Mark LamannoMark Lamanno is market manager—flooring for Columbus, Ohio-based Titebond Adhesives.TroubleshootingThis Engineered Floor Was Loose-Laid ... UnintentionallyThe installer glued this floor down ... so why is it loose? Adhesive expert Mark Lamanno explains what he discovered.May 19, 2020TroubleshootingUnwelcome Popping Noises Come From This Engineered PlankA remodeler in Houston called for guidance on fixing problems with an existing hardwood floor. The floor made popping sounds-and the occasional squeak-on several spots when stepped on.Hollow spots larger than 6 inches usually require board removal and replacement, but in this case, the hollows in this installation appeared to be small enough to allow use of an injection repair kit. Many adhesive manufacturers offer these kits, which enable contractors to inject adhesive through the board to fill in the hollows. Because the subfloor was concrete, filling the voids was the only viable option; the contractor could not have screwed down the subfloor from below.RELATED: Make Sure Your Wood Floor's Subfloor is Clean, Dry, Sound & Flat Adhesive applicators vary across repair kits, but most use a syringe or special tip that inserts into the hole, enabling the contractor to neatly inject adhesive into the hollow. You may want to experiment with different kits to find the adhesive that flows the most easily. Typically, when the adhesive begins to overflow the hole, the hollow is filled.Next, the contractor needs to plug the drilled hole. An ordinary toothpick can help fill the void-the contractor simply inserts the toothpick into the hole after injecting the adhesive, waits five to ten minutes, then breaks the toothpick off flush with the floor. Colored putty or a crayon is ideal for filling any excess gap around the toothpick.August 7, 2012Page 1 of 1Top StoriesDesignCraftsmanship Across the Globe: Introducing the Winners of the 2024 WFB Design AwardsHailing everywhere from Italy to Portugal to Cincinnati to Washington, D.C., to Brazil to Chicago (by way of Poland), the recipients of this year’s WFB Design Awards prove, through sweat and creativity, that true craftsmanship has no borders.Machines/ToolsMeet the Repairman Turning Edgers Into ArtworkContractingWhat’s Your Top Advice for When Things Get Slow?DesignWhite Oak vs. Red Oak: As Pressure Increases on White Oak, Red Oak Is a Versatile AlternativeSponsor ContentBona Traffic HD RAW® Damage Mitigation
