1. Home
  2. /
  3. Floor Care & Guidelines

Floor Care & Guidelines

Pre-installation Checklist

Download Guide

  1. Wood flooring should be left to acclimatise on site for at least one week before fitting.
  2. We recommend that you use a qualified flooring fitter to fit your floor.
  3. Use a moisture meter to ensure your site conditions i.e. Sub-floors, walls and flooring are within the specified recommendations (e.g. anything below 3.0% in a concrete sub-floor is acceptable). If the sub-floor is calcium sulphate, a moisture level of less than 0.3% CM (which equates to approximately 1.5% moisture content (MC)) is permitted. Please revert to your store of purchase if in doubt about moisture conditions.
  4. You must lay a moisture barrier (we recommend Tuplex underlay) over all concrete sub-floors.
  5. Expansion gaps must be left around the perimeter of your wood floor (approximately 3/4” for a standard room). In large rooms, expansion gaps may be required within the floor.
  6. Never install kitchen units/islands on top of floating floors as this will restrict natural movement and may cause the floor to lift.
  7. It is vital that you read the specific fitting instructions for your floor type as different procedures pertain to each floor. If in doubt, please ask your store of purchase for a floor fitting guidelines leaflet.
  8. Before fitting your floor, please check with your fitter that you are completely satisfied with the floor.

Please remember, flooring cannot be replaced once fitted.

Canadia Distributors imports high quality wood and laminate flooring. We will always stand over the quality of our product, however we cannot take responsibility for site conditions or the fitting of the product. This responsibility lies with the consumer. Please ensure that you are completely satisfied that everything has been checked before fitting commences.

Floor Care Guidelines

Download Guide

  • Sweep floors with a soft brush regularly – removing grit and small stones from the floor on a regular basis will help reduce the abrading action caused by these particles. If using a vacuum, ensure that the brush is down to prevent the metal head scratching the floor.
    Do not use a steam cleaner on your floor.
  • Place a mat at all external doors, both inside and outside if possible to remove as much outside dirt from the feet prior to walking on the floor.
  • Ensure the legs of all furniture are covered with heavy-duty felt pads such as the Canadia range of felt pads to ensure that these legs do not scratch the floor.
  • If you have an office chair (one on wheels) on your timber floor, you will need to place a mat under it to protect the floor as these types of chairs are very aggressive on timber floors.
  • Use felt-lined castor cups under all other castors on furniture.
  • When a floor needs mopping, use water/cleaners sparingly – timber floors do not react well to moisture so mops should be well wrung out prior to mopping the floor. Do not have pools of water lying on your floor. We recommend using Canadia spray floor cleaner, or Floor Service Parquet Cleaner (mixed as per instructions on the can). Only use specific wooden floor cleaners as some others can discolour and damage your floor. Do not use any aggressive cleaner with a high level of detergent (e.g. Washing up liquid) to clean your floor.
  • Beware of Stiletto heels! Stilettos can put huge pressure on a timber floor (especially ones in ill repair) and can lead to compression marks on the floor.

For oiled floor finishes only:

  • Oiled floors need to be oiled on a regular basis. The frequency depends on the traffic on the floor, but we would recommend that they are oiled at least once a year with Floor Service Oil Care. This should be applied with a lint-free cloth, with the oil applied along the grain, not in sweeps across the boards as this can give the appearance of streaks or lines across your floor.
  • Prior to oiling your floor, it should be cleaned with a cleaner which specifies that it is suitable for use with oiled floors such as Floor Service Parquet Cleaner (Some cleaners can remove the oil from your floor, and thus remove the protective properties of the oil). The floor must then be allowed to dry fully before oiling.
Underfloor Heating Guidelines

Download Guide

Wood flooring is a natural product and will react completely and only to the environment, it is subjected to. If a wood floor is to live in harmony with underfloor heating, a constant environment must be maintained. Water-based underfloor heating systems are normally installed within one of two different screeds; Sand and cement or Anhydrite/Calcium Sulphate.

Note: the installation guidelines are contrasting, so you must determine which type of sub-floor you are installing over. If you don’t know, ask the sub-floor supplier/contractor for a specification.

  • The maximum finished floor temperature should never exceed 27°C. Note: a thinner wood floor will allow easier and more cost-effective heat transfer and is most efficient when fully bonded to the subfloor.
  • The underfloor heating system should be a water-based system. Electric-based systems may develop extreme temperatures when covered up.
  • If glueing down, we recommend Canadia Flexifloor 920.
    • Sand & Cement: If a Liquid Damp Proof Membrane (LDPM) is not being used, the moisture content in the concrete should be below 3% (MC).
    • Anhydrite/Calcium Sulphate: The moisture content in the screed must be below 1.5% (MC), or 0.3% CM on the Tramex anhydrite scale. Don’t use a LDPM over an anhydrite/calcium sulphate screed.

  • If floating, Tuplex underlay must be used and the concrete moisture must be below 3% (MC). Note: to get an accurate moisture reading, the heating system should be off for 48hrs.
  • Keeping a stable Relative Air Humidity (RH) is essential. A recommended RH of 45-65% should be maintained. It is recommended a wall hygrometer is used to ensure this can be monitored. The combination of a low RH and an excessive temperature in the screed creates a non-sustainable environment for a wood floor.
  • The warm water tubing needs to be installed in a short or medium distance pattern, not exceeding a distance between the tubes of 500mm.
  • To avoid damage to the sub-floor and the wooden floor, make sure that the start-up protocol of the underfloor heating is followed and respected.
  • The underfloor heating system has to be installed and operating for a minimum of 7 days. During this time, it needs to be fully tested for leaks and heat transfer before the installation of the wooden floor takes place.
  • Prior to the installation of the wooden floor, the wood must be allowed to acclimatise in the building under normal living conditions (heating and ventilation) for a minimum of 7 days.
  • Prior to the installation of the wooden floor, the underfloor heating transfer temperature must be decreased to 14-16°C. After the glue has fully cured, the heating can be turned up by 1°C per day to normal operating temperature.
  • We strongly recommend using a qualified installer with experience in installation over underfloor heating systems.
Hardwax Oiled Floors

Download Guide

Over 70% of wooden floors installed in Belgium, Holland and Germany are finished with oil. Hardwax oiling gives a uniquely natural and very durable finish to a wood floor. It allows the wood grain to feature like no other finish and helps to bring the beauty of the wood out. When you install a hardwax oiled floor, it is a European lifestyle choice – it will require a small amount of ongoing maintenance. Once maintained, the floor should never require a re-sanding in normal wear and tear conditions.

When installing a hardwax oiled floor

  • All other work must be completed before any flooring is laid.
  • When a hardwax oiled floor is installed, it must be allowed to harden for 7-10 days. This period is measured from when the installation is completed.
  • Do not cover the floor during this hardening period as it must be exposed to the air to allow curing.
  • During this 7-10 day hardening period the floor is unprotected from stains, even water will leave a mark in the first 48 hours. This is why all other work must be finished pre-installation. Walking on the floor in dry socks is permitted after 12-24 hours.
  • If work is still being carried out, which is not recommended, the floor will need to be covered.
    Tuprotec is the only suitable floor covering as it allows for the flow of air.
  • The installer should carry out any necessary cutting in another room or outside.

Maintenance of a hardwax floor

  • The floor should be cleaned approximately once a month, or when necessary, using Floor Service
    Parquet Cleaner. Use water sparingly.
  • When installed, the floor will need a light coating of Floor Service Maintenance Oil. This process should then be repeated approximately every 12 months or when needed. The floor will look dry and white areas will appear when the maintenance oil is required. Between oilings, you can oil small areas if required.
  • The process of applying oil is very straight-forward. For an average size floor, 30m² should take 1-2 hours. It should be applied with a lint-free cloth or you can hire a buffing machine, such as the Floor Service Floor Boy. Only a small amount of oil is required, approximately 1 litre of oil per 60-80m² of flooring.
  • The floor will need to be vacuumed and then cleaned before you apply the maintenance oil. Stains and dirt should be removed using Floor Service Parquet Cleaner.
Laminate Stain Guide
TYPE OF STAIN
TREATMENT
Fruit, Berries, Juice, Milk, Cream, Soft Drink, Beer, Wine, Tea, Coffee, Urine Mild cleaning agent
Rubber, Tar, Ink, Asphalt, Lipstick White spirit or acetone (wipe with a damp cloth)
Chocolate, Shoe Polish, Oil, Grease Methylated spirits (wipe with a damp cloth)
Blood Cold Water

Important note:

Laminate flooring is hygroscopic, meaning that it is susceptible to reaction to moisture levels in the atmosphere. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that flooring is installed in a stable environment. We recommend the boards are stored and laid in a relative humidity of between 50-70% and a room temperature of between 18-20°C.

 

Find your Nearest Retailer

Our floors are sold through an extensive network of retailers throughout Ireland.