Your ply should be fixed 100mm around the perimeter not more than 12mm from the edge and then 150mm centres across the whole sheet With ring nails at least or screws. 18mm divergent staples with them spacings is asking for trouble
Ok thanks all but so much conflicting info To recap divergent staples not good so ask him to screw the ply as well?
I'd only use staples on a flat sub ie chipboard & then plenty of them very close never on floorboards though !
Spacey just out of interest why not use divergent 18mm staples on floorboards? Ok thanks are there certain screws that he should use? It's crazy how I've got to ask all this I'm paying enough, but job needs to be high spec Is it ok to ask him if he's karndean approved installer as I was told he would be?
As Spacey said I would use divergent staples on chipboard but not on wooden floor as the can tend to work their way out if any movement in my experience. I always ring shank wooden floors and screw chipboard (used to use divergent staples). Did you see any previous photo's of the shops work? Is the fitter one they use regular? I feel you need to give the guy a chance as any issues can be sorted later but I would get him to put screws in if your not happy.
As for undercutting arcs not every fitter does it but doesn't mean its right or wrong. Personally I do it first with my fein multimaster but wires behind arcs are always a worry especially in older properties.
I just wanted to know if they were divergent as that's what your suppose to use! Nothing wrong with stapling a floor down, seen loads done fine like that. I'm not a big fan of staples because of the squeakers, its something I ask people about on here and I think most agree ring shank or screw down is the better option.
A point about the certification. He may not be Karndean trained, might be amtico, floorskills, fita, polyflor or trained by,his boss ( who may be fantastic and can do the job as well, if not better, than most installers). Having attended a 2-3 day course doesn't necessarily make a good installer. They've got to use the knowledge that's been shared with them to provide the customer with a job that will stand the test of time.
Ask how many builders and associated trades have been certified after doing the course. There are some and they can happily wave the certificate at you but not really know all that should be done.
Is it me, or is all this a bit odd....from the start you have been on here asking this and that regarding which and what type of floor and now whether the sub prep is any good? I hope the person responsible isn't a member of the forum because if they were, I'd wonder how they'd feel about all this, I can accept you want the right product, fitting, prep etc....but I feel your gathering information to punish the retailer at every step of the way...maybe to try and edge £££ off during the job?? I may be completely wrong but a few peeps on here (the jedi's of the flooring world) offered to sort it for you at the beginning but you stayed with this retailer?
Hi Thanks all for your advice and guidance job is going well now , ply has been screwed down now as well, still some creaks but nothing that another few screws can't sort out
So what did the installer say when you mentioned the staples ? Did they ask where you've been getting your info ? & what about the other things mentioned ?
Not really just said I wanted it screwed which he did, and has done the training etc but as others have said its experience that what counts and more importantly attention to detail
Personally i would have asked to rectify what you felt wasn't done correctly then let him carry on with the job. You have paid a deposit so if the job isn't done to the stamdards expected then refuse the rest of the money and speak to the shop owner. He may be a very good fitter but just doesn't have certificates work from courses. Send some pics In of the job. As for under cutting, I used to heat up and cut in! I made it look spot on but it's time consuming and not the CORRECt way. There will be good fitters on here who can cut in architraves, and I don't mean heating the tile up but most don't now purely cos of he time wasted.
Just a quick question, is it normal after install for some of the planks especially around the corners not to stick down properly, as some need refixing down as they are starting to work loose Also what is the neatest way to finish between he karndean and a ceramic floor, using a door bar or something else?
