Finish on prefinished floor?

toddles18 · **Joined:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 3:34 pm **Posts:** 3

I'm currently installing some pre-finished 3/4 inch Hickory hardwood. My question is, after I finish installing the floor is there another finish I should be putting on the hardwood? My concern is that there are still small cracks in between the boards that liquid could slip through if a drink were spilled. Is that something I should be concerned with?

floormeintucson · **Posted:** Fri Oct 28, 2011 9:09 am

Thats a great question toddles. There is a lot of seasoned experts out there that say you should not have any gaps what so ever in a prefinished floor if installed correctly. However, on a site finished floor it is common for finishers to use a trowelable filler over the wood to fill in gaps and what not. But in many many installation guidelines from these prefinished manufactures they will tell you right up front you may need filler in a few spots. Especially if it is LL. I tell my LL customers right up front about that.

I wouldn't be overly concerened about them unless it is in a kitchen and you slop water all over. You should be cleaning with a micro-fiber mop and spritzing the floor with a cleaner made for hardwoods only.

You can buy Colorrite filler online at Amazon.com But the filler may squeeze out during the humid months. Id give it awhile to condition over a few seasons before I would caulk it.

toddles18 · **Joined:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 3:34 pm **Posts:** 3

It is LL flooring, which I'm beginning to be very worried about after reading all of the negative comments....how do they keep all the bad comments off the reviews on their site?

The install is in a kitchen, dining room and greatroom.

I'm using a MIIIFS and am getting the boards nice and tight, but I just know that if some water was spilled and not cleaned up immediately it would seep through between the boards. Seems like there should be something to go over it? Maybe even a wax?

floormeintucson · **Posted:** Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:15 am

If you apply another coat of anything you will void the 100 year finish warranty. :roll:

Plus you need to screen the floor first.

toddles18 · **Joined:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 3:34 pm **Posts:** 3

So are you saying there is nothing I can do, or nothing I can do without voiding the warranty? I'm just looking for what is going to be best for my floors.

Thanks

Ken Fisher · **Posted:** Fri Oct 28, 2011 4:06 pm

toddles:

I think you're worrying too much. Even site finished floors can open up (gap) with seasonal moisture changes.

For real damage to occur, prolonged moisture is the real killer.

Finish on prefinished floor?

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