NEVER GIVE UP!: FLOOR LAYING

(2014.AUG.6.)
WALL DESIGN

To protect the wall from the black marks caused by chairs, I thought it would be a good idea to glue carpet tiles up.
So I cut 3 different colored tiles to a specific shape and using tackifire as the adhesive, this was the endresult.

(2014.JUL.25.)

LATEST FLOORING PROJECTS

Amtico floor:

Floor design from carpet tiles and Amtico planks:

(2014.MAY.10.)

CARPET SEAMING

AFTER HEAT-SEAMED
IN THE GARAGE

FITTED IN THE ROOM

(2014.APR.10-17.)

FLOOR PREP AND FITTING CARPET TILES (SUTHERLAND HOUSE)

APR.15.:

APR.14.:

APR.11.:

APR.10.:

(2014.MAR.26.)

FLOOR PLAN OF A 700 SQM BUILDING

Walked to the site, took measurements with tape measure, drew layout on paper, finished the job on laptop :)

(2014.MAR.24.)

LAMINATE COURSE.

Now I know how to fit laminate :) Muuuhahahahaaa!
Here's my fitting in 45 degrees.

(2014.MAR.17.)

1st CARPET FITTING JOB FINISHED.

First of all, to clear things up: It looks like I was working a lot on this because the dates showing Feb.2. - Mar.17. but was only 6 Sunday afternoon during that time.

Anyway, job's done. I learned a lot. Made a small mistake - not too bad though.

What have I learned?
1. Sub-floor preparation really takes long time.
2. Removing the old carpet and underlay + cleaning the floor afterwards also gives unplanned hours.
3. Grippering and underlaying: easy but many extra time.
4. Placing a smaller, not too strong night-lamp on the floor could show where the carpet wasn't stretched properly.
5. On the stairs: Gaps between the grippers must be perfect to hold the carpet from moving out.
6. Spray adhesive can be very helpful with stubborn carpet pieces.
7. Must have a proper vacuum cleaner and broom for cleaning.
8. Don't forget to make photos before, during and after the job was done.
9. Try to avoid people walking/talking on the working area. It slows you down a lot.
10. Be precise when measuring the floor. Doublecheck the numbers.
11. If there is nothing to fix the carpet end, fold it back and use small nails. It won't look bad at all.

Floor plan:

Bedroom:

Top landing:

xxxxxx

Top stairs: (the old underlay became dust under the heavy traffic)

Middle landing: (you can see the join which shouldn't be there)

(2014.FEB.16.)

1st CARPET FITTING JOB CONTINUES.

Fitting carpet in the living room.
Lifting up old carpet and underlay + cutting them to pieces for the easy removal.
Screwing down floorboards to the wooden beams to reduce squeaking noise.
Underlay and carpet fitting.

(2014.FEB.2.)

MY 1st CARPET FITTING JOB.

Fitting carpet and underlay in a 330cm x 350cm room.
Lifting up old carpet + underlay and cutting them to small pieces.
Cleaning floor before fitting.
Laying down underlay.
Cutting carpet to size and bring up to second floor.
Fitting the carpet.
Final clean up.

(2013.SEP.14.)

CARPET FROM SMALL PIECES

3 hrs job / 18m seaming tape / 10 sqm room / 7 colours / 3 different thickness === A fun carpet in the bedroom :D

(2013.JUL.26.)

Job done :)
We gained lot of experiences. It was worth it. Final result here:

(2013.JUL.24.)

2 more days are gone. 20 more liter sweat :D
Sore hands from the work. I feel like I could mash a rock with bare hands :)
Job is going good. Tomorrow I want to get involved in some screeding, because so far I only worked on the staircase. Good thing I managed to cut all vinyl pieces for each step, so tomorrow I don't have to worry about those.
Here are the new photos:

(2013.JUL.22.)

College-project has started today. As I assumed, it was hot like hell. No aircon., and lovely summer heat :) I sweat like 10 liter or so! Good think we've got a water dispenser on site.
I'm going to take photos every day to show the progress.

Today we ripped off the carpet tiles from 4 corridors and a staircase. Secured ply sheet and screeded 2 corridors and landings. My job was cutting carpet by the doors, scraping up the crap from the stairs and cutting and fitting ply on them. Here are the photos:

(2013.JUL.19.)

Yess, I have done my practical exams in resilient tiles and sheet floor covering, capping and coving, hot welding and carpet fitting on stairs.

(2013.JUL.3.)

We are doing a "practice design-flooring" this time. 5 groups - 3 person in each. Seaming different carpet pieces together and in the middle there is a motif from vinyl. The "pizza-slices" are welded. After that was done, we destroyed everything to make an even better design.
Today we laid down plywood, cut the vinyl and glued it down. The next step is to fit the new dartboard-like motif in the middle.
We are actually preparing for the big job: The College :)

(without welding)

(2013.JUN.21.)

Measuring and planning is an important part of preparation in floor laying. Our team is going to do a big job in a couple weeks. We will lay down a new floor (carpet and vinyl) for a college. 4 corridors, 15 classrooms and a staircase. We will also make a motif (college logo) on the floor by the entrance.

I found a very handy computer program that helped me draw out the layout of the building.
"SmartDraw", it's like a lite version of AutoCAD.
Here are pictures about the college and the motif.

(2013.JUN.11.)

This is the 5th week I started on the floor layer course.

I learned a lot already.

For a nice job I have to practice a lot, repeating the same tasks until it goes smooth and quick.

Here are some photos (made with phone) about works I have done with the team so far.
Not perfect, but after 4 weeks starting from zero, it's quite good :)