I'm installing around 1800 sq/ft of Brazilian Cherry and I have a few questions I was hoping you could help with.

1. The wood is so hard it is nearly impossible for me to push the pins from the moisture meter into the flooring to get a good reading. Am I doing something wrong?

2. The local shop here has indicated it would be best to glue and staple in place with PL400 and 2" staples. When I inquired about the vapor barrier they indicated I could put the paper down and just cut away everywhere that I put the PL400 on the boards. The floor is being installed over a full basement in Ohio can I get away without the vapor barrier or should I put in the extra time cutting ever foot or so? I really don't want any warping or cupped boards.

Best Regards,
Brett

1.) I get that sometimes too. If I keep trying, I will eventually get a reading.


2.) I was reading an article, about using Bostiks MVP4 and there BST in caulking tubes, for just this scenerio.

Thanks for the reply floorguy. Everything I read abou the MVP3 and BST is for installing over cement. I will be installing on OSB on the first floor of a home over a full basement which I will be finishing within a year or two. The only reason I'm even worried is because the wood is 5" wide BC. Anything less and I'd just nail down and go. The beads of adhesive PL400 8" from the ends of the boards seemed like a good idea but the choices are then to eliminate the vapor barrier or cut it everywhere I use the PL400 on the boards.

Go here and read about MVP4

http://www.bostik-us.com/TDS/TDSFiles/MVP4.PDF




MVP4® Moisture Vapor Protection is a one-part, trowel
applied, elastomeric, moisture cure urethane membrane
designed to 1reduce moisture vapor transmission from
the subfloor; 2create a noise reduction barrier over the
substrate; 3establish an anti-fracture membrane that can
bridge cracks that can occur in the substrate prior to or after
installation (up to 1/8"); prior to the installation of engineered
and solid hardwood flooring with Bostik?s Best®, BST®, EFA®,
Ultra-Set® Hardwood or Fast Tack® adhesives. MVP4 may be
used over all substrates common to hardwood flooring
installations including: concrete, plywood, particle or chip
board (underlayment grade), well bonded vinyl, ceramic tile,
cement backer board, cement patch/underlayments, radiant
heat flooring, and terrazzo. 4MVP4 contains Bostik
BLOCKADE? antimicrobial protection which inhibits the
growth of bacteria, mold or mildew on the surface of the
dried membrane; the dried membrane resists stains caused
by mold.

that moisture barrior says do not use over concrete slabs treated with curing compounds or sealers. How do you know if your slab has that?

Place a few drops of water on the slab to make a quarter size puddle. Come back in 5 -10 minutes and see if it absorbs or is still a puddle.

Thanks for the reply floorguy. Not what I was hoping to hear though. Adding another $1,000 to the cost of the install is causing some more sticker shock. I'm thinking I could have gotten wood 1" thinner and avoided some issues. How much am I pushing my luck putting down the 5" over a standard Vapor Barrier felt and cutting areas for the PL400 as the local wood flooring shop suggested? I don't want to waste all the current time and money but at the same time I don't want to spend more if it isn't necessary.

If it's still a puddle, then I assume I don't need a moisture barrior?