Question: We are the original owners of a Manistee without a basement. We have wood (engineered) floors in the kitchen and hallways. Would anyone in your group know if Del Webb used glue to install the floors? We would like to replace a couple strips in the kitchen. Do you know if that can be done? And if you know of the manufacture they used for the wood floors? Thank you, and thanks for contributing to the Sun Day as you do.
Answer: Laminate floors like Pergo are not glued down. These floors are installed so that they float. A membrane is laid on the subfloor before the wood is installed. Individual boards can be replaced, but it is rather difficult and should probably be done by a professional floor installer. Half of the tongue and groove edge must be remove from one of the bad boards on the floor before it can be removed. The rest of the damaged boards can then be removed. A number of two inch diameter holes are then cut into the membrane. Dabs of floor adhesive are then applied in the center of these holes. The new flooring boards are then installed. You will probably have to remove the bottom half of the groove edge on the last board to be installed in order to get it in place.
Engineered flooring, where a thin layer of hard wood is glued to a plywood substrate, is usually glued down in a slab house installation. To remove a board from this type of floor, the board must be cut and then pried up. A chisel is used to release further boards from the glue.
Del Webb and Pulte used several suppliers for flooring, but a good full-service flooring dealer should be able to help you find a good match. A couple of Woodchucks have had good experiences with Garry’s Ultimate Flooring in Belvidere.
Question: I have a Dearborn model with two three panel patio doors. One of the stationary panels has lost its seal and is fogged over. I understand that the warrantee is 10 years, and I’m coming up on that fairly quickly. What is the procedure and who do I contact to have this bad panel replaced? I know that I will have to pay for the labor, but I believe the glass is covered.
Answer: Any one of the glass installation companies that is a Simonton dealer can replace that panel for you under the warrantee. Call either A Touch of Glass 847-265-1100 or D C Brown Window Service 815-477-8333 for a replacement.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home submit them toask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com.
