breed? how many? bite history?, loss history for the past 3 years …. insurance. Most companies have computer programs that determine the dwelling amounts, etc. for various homes based upon the input of the agent and client. I would almost never recommend anyone insure their home for less than 100% replacement. There are occassions when one might, but generally, most people go for the 100% replacement. I would be sure to consider a reputable agent – get recommendations from your friends and family. Shop around – but shop coverages as well as price. Your home is one of your most important investments. Hope this helps. — =  Clorinda  =

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Can someone explain how home insurance works in this respect? > They usually will appraise the home to compare what its value is > compared to what you are insuring it for.  It may surprise you to > learn that frequently an insurance company will base their appraisal > on a drive by and a few pictures they take of the house at the time of > the appraisal – the fun really begins when you deal with their > adjuster after the loss!

Response:

Question:

I have two water heaters that, without going into the reasons, are located inside the living area of my new home, one on carpet and the other adjacent to hardwood flooring. Obviously, I’m living dangerously. I have found a product that seems to meet my needs in Convina Hardware’s HeaterGuard (http://www.covina.com/hardware/products/heatergd.htm). Any experiences (pro or con) with this product? Thanks in advance for any replies, David Pearce

Response:

David:          Just to let you know I found the same product at www.a-1plumbing.net at a cheaper price. I ordered it on Monday morning and received it on Thursday. Fast Service. My water heater is in the attic and after installing the heaterguard I opened the drain valve and got less than a pint of water out of the tank into the drain pan. I check the faucet in the kitchen and there was no water flow, so they do work. Steve The right to keep and bear arms.

Response:

Question:

How about bamboo? Certainly covers the environmental concerns. Ilene B

Response:

We looked at bamboo, you are correct about the env issuees, however it is very hard, very slippery, and very expensive. Looks very nice though. -avi > How about bamboo? Certainly covers the environmental concerns. > Ilene B

– Over TheNet   http://www.otn.com/   (805) 384-1144 350 N. Lantana Suite 208, Camarillo, CA 93011-1499 To Email me, remove the x’s from my name Before you buy.

Response:

: We looked at bamboo, you are correct about the env issuees, however it is : very hard, very slippery, and very expensive. Looks very nice though. How about cork?  Bouncy (not hard), probably not slippery depending on the finish, and it looks like you can get some very pretty patterns.  And, of course, from a renewable resource (good env.). I’m considering cork flooring over radiant heat if I ever redo the finished basement (with somewhat messed-up vinyl/lino flooring) that came with the townhouse I bought. Probably not, though, since the improvements the previous owner made already (hardwood flooring and gorgeous Anderson sliding-glass door onto deck) put it at the high end of units in the development, so I doubt I’d see any financial return on the "investment" (but I still want radiant floor heat someday!). "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."     – Big Al

Response:

Question:

> The latest issue of Fine Homebuilding shows an add for Bamboo Flooring. > Looks interesting. Anyone here know about it? Ad says its as hard as > maple! > David Hoerl > dfh "at" home dot com   (reply address has NO_SPAM_ spam filter)

see my post about a week or two ago…. someone asked the same question back then, perhaps there are other answers too.

Response:

The latest issue of Fine Homebuilding shows an add for Bamboo Flooring. Looks interesting. Anyone here know about it? Ad says its as hard as maple! David Hoerl dfh "at" home dot com   (reply address has NO_SPAM_ spam filter)

Response:

Question:

I recommend Artisan Hardwood Flooring in Medford.  Call 781.641.0743 and ask for Sunny.  They did a nice job with my house (1000 sf) 3 years ago and will be coming back to do a little more work in November. A couple of other recommendations from my friends:     Wade Sprague    603.432.3260     Bilafer                   781.275.7722 Good Luck!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I would like to a hardwood floor installed in my kitchen and refinish it > in the rest of the apartment. > Can someone recommend a professional in my area who could do it? > Where can I find information what are average prices for that kind of > job where I live? > Thanks > Monika

Response:

I would like to a hardwood floor installed in my kitchen and refinish it in the rest of the apartment. Can someone recommend a professional in my area who could do it? Where can I find information what are average prices for that kind of job where I live? Thanks Monika

Response:

I had a hardwood floor put down in my condo in Stoughton last year. Since it was directly on concrete, they had to put down a vapour barrier and a plywood subfloor which made it more expensive. I paid $10 per square foot. Builders usually charge around $7 per sqft for new hardflood floors as part of a building package in this area. Don’t settle for less than 3 coats of finish. A friend of mine just bought a house in Andover and I think he paid around $800 to have the floors sanded and refinished in 4 rooms and a hallway. c. > I would like to a hardwood floor installed in my kitchen and refinish it > in the rest of the apartment. > Can someone recommend a professional in my area who could do it? > Where can I find information what are average prices for that kind of > job where I live? > Thanks > Monika

– The girls of the Internet – I’d go online with them every day! – Homer Simpson Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Question:

We’ve just bought a house with hardwood floors and I was wondering how on earth to care for them.  Those big duster brooms?  Also, what to do in the event of a cat furball.  They stain carpet, so I’m assuming they’ll do a number on hardwood floors. TIA MJ Women who strive for equality with men lack ambition. Please note – to reply via email, remove the ".nospam" from the end of my address. http://www.communications.uci.edu/~inform/mj/arachne.html

Response:

If the floors are urethaned, as mine are, the furballs are not a problem. They are much easier to remove than from a light colored carpet (from one who knows ).  If the floors are not protected, then yes I’m sure that it would stain a little. I vacuum my floors and take a *slightly* damp mop to them to get the remaining dust. Even though my floors are very heavily urethaned, I don’t leave puddles of any liquid on them for long periods.  I am glad to be rid of carpeting, and love the wooden floors. Jackie Jackie Brophy        Tel: 508-647-7243 Business Systems Group    Fax:  508-647-7015 24 Prime Park Way         http://www.mathworks.com Natick, MA 01760 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >We’ve just bought a house with hardwood floors and I was wondering how >on earth to care for them.  Those big duster brooms?  Also, what to do >in the event of a cat furball.  They stain carpet, so I’m assuming >they’ll do a number on hardwood floors. >TIA >MJ >Women who strive for equality with men lack ambition. >Please note – to reply via email, >remove the ".nospam" from the end of my address. >http://www.communications.uci.edu/~inform/mj/arachne.html

Response:

I just vacuum mine. I think they’re polyurethaned, but the previous owners weren’t sure. (I think they’re a little too shiny to be just waxed.) –Martha – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We’ve just bought a house with hardwood floors and I was wondering how > on earth to care for them.  Those big duster brooms?  Also, what to do > in the event of a cat furball.  They stain carpet, so I’m assuming > they’ll do a number on hardwood floors. > TIA > MJ > Women who strive for equality with men lack ambition. > Please note – to reply via email, > remove the ".nospam" from the end of my address. > http://www.communications.uci.edu/~inform/mj/arachne.html

Response:

John Simonson has an article on Hardwood Flooring on www.builtonline.com (in the Articles section).  His article has a couple of links to sites with even more info.  If you’re curious about the hardness of the different hardwoods, Tiger Flooring also has an article on the site. Sanjay Nasta www.builtonline.com The Homeowner’s Resource

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We’ve just bought a house with hardwood floors and I was wondering how > on earth to care for them.  Those big duster brooms?  Also, what to do > in the event of a cat furball.  They stain carpet, so I’m assuming > they’ll do a number on hardwood floors. > TIA > MJ > Women who strive for equality with men lack ambition. > Please note – to reply via email, > remove the ".nospam" from the end of my address. > http://www.communications.uci.edu/~inform/mj/arachne.html

Response:

> We’ve just bought a house with hardwood floors and I was wondering how > on earth to care for them.  Those big duster brooms?  Also, what to do > in the event of a cat furball.  They stain carpet, so I’m assuming > they’ll do a number on hardwood floors.

Actually, polyurethaned hardwood is pretty much impervious to anything cats can do to it — it’s much easier to clean than carpet.  Even dried-up cat barf will clean up without damaging the floors if you just soak it with wet paper towels for several hours until it comes loose. For regular cleaning, I just vaccuum or sweep, and once in a while I mop with a solution of white vinegar in plain water.  Don’t wax or use a cleaner which can leave a film.  Another useful tip is to get used to taking your shoes off at the door, so that you don’t track grit all over the house which can scratch up the floors. -Sandra

Response:

vist www.nofma.org    - that stands for National Oak Flooring Mfgr’s Assoc.   One of the best sites on internet

Response:

Question:

I have a 97 5.0 AWD, 28,000 miles.  I currently live in Alaska and the truck does spectacular in snow and ice (with studded tires).  The only real problem I have ever had with this SUV was a warped pully on the alternater causing the fan belt to squil.  Ford replaced the fan belt twice before I "self" diagnosed the problem and told Ford what to do.  They agreed with me and replaced the pully…….no noise since.  Other than that, I have had zero complaints and have not gotten tired of driving this thing yet.  Course, I plan to buy an Expedition in about a year. Edward A. Brusher, LCSW CPT, MS United States Army

Response:

I’ve got the same truck.  I normally get bored with my vehicles after 6 months.  I’ve had this one for 2 years and love it.  It does great in the snow or rain, I can load it up (most recently with 800 lbs. of hardwood flooring) with no sweat, and it’s quicker than most of the other trucks on the road. Enjoy! Damalek

Response:

Question:

> >> But does this include the cost of refinishing hardwood floors? In >> Rochester, NY, the cost to refinish a floor is $2 sq ft for sanding >> and one coat, $1 sq ft for each additional coat. >         Just had 4 rooms sanded and 3 coats,1 sealer 2 finnish >         and I live in Rochester NY. Had 4 est. from jobers >         and found a range to be from $2 to $4.10sq ft. >         None of the jobers would put down only one coat. >         It seems that you have paid $3 a ft too for a new >         floor

I don’t include the sealer as a coat, it is prep work. The quotes I got at the time (about 6 years ago), $2 sq ft for the sealer and one coat of poly. For each additional coat of poly was $1 sq ft. The $2 price seems seem reasonable, the $4.10 is very high. At $4.10 a sq ft (for only 2 coats of poly which is not enough IMHO), you could buy $36.90 sq yd carpeting which is hgh quality carpeting. Just the cost of restoring a hardwood floor is equal to high quality carpeting. Once again, someone explain to me why hardwood flooring is a great investment. Mark

Response:

> > >> But does this include the cost of refinishing hardwood floors? In > >> Rochester, NY, the cost to refinish a floor is $2 sq ft for sanding > >> and one coat, $1 sq ft for each additional coat. > Once again, someone explain to me why hardwood flooring is a great > investment.

Two things:  One, in your neck of the woods, costs for wood floor work seem very high compared to other areas.  Two, *re*finishing a hardwood floor often does not need to include sanding all the way down.  After the initial sand & coat, future "refinishings" require only screening and a fresh surface coat of poly.  I would expect this to be less than half the cost of a full refinish. — Jeff Benjamin                                  benji(at)fc.hp.com Hewlett Packard Co.                        Fort Collins, Colorado               (Direct reply won’t work:  use address in .sig) "The Laws of Physics will always override the Laws of Economics."         – Dan Holohan

Response:

>Once again, someone explain to me why hardwood flooring is a great >investment. >Mark

Hello all,  great question. Hardwood floors add to ; The structural value of a home, The beauty of a home, The added real estate value. They are easier to keep  clean than carpets and can be resanded and refinished with less expense than replacing carpets.  Carpets last on average about 7 to 8 yrs,.  You can expect hardwood floors to last the life of the building . In some cases, buildings are torn down yet the hardwood floors are recaimed for reuse.  They can , in the worst of cases , be recycled into other wood/paper products. Save the planet!! In addition, when folks go to sell their homes, real estate agents love a house with hardwood floors, as do prospective buyers. A pretty good investment all around. All good , long term investments require a little upkeep. Hardwood floors are no exception.   Best wishes, Ari Ben Harav Tiger Floors, Inc. Lexington, Ma www.tigerfloors.com

Response:

>> But does this include the cost of refinishing hardwood floors? In > Rochester, NY, the cost to refinish a floor is $2 sq ft for sanding > and one coat, $1 sq ft for each additional coat. >You have astromomical labor costs there.  Finishing my newly laid >floor didn’t come to more than $3/sqft.  However, even without >refinishing, it lasts longer than vinyl or carpet.  I had wood >Besides, nobody says you have to sand down to the bare wood >to restore the floor.

        Just had 4 rooms sanded and 3 coats,1 sealer 2 finnish         and I live in Rochester NY. Had 4 est. from jobers         and found a range to be from $2 to $4.10sq ft.         None of the jobers would put down only one coat.         It seems that you have paid $3 a ft too for a new         floor

Response:

> Does she know you go around telling people she’s out of style and worn > out?  :)

Nah, I am not in trouble. She read the Usenet once, to many assholes posting so she doesn’t bother. Mark

Response:

>I do love hardwood floring, I plan to install hardwoods in my living and >dinning room plus the hallways and staircase. I just question the >investment value for all rooms. When I finish my 10 year remodeling plan >:-), I will have hardwood in the

It is important to remember that all investments  require maintainence.  IRA accounts have yearly fees.  Homes have upkeep costs. Good carpets and hardwood floors are no exception.  The carpets can be cleaned but they wear out in ten years. Hardwood floors will outlast most buildings.  When they tear down the building,  you could still reclaim the flooring and use it elsewhere. Ari Ben Harav Tiger Floors, Inc. Lexington, Ma www.tigerfloors.com

Response:

>> Think of all those shag carpets put down in the ’60s, early ’70s, that were out > of style in 5 years, and didn’t wear out for 5-10 more. >I have this problem with my wife

<snip> Does she know you go around telling people she’s out of style and worn out?  :) Rick Marinelli http://www.erols.com/rickandlisa

Response:

benjii writes: >In addition, hardwood never goes out of style and maintains the resale >value of the house better than vinyl or carpet, which can quickly get >worn and/or dated

Think of all those shag carpets put down in the ’60s, early ’70s, that were out of style in 5 years, and didn’t wear out for 5-10 more.   It is possible for decently cared for wood floors to get along without refinishing, and look great, for up to 50 years.  Try that with carpet or tile. Get the grit off your feet and keep it clean. Charlie Self Word Worker

Response:

> Think of all those shag carpets put down in the ’60s, early ’70s, that were out > of style in 5 years, and didn’t wear out for 5-10 more.

I have this problem with my wife, the existing hardwood floor looks dated. The house has a beach (sp) floor, looks like a gym floor. I removed alot of it in the bedrooms (replaced the joist) and was planing on using it for the living and dining rooms. Now she want new oak floors, so much for the budget > It is possible for decently cared for wood floors to get along without > refinishing, and look great, for up to 50 years.  Try that with carpet or tile.

This discussion has turn from a great investment to which is a better flooring method. A maple floor is a far superior than any carpeting. Once again, I like hardwood floors. But it is wishfully think that you could buy a house with hardwood floors, just pull up the carpeting and you have a great looking floor. For someone buying a house with hardwod floors, you should understand all the cost which around here, is alot of money. But the question remain, is hardwood floors a great investment. At $60 sq yd (realistic estimate), it would cost me around $10,000 to install hardwood floors. Would this increase the price of my house by 10K? I be fair, I do beleive that refinish existing hardwood floors is a much better investment than carpeting. Mark Armstrong

Response:

> Comparing a maple floor in a low traffic area to cheap carpeting > in a high traffic area, is that a fair comparison?

Now your making all sorts of assumptions about the traffic in my house.  I tell you that my dining room gets a lot more traffic than my bedroom does.  The dining room table is the major home work area, laundry sorting, etc… surface in the house. > What was the total cost of your maple flooring? You spent no more > than $3/sqft to finish it, plus the cost of floor and installation > cost, maybe $60-70/sq yard?

Cost me just under $3/sqft to buy the wood (#2 maple, we figured that as light as maple was, we needed the variation in coloration over the first quality stuff).  I put it in myself.

Response:

>  In > Rochester, NY, the cost to refinish a floor is $2 sq ft for sanding > and one coat, $1 sq ft for each additional coat. > You have astromomical labor costs there.  Finishing my newly laid > floor didn’t come to more than $3/sqft.  

The local refinishers seem to get together and set the prices. Everyone charged the same rates. > The maple > floor in my dining room I did 10 years ago looks better than the > $18/sqyard wall to wall that we did the upstairs in less than > five years ago.

Comparing a maple floor in a low traffic area to cheap carpeting in a high traffic area, is that a fair comparison? We did the cheap carpeting thing, 40% wornafter 4 months. My wife did get them to remove and replace it.I also have some very high quality carpet in the house, over 20 years old and looks ok.  Hardwood floor is a high quality flooring option, so is 40-50 sq yd carpeting (or a $25-30 sq yd berber). The subject is, Hardwood Floors, A Great investment What was the total cost of your maple flooring? You spent no more than $3/sqft to finish it, plus the cost of floor and installation cost, maybe $60-70/sq yard? I laid down about 80 yards of carpeting upstairs, spent about $2000. At $70 a yard, this comes to $5600 for maple floors. Not sure if this is a good invetment, even at a carpet life of 10 years, I could get about 25 year worth of carpeting for the cost of hardwood. Linoleum is another issue. I installed some cheap stuff in the kitchen, I would agree on the 8 year life, it does need replacing. I also installed some top of the line stuff (Armstrong Solarium?) in the main bath, after 5 years and 3 major floods, it still looks new. I expect a 20 year life out of this stuff. The good stuff cost me around $35 sq yd installed. I do love hardwood floring, I plan to install hardwoods in my living and dinning room plus the hallways and staircase. I just question the investment value for all rooms. When I finish my 10 year remodeling plan , I will have hardwood in the living and dining room plus the hallways and staircase. I will use runners on the staircase and hallways. Tiles for the mud and laundry room. Linoleum for the kitchen, carpet for the bedrooms and family rooms. Mark Armstrong

Response:

> > Most floor coverings , carpet, linoleum , etc. last an average of 8 years. > Hardwood floors can easily last the life of the building. > But does this include the cost of refinishing hardwood floors? In > Rochester, NY, the cost to refinish a floor is $2 sq ft for sanding > and one coat, $1 sq ft for each additional coat. So for 3 coats, this > comes up to $36 sq yard which is the same coat as high quality linoleum > or very good quality carpeting. So for an investment point of view, > are hardwood floors truely worth the money?

Maybe not in your neck of the woods.  Here in northern Colorado, the going rate is $1.75 per sq ft with three coats (1 sealer, 2 polyurethane) – the same as cheap carpet or linoleum. In addition, hardwood never goes out of style and maintains the resale value of the house better than vinyl or carpet, which can quickly get worn and/or dated. — Jeff Benjamin                                  benji(at)fc.hp.com Hewlett Packard Co.                        Fort Collins, Colorado               (Direct reply won’t work:  use address in .sig) "The Laws of Physics will always override the Laws of Economics."         – Dan Holohan

Response:

                         And here’s why; Hardwood floors are generally nailed through the sub floor to the joists which adds structural integrity to your home. Hardwood floors act as thermal insulators. Hardwood floors add value to your real estate investment.  They generally make a property easier to sell. Hardwood floors are very durable.  Sometimes when old buildings are destroyed the hardwood floors can be reclaimed and reused. Most floor coverings , carpet, linoleum , etc. last an average of 8 years. Hardwood floors can easily last the life of the building. With today’s awareness of allergies from dust mites in carpets, hardwood floors mean the difference between enjoying a home and suffering from the dust mites in the carpets. Hardwood floors come from a renewable natural resource and can be recycled into other wood products years later, ( particle board, paper, mulch, etc.)   Now THAT is sounds like a great investment. Best wishes, .   Ari Ben Harav Tiger Floors, Inc. Lexington, Ma www.tigerfloors.com

Response:

> Hardwood floors are very durable.  Sometimes when old buildings are destroyed > the hardwood floors can be reclaimed and reused. > Most floor coverings , carpet, linoleum , etc. last an average of 8 years. > Hardwood floors can easily last the life of the building.

But does this include the cost of refinishing hardwood floors? In Rochester, NY, the cost to refinish a floor is $2 sq ft for sanding and one coat, $1 sq ft for each additional coat. So for 3 coats, this comes up to $36 sq yard which is the same coat as high quality linoleum or very good quality carpeting. So for an investment point of view, are hardwood floors truely worth the money? Mark Armstrong page.kodak.com

Response:

> But does this include the cost of refinishing hardwood floors? In > Rochester, NY, the cost to refinish a floor is $2 sq ft for sanding > and one coat, $1 sq ft for each additional coat.

You have astromomical labor costs there.  Finishing my newly laid floor didn’t come to more than $3/sqft.  However, even without refinishing, it lasts longer than vinyl or carpet.  I had wood floors in my apartment build in college that hadn’t been touched in 50 years (student housing) and were still livable.  The maple floor in my dining room I did 10 years ago looks better than the $18/sqyard wall to wall that we did the upstairs in less than five years ago. Besides, nobody says you have to sand down to the bare wood to restore the floor.

Response:

Question:

We have just purchased a house built in 1902.  There is carpet over the hardwood floors in most of the upstairs area.  What is the best way to redo the hardwood floors?  What should we look for in refinishing companies? Any ideas about the cost per sq. ft.? Thanks Palmer and Trudi Bayless

Response:

My hardwood floors refinished cost 1.25 per square foot. I am in Orlando, FL. They were in good shape but had not been refinished in probably 30 years. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >We have just purchased a house built in 1902.  There is carpet over the >hardwood floors in most of the upstairs area.  What is the best way to redo >the hardwood floors?  What should we look for in refinishing companies? >Any ideas about the cost per sq. ft.? >Thanks >Palmer and Trudi Bayless

Response:

Question:

Hi, We are getting ready to remodel an older house that has some hardwood floors that need to be refinished, although you have recommended  a liquid remover…what do you do about the areas that have scuff marks??????? Darlene

Response:

If you ever plan to redo the polyurethane, don’t use anything that has oil or wax in it unless you plan to completely sand off the finish.  Apparently the surface has to be wax free or the polyurethane peels.  We have a kitchen that has polyurethane but waxed floors in the rest of the house. There’s a way of slightly roughing up the surface and putting down a new coat of finish but we can’t use it because just walking from the waxed floors onto the polyurethane puts enough wax on the finish so the floor guys won’t guarantee that the finish won’t peel. Carol — Carol . – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The floor appears to have a slight urethane (or similar) coating and it > appears that what it needs is a good cleaning (with Murphy’s Oil Soap) to > remove the carpet padding marks and then a good polishing with some kind of > wax product.  At least that’s what I think. > Sy > Please Post AND Reply by e-mail to:

Response:

> Hi, > We are getting ready to remodel an older house that has some hardwood floors > that need to be refinished, although you have recommended  a liquid > remover…what do you do about the areas that have scuff marks??????? > Darlene

Murphy’s Oil Soap worked for me.  Plus, some elbow grease of course. Good luck, Sy — Please Post AND Reply by e-mail to:

Response:

The carpet backing may have a latex oil from the original rubber element which has transfered from the backing  into the wood. This design is sometimes visible after sanding but disappears when polyurethane is applied. If you don’t intend to sand , you might try washing the floor rather liberally with turpentine.   Test a small area first , in a less noticable part of the floor.  This process sometimes lifts out the backing, imprint. Good luck. Ari Ben Harav Tiger Floors, Inc. Lexington, Ma www.tigerfloors.com

Response:

Funny, this is exactly the problem I was going to post about.  I would be very interested in what you find out as well.  Thanks. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am having old carpeting removed from my house and have found that there > is beautiful hardwood flooring underneath that appears to be like new. The > only thing wrong is that there is a slight marking of the wood because of > the rubber carpet padding which had been over it.

Response:

Having only done this with small objects like a desk, I still offer the idea:  Homer Formby’s Furniture Refinisher (or chemical equivalent) The stuff is pungent, but allows you to break the surface finish, mop up contamination, and then leave the wood with its first sealer coat (all with no sanding)                                               – Robert – – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Funny, this is exactly the problem I was going to post about.  I would be > very interested in what you find out as well.  Thanks. > I am having old carpeting removed from my house and have found that there > is beautiful hardwood flooring underneath that appears to be like new. > The > only thing wrong is that there is a slight marking of the wood because of > the rubber carpet padding which had been over it.

Response:

>idea:  Homer Formby’s Furniture Refinisher (or chemical equivalent)

This sounds great for small areas.   I wonder how big an area you could do before  the project  becomes a nightmare. Sometimes solutions that work on small projects just don’t work out  on hardwood  floors.  Larger areas require larger tools and sometimes more people to control the substances and the outcome.  I’d be very interested to know how it all works out if you try it on the living room. Good luck Ari Ben Harav Tiger Floors, Inc. Lexington, Ma www.tigerfloors.com

Response:

I am having old carpeting removed from my house and have found that there is beautiful hardwood flooring underneath that appears to be like new.  The only thing wrong is that there is a slight marking of the wood because of the rubber carpet padding which had been over it. The floor appears to have a slight urethane (or similar) coating and it appears that what it needs is a good cleaning (with Murphy’s Oil Soap) to remove the carpet padding marks and then a good polishing with some kind of wax product.  At least that’s what I think. Any comments or recommedations will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Sy Please Post AND Reply by e-mail to: — Please Post AND Reply by e-mail to:

Response:

I am having old carpeting removed from my house and have found that there is beautiful hardwood flooring underneath that appears to be like new.  The only thing wrong is that there is a slight marking of the wood because of the rubber carpet padding which had been over it. The floor appears to have a slight urethane (or similar) coating and it appears that what it needs is a good cleaning (with Murphy’s Oil Soap?) to remove the carpet padding marks and then a good polishing with some kind of wax product.  At least that’s what I think. Any comments or recommedations will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Sy Please Post AND Reply by e-mail to: — Please Post AND Reply by e-mail to:

Response: