HELP! I’m new at this and not a handyman (or person) and i’m looking for some answers.
I had a company install #2 red oak in my home. They applied 1 coat of PolyVar polyurethane as a sealant and then 2 coats of Stratto 442 waterbased finish.
Questions: 1)why are there air bubbles and sealant or finish coming up thru the seams between the pieces of wood?
2)Why is the finish peelilng off?
3)What is the solution?
4)Do you recommend 3 coats of polyurethane instead of a waterbased finsih? Why?
5)Should my floor and thresholds be completely smooth or should there be ‘dry/rough’ spots where there is more ‘grain’ to the wood or on ‘curved’ areas?
6)At the threshold of my entryway, do you recommed this be one piece of wood? If so, why? Right now it is two pieces and there is a gap.
Obviously, i have a lot of questions. I’m being told ‘not to worry’, as this is all normal. My instincts tell me it is not.
Can anyone help shed some light onto these queries?
Thank you so very much.
C
Replies
Solution:
Immediately call your bank and issue a stop payment on your check to these goons.
They screwed up almost every aspect of this job. It needs to be refinished in a professional manner.
Waterbased poly is still not as durable as regular poly, and to a degree, it is like mixing oil and water. I"d go with 3 coats of the regular.
Thank you for your time. Luckily, i have only paid 50% (materials)and not 100%. I really appreciate your advice. It will help me 'stand my ground' and 'not cave in' when they try to tell me otherwise.
C
The areas where it feels rough are probably where they not sand between coats, which is necessary. The finish could also be peeling because the first layer did not cure before subsequent layers were were added.
There should not be gaps in a newly laid floor. Old floors sometimes have this. I hope you have a written contract, it often has or implies "workmanlike standards", which can help you resolve shoddy work, but hey, I'm no lawyer.
Thank you, again. All of your information will be helpful tomorrow when i show them the different areas i am dissatisfied with. Obviously, they are trying their best to convince me that 'wood has imperfections' and that because i am not a professional, i don't know what i'm talking about.
The first thing to do is greet them at the door with matching butcher's aprons so that they feel comfortable...