Hello, I am a gen contractor. I have a maple floor problem. I did a kitchen extension oh… 5 years ago ? +/- we used regular 2 1/4 ” maple strip floor. solid 3/4 ” About one year after finishing the finish had numerous spots that had peeled away from the wood. almost as if a bubble had once been there or a blister and it just chipped off. Well after that happened , my finisher did some homework and was told to leave more of a tooth upon prepping the floor for the finish , which he did, then to apply oil based poly 3 coats. Well just the other day the client called again sharing her concern about the exact same problem re- occuring. Well this paragraph is part of me doing some homework. Has anyone experienced this phenomenon before? Any all suggestions welcome. Thanks Shotsy
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Is it possible to post a picture of the problem?
Jon
Shotsy,
Need way more information.
Sanding and tacking procedures? Type and brand of sealer and top coats, dry times, temps, conditions? Application methods? Application tools? Abrasion procedures between coats? Possible contaminants? Moisture readings after sanding and before finishing?
How is the floor being maintained? What, if anything, is the owner using to clean the floor?
If you used a professional finisher he should know the answers to these questions.
Ditch
I'd lean the same way as Ditch initially when it comes to possible contamination. Sander dripping lubricant? Someone dripping oily or greasy substance as they crossed the room? If someone else contaminated the floor, your finisher may not own this problem. Then again you'd have an impossible job in front of you to prove it if you suspected as much.
Anyway....some possible causes.....
Chipping: Dried finish separates from the surface in the form of chips or flakes.
Cause: Applying less elastic finish on top of a more elastic one. Improper adhesion. Improper screening. Spot contamination. Improper tacking methods (tacking with a pre-conditioned cheesecloth and applying too much pressure.)
Cratering: Looks like moon craters.
Cause: Contamination. Improper dry time or heavy droplets of finish which were not dry when subsequent coats were applied.
Both may require a screen and re-coat or sand and re-finish.
Ditch
Pitch pocket possibility. What grade of maple was it/ some varieties will have pitch pockets and the finish will not stick to the surface. Otherwise any canned lighting directly under the floor? Hot spots? Plumbing leaks from the sink?