Frequently Asked Questions
Protect & Clean
Apply E2 Chair Glides to all chairs, stools, and other furniture that will be moved on the floor. These heavy-duty pads have an easy-to-apply self-adhesive backing. E2 chairs glides are available in several sizes and may be purchased at home improvement stores.
Keeping your hardwood floors clean and beautiful is as simple as vacuuming and damp-mopping. White vinegar (1 cup/1 gallon water) can be used to effectively clean all surface finishes. We also recommend "Preferred Wood Floor Cleaner." and "Bona" care cleaner. These are specially formulated for Bona and Waterbourne finishes. The authentic Sh-Mop with two washable terry cloth headcovers is perfect for damp or dry mopping. **** CAUTION - NEVER use Murphey's Oil, Pledge, Mop, and Glow, or similar products that contain wax and/or oils. These products can cause severe reactions when maintenance coats are required.
Warranty
We warrant the grade of material and workmanship for one year. We warrant the moisture content of your flooring, making sure it falls within industry standards. We warrant all work to be completed in a substantial and workmanlike manner according to standard practices.
We do not warrant against cupping, buckling, or shrinking. This is because those effects are due to improper care or climate conditions beyond our control. We do not warrant that the finish will never wear out, scratch or dent. No guarantee against color change. We do not warrant that the finish will not amber yellow or change color due to ultraviolet rays or lighting. The items we do not warrant are influenced by on-site conditions and are beyond our control.
Company & Crew
1995 - Gabriel Pena learned the hardwood flooring trade and worked as a master journeyman for 12 years 2007 - Custom Hardwood Floors, Inc established by current President, Gabriel Pena. 2008 - Established permanent office in Ventura California.
Each job is assigned to a journeyman and an apprentice. Large jobs may require additional personnel.
Each crew boss is a journeyman trained by Custom Hardwood Floors Inc through a two-year apprenticeship program. On-going training includes thirty minutes of safety and craftsmanship classes each month.
Dust Protection
Plastic off affected areas to contain dust. Sheets and stick pins may be used for doorways. Remove picture frames, wall hangings, curtains, knick-knacks, plants, and anything you don't want dusted from the room. Cover ALL electronic equipment and furniture in adjacent rooms.
Most wood dust does not stain and is easily removed from walls, carpet, and furniture.
Most wood dust is not toxic to any of the above.
A vacuum hose will be attached to each piece of sanding equipment and hosed outside to a collection bag. This will greatly reduce air-borne dust in your home. **We do not provide dust protection or cleaning unless specified in writing and requested at extra charge**
Installation
The following should be observed in areas to be installed: Remove furniture, appliances, toilets, carpet, tackless pad, staples, and nails, carpet, and base shoe. Observe all dust protection measures.
The long direction to the room or across the floor joists is our first recommendation. Note: Floors wear longer if traffic flow is in the direction of the wood.
Our crew will install 200 - 300 Square feet per day on average. Job site conditions may decrease or increase footage installed.
Make sure CHF has a key or have arrangements made to let the men in. Leave a telephone number where you can be reached or a contact person for emergencies or to make decisions.
Sanding
Observe all dust protection measures as outlined in the Dust Protection section. Turn off/disconnect all household detectors. i.e., carbon, fire, vapor, etc. The crew boss will need a 220-volt power supply for the drum sander. An electric clothes dryer or stove outlet may be used. If necessary, we can connect to the main panel box.
All cracks, nails, holes, and defects will be filled with a "hard putty" after the floor has been rough sanded. Any small cracks or holes left after sanding will be filled between finish coats. A 100% fill job is impossible to achieve.
Our crew will sand and seal 200-300 Square feet per day on average. This footage may vary due to job site conditions.
Remove any masking tape the next day and set heat vents in place. There may be lights to turn off and check the thermostat setting. In some cases, the baseboards may need touch-up paint.
Vermeister Finishing Systems
VerMeister sealers and finishes are unparalleled in appearance and durability, with market-leading low environmental impact.
No. VerMeister boasts a large system of adhesives, sealers and finishes with a VOC (volatile organic compounds) rating of 200 or less. Our products are far below the most stringent EPA standards, including those of the Los Angeles county.
With little or no foot traffic, the finish could last for decades without any maintenance. Most floors, however, have to endure the traffic of Dogs, children, and guests. This can wear a finish down over the years. Proper cleaning and maintenance with Detergent Neutro and Idronet will preserve your floors and make re-coating unnecessary. Consult your flooring professional for proper maintenance.
Yes - Do not expect a tabletop finish. Small airborne particles can settle in the finish. However, they should not be noticeable if viewing the floor from eye level.
Waterborne Finishes
Professional waterborne finishes contain acrylic and or urethane particles suspended in water. As a thin film is applied to the floor, the water evaporates as the particles settle. An interlinked added to the finish causes the particles to fuse together.
Depending on the brand, a high-quality sealer and finish used together can complete a floor in 2 coats. The standard procedure is 3. Four or more coats must be applied very thin to avoid curing problems.
Waterborne finishes vary in quality, and some waterborne finishes (Hi-Tech 2k) outperform the best solvent-based finishes on the market, including acid cure and moisture-cured urethanes.
Toxic, no; potentially harmful to appliers, yes. Proper respirators and appropriate safety equipment are required for application.
Some waterborne finishes appear opaque or "milky". VerMesiter's sealers and finishes will have the same clarity and depth as solvent finishes and will not yellow over it.
Curing and Drying Time
During the coating process, the floor can be walked on in stocking feet four hours after completion of the application. The final coat is ready for shoe traffic in 24 hours.
Homeowners should wait three days before furniture and appliances with floor protectors can be placed on the floor after the final coat has been applied. Rugs may be placed on the floors seven days after applications of the final coat.
VerMeister finished are cured 90% in 72 hours following final application, and 100% cured in 7 days. Excessive coats and job site conditions can extend curing time, and precautions should be taken in the first few weeks following completion. These are the average curing times and may vary due to job site conditions.
Cracks Between Boards
Wood is a natural product that continues to expand and contract throughout its life. Small, uniform cracks between boards are the result. This is usually a seasonal condition, with cracks appearing in the winter and disappearing in the summer. Cracks wider than 1/8" may indicate a more serious problem. Please contact Custom Hardwood Floors, Inc in this event.
A soft-colored putty is a good temporary fix. It is available in hardware and paint stores.
It is a change in the interior humidity that causes most expansion and contraction of wood fibers. You can regulate your home humidifier to minimize changes in the humidity of your home. This will promote less wood movement. Make sure heat is not turned off in areas having hardwood floors. Temperature plays a part in relative humidity. Check crawl spaces to ensure that proper moisture barriers and vents are in place. Damp crawl space could cause the floor to swell and later show cracks. Vents should be open in the Spring, Summer, and Fall while closed in the winter.
Maintenance Coats
A maintenance coat is an application of a compatible finish over an existing floor finish. Having regular maintenance coats (every 3-5 years) will, in most cases, prevent a dusty and costly re-sanding.
This first sign of wear will usually show up as a dullness of the finish in high traffic areas such as entries, kitchens, halls, and bar areas. A maintenance coat is recommended at this time. If the finish wears further, the floor may become discolored or faded as the stain or wood becomes threatened.
The short answer is "No." There is always some risk that the new finish could chemically react, bubble, blister, lift, or peel. In these cases, a contaminate (wax, oils, or silicons) usually has been introduced to the floor. Note: In the event of a reaction, the floor would be re-sanded at the owner's expense Note: As a service to our valuable customer, if complete sand and refinishing become necessary due to adhesion failure, we will subtract 50% of the prices of the abrade and re-coat from the prices of complete sand and refinish to achieve success on the job.