Kitchen Floor (January - February, 2006)

Repairing and replacing the kitchen floor of the Decatur house.

• Before
• After

Details...

• Abet Laminati ParqFiber laminate floor sample (color #1030)
• Dry rot subfloor - probably dryer vent leaking moisture into crawlspace
• More dry rot
• Mold or mildew behind and beneath cabinet to the right of the stove
• Various layers of subfloor and underlayment all rotted through in places
• Lower cabinets and sink removed; counter hung on the wall
• Moldy wallboard from behind cabinets removed from beneath the counter
• New wallboard installed
• The excavation continues, one rotted layer at a time, ...
• Original linoleum tile to the left, another layer to the right
• Removing original plywood underlayment
• Down to original subfloor, 1x6 boards laid diagonally
• Down to the 2x10 joists
• The two joists to be replaced; top one rotted, next one also cracked
• First joist removed; crawlspace below cleaned up with new 6-mil. vapor barrier
• New joist installed, but no blocking yet
• Close-up showing how new notched joist fastens to the cleated rim joist on the foundation
• Close-up of the other end of the joist resting on the cleated beam
• Second joist and blocking installed; wires and pipes secured
• Two layers of 19/32-inch thick plywood, and roofing felt
• One more sheet of 19/31-inch plywood; gaps sealed with Great Stuff and caulk
• Reinstalling the cabinets; new stove
• Tilting up the sink to install the cabinet below
• Cabinets all installed; top layer of vinyl on half-inch plywood all removed
• The 9 boxes of Abet ParqColor flooring have arrived and are acclimating
• Laying the critical starter rows; note foam underlayment, strap clamps, and glue squeeze-out
• About 1/3 done
• Done!
• Another finished view
• Close-up of custom-made maple step from kitchen to family room
• Close-up of custom-made oak threshold from kitchen to living room