BASIC PRINCIPLES IN SETTING PARQUET

Preparation of the surface on which will be the parquet. The quality of each type flooring you choose depends largely on the quality of the plaster.

A) The plaster must be flat, horizontal, stable and dry. Difference in the level above 2mm is not permitted. The plaster should be solid with thickness of not less than 4cm.

B) The hardness of the plaster can be checked using a sharp object to rub the surface. The basis is considered strong and solid enough if during the friction does not form traces of dust.

C) The plaster must not have any cracks, must not break down into pieces, must not have hollow places when knocking and must not crumble.

If the plaster does not suit these requirements:

A) For irregularities on the basis to 2mm you can use self-spilling flooring or grind the surface with abrasive tools. If there are larger irregularities in the plaster make a new one which dries at least two weeks for cm. If it is thicker than 4cm one cm of the plaster dries for 4 weeks.

B) The surface of the plaster should be well cleaned. The remains of paint, pitch and cement should be removed using a steel spatula.

C) In areas with floor heating after drying of the plaster the water temperature in the heating elements must be 30-35 C. The parquet was determined that heat stress should not exceed the limit of 30-35 C.

Methods for attaching the parquet:

A) Priming method - this method is safe and economical. The primer is done using a roll so that the plaster absorbs it completely. The second layer is placed after the first one dries (5-6 hours). After the drying of the second layer, it is covered with an adhesive which does not contain water. The primer hardens the plaster, the dust sticks well, the moisture isolation is achieved. After the drying of the second layer of primer the parquet is laid by sticking with a polyurethane adhesive.

B) Method to nail - it is necessary to be applied when the length of the parquet is over 160cm. In the plaster are usually put trapezium-shaped elements of solid wood to which the parquet is then attached with screws.

C) Another method of installation of parquet is on plates of different material (OSB, MDF, chipboard or others) on which the parquet is stuck with special polyurethane adhesives as may be further attached to these plates with screws.

D) If you want to put the parquet in a room with high humidity like kitchens or premises adjacent to pools or baths you should take extra precautions against moisture:

- lay primer against moisture over the plaster;

- stick the plates of waterproof hardboard with binary polyurethane adhesive;

- the parquet is stuck over these plates with the same adhesive;

- when you varnish lay five layers paint, not the usual three;

- the space between the parquet and the wall is filled with special mounting foam;

E) The solid parquet can be put over the already existing flooring: terracotta, marble or mosaic as for this purpose first lay a primer of two components then lay the parquet with a special binary adhesive for smooth surfaces.

F) If the parquet will be laid over parquet, the old one should be scraped off, the varnished layer must be removed.