How Do You Prep A Concrete Floor For Glue-Down Hardwood?
Installing hardwood floor over concrete requires some extra preparation. Because concrete holds moisture, it must be contained or the wood floor will swell, causing cracks. Sweep and mop the floor thoroughly to remove any dirt and debris. Allow the floor to dry completely before continuing. Sand any areas of the concrete that are higher than the rest of the floor. Sweep again to remove any dust from the sanding. Following the manufacturer’s directions, apply a self-leveling concrete compound to any low areas of the floor. Allow the compound to set properly. Using a moisture meter, check the moisture content of your slab. The maximum moisture the slab can contain is 14 percent. If you slab registers a moisture content of less than 14 percent, you can skip steps 5 and 6, and continue on to step 8. If your reading is more than 14 percent, then you will need to run the following two tests. Following the manufacturer’s directions, run a calcium chloride test. The maximum amount of calcium c
