To 'seal' or not to 'seal'??

b8sfamily · 03-30-2009, 02:52 PM

I am replacing the carpet in my 1986 31' Sovereign and need some advice. We have decided to go with a locking/ floating floor ( Armstrong, Pergo or the like) since we have 3 kids and a dog and want something we can 'sweep' clean. My question is, does anyone recommend sealing the original floor. I was thinking of sealing the floor with a Minwax Polyuerthane. Any advice?? Is there a downside?

**CanoeStream** · 03-30-2009, 04:02 PM

The prefinish on these floors is supremely tough. Some of these finishes contain fine silicon dioxide particles to prevent wear-through. I would believe that the face of the flooring is waterproof and darn near bulletproof. Bonding a manually applied finish onto this would be weak IMO.

I don't think it would make any difference even with the most optimistic assumption that thinned polyurethane might penetrate the seams to some degree. What spells the difference with wood, and laminate products in particular, is whether a given area is wetted before it has chance to dry from the last exposure. There is no such thing as dry rot! It's gotta be wet. I'd think that the random nature of kid & pet accidents wouldn't lead to a big problem for you. Just keep an eye on regular exposure to moisture; eg, around the pets' water dish. I think you'll be more than okay without the Minnwax Polyurethane ... and honestly ... I think you'll be ahead of the game for avoiding it.

**CanoeStream** · 03-30-2009, 04:16 PM

Or do you mean sealing the plywood floor under the prefinished flooring? Perimeter leaks, shell leaks, sewer vents, window gaskets, rear bumper, etc. will probably be the bigger issue. Control those by all means. Search the forums on Sealtech. I think it would be too much sugar for a dime to RotDoctor the entire plywood floor.

Royce · 03-30-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b8sfamily

I am replacing the carpet in my 1986 31' Sovereign and need some advice. We have decided to go with a locking/ floating floor ( Armstrong, Pergo or the like) since we have 3 kids and a dog and want something we can 'sweep' clean. My question is, does anyone recommend sealing the original floor. I was thinking of sealing the floor with a Minwax Polyuerthane. Any advice?? Is there a downside?

The only down side to sealing the original floor that I can see is it easy to keep moisture in but difficult to keep it out. Maybe better to be able to let it dry. If you wanted to seal out odors that is a different matter and shellac will work better to seal odors. Other than to seal out an odor I can't think of a good reason to seal the original floor. Just cover it with the Pergo following the manufacturers recommendation on install.

ckeysor · 03-30-2009, 07:46 PM

I don't know enough to give you advice on this issue...but I recently noted moisture under my carpet tiles in my 86. Someone told me that it was the type of Glue I used that made the tiles and floor sweat. It was recommended that I seal the OSB with a primer to keep it from sweating.

I think I will actually just not apply glue to the tiles and let them float.

n2916s · 03-30-2009, 08:12 PM

On my floating floor (Quikstep) there is a special underlayment that is essentially foam backed polyethylene laid on the plywood before installing the floor itself. This serves as a vapor/water barrier and cushions the floor so trying to polyurethane the subfloor would be moot.

3 years so far and no problems.

mike

b8sfamily · 03-31-2009, 06:13 AM

Mike, Did you put your flooring under the gaucho?