Bamboo and Exotic Wood Floors - Questions re preparation for installing bamboo flooring

I have been removing oak parquet tiles (horrible job!) from a tig wood subfloor. There is a lot of adhesive residue and the floor itself is somewhat uneven. Is it possible to just apply a leveler over the adhesive and tig? If necessary to clean all the adhesive, are there any suggestions? I have tried a paint stripper which works well but will be very expensive for the amount of floor I am dealing with. I can also use xylene which does a fair job and costs a bit less. It seems I might still have to level it so would like to know the best product for doing this.

I then plan to install tig solid bamboo over a foam base which was recommended by Home Depot. Is there anything else I need to know other than to acclimate the bamboo in situ and to follow instructions for nailing to itself after anchoring the outside pieces?

Thanks for any help you are able to provide.

Jacqui, Goddess of Chaos, GSOLFOT

I have answered your questions below in red.

I have been removing oak parquet tiles (horrible job!) from a tig wood subfloor. There is a lot of adhesive residue and the floor itself is somewhat uneven. Is it possible to just apply a leveler over the adhesive and tig? If necessary to clean all the adhesive, are there any suggestions? I have tried a paint stripper which works well but will be very expensive for the amount of floor I am dealing with. I can also use xylene which does a fair job and costs a bit less. It seems I might still have to level it so would like to know the best product for doing this.

Unfortunately it is best to remove all the adhesive. Professionals use a machine or scrappers as there isnt much that will remove old adhesive. There are floor levelers out there, but many would introduce moisture to your sub floor, and that is the last thing you want with bamboo flooring.

I then plan to install tig solid bamboo over a foam base which was recommended by Home Depot. Is there anything else I need to know other than to acclimate the bamboo in situ and to follow instructions for nailing to itself after anchoring the outside pieces?

How are you fastening the material to the subfloor? Is this bamboo flooring and foam both from HD? Is the material solid or engineered bamboo? Regular tongue and groove or click lock? What part of the country do you live as this has a lot to do with acclimation.

Thanks for any help you are able to provide.

More questions then answers, but these are needed to make sure your question is answered properly./COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Michael Peterson
Jacqui, Goddess of Chaos, GSOLFOT

Thanks for answering - when I used a 60 grit sanding belt it clogged very quickly because of the heat. I may have other kinds of grinders that could work.

How are you fastening the material to the subfloor? Is this bamboo flooring and foam both from HD? Is the material solid or engineered bamboo? Regular tongue and groove or click lock? What part of the country do you live as this has a lot to do with acclimation.

***I am using the foam from HD that they recommended and have criss-cross stacked the bamboo to acclimate it. I live in a very moist climate though so will be doing everything I can to keep this dry. It is regular TIG. I plan to nail the outer edge pieces to the sub-floor and then nail just the grooves as was recommended to me - I believe that allows for some movement. Unfortunately we also have many earthquakes although usually they are less than 3. Once in a while we get a big shake though. I am really hoping I haven't made a big mistake with this stuff because it is so beautiful. The oak parquet seemed to be okay except that it wasn't installed right.

Sounds like you might be in Hawaii, and the Hilo side to boot. If you are, take extra precaution to ensure the subfloor is dry to help prevent mold in the bamboo. Is it natural or carbonized color? I have seen a lot of bamboo in that area and the installation dictates the longevity of the flooring there.

Did you say nail in the groove? That would be a disaster. The nail (cleat) is done through the tongue. Go to installingwoodfloors to see a diagram of how the nail goes into the bamboo.

Right - Hilo side of Big Island. It is natural. And I didn't know how to say it but yes, plan to nail through the tongue. I am also thinking of using something called CedarTreat on the edges since it drives out water, and is an insecticide and mild mildicide. Also enviromentaly safe.


[QUOTE=mpeterson72;1297177]Sounds like you might be in Hawaii, and the Hilo side to boot. If you are, take extra precaution to ensure the subfloor is dry to help prevent mold in the bamboo. Is it natural or carbonized color? I have seen a lot of bamboo in that area and the installation dictates the longevity of the flooring there.

Did you say nail in the groove? That would be a disaster. The nail (cleat) is done through the tongue.

Good luck and let me know if you need any more assistance on your install.