Hardwood Floors June/July 2018

By Ethan Erickson

along seams, on a newly installed or lace-in solid wood flooring, after applying waterborne finishes, you have likely coated the stain too early. By extension, end grain installations will both absorb much more oil-based stain/sealer and require longer to release the associated solvents before coating with waterborne sealers or finishes. DON’T FORGET ABOUT WOOD MOISTURE Wood moisture is like the “humidity of the wood.” Similar to how humidity depresses mineral spirits’ evaporation/stain dry, so too does increasing moisture levels in wood. We all know the rules for a new install, regarding acceptable moisture levels in the wood, subfloor, etc., but what about a resand in humid Wisconsin in the summertime?The wood, while well-acclimated, is going to have a higher moisture level, so you’ll have to consider the effect on the timing of your water-based top coat. This includes water popping the stain. Always use a moisture meter, before water popping and after – only stain once the

moisture level has returned to the initial value. Be sure to check any low areas, butts/seams, and enough areas for a representative background level; write these readings and locations down on a notepad, to accurately compare to the final values. If you do not wait until the moisture levels have returned to pre-water-pop levels, you can dramatically inhibit the dry of the stain/the time before the stain is ready to coat. Consider, too, that water popping, especially when finishing at lower grit levels and with more-porous wood species, allows significantly more stain to be applied. In addition to the extra time needed to allow the water to dry, this can really increase the time needed for the stain to be ready to be coated with waterborne sealers or finishes. Woods vary widely. Some may have oils that impede the drying of oil-based stains, sealers, or finishes. Some take longer to dry after water popping. Keep track of wait times, etc., on different species, so you can better plan and prepare for the next one.

Pictured: Lexington - Temple Pattern: Marie Antoinette

See more pattern options at www.impressionshardwoodcollection.com/lexington-patterns The Lexington Series has arrived and it made all the other floors jealous.