Subfloor Preparation & Assessment Flashcards
6 cards from real CFI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Subfloor Preparation & Assessment flashcards as text
What is the maximum recommended moisture content for a wood subfloor before installing hardwood flooring?
Answer: 12%
Most hardwood flooring manufacturers specify that the wood subfloor moisture content should not exceed 12% prior to installation.
What type of fastener is most appropriate for securing a squeaky subfloor panel before installing hardwood?
Answer: Ring-shank screw
Ring-shank screws provide superior holding power and are less likely to back out over time, effectively eliminating subfloor squeaks.
When a wood subfloor has a low spot greater than 3/16 inch, what is the standard correction method?
Answer: Apply a floor-leveling compound to fill the area
Floor-leveling compound is feathered into the low spot to bring it flush with the surrounding surface within tolerance.
What spacing should be maintained between plywood subfloor panels during installation to allow for expansion?
Answer: 1/8 inch
A 1/8-inch gap between plywood panels accommodates seasonal wood expansion and prevents subfloor buckling.
Which subfloor material is NOT acceptable as a direct substrate for most glue-down resilient flooring?
Answer: Particleboard
Particleboard absorbs moisture and swells when wet, causing adhesive failure and floor delamination; it is not an acceptable substrate for glue-down resilient flooring.
What is the purpose of performing a 'bond test' (tape test) before installing adhesive-backed flooring?
Answer: To confirm the adhesive will adhere to the substrate
A tape or bond test applies a small section of adhesive to the substrate to verify that the substrate surface will accept and hold the adhesive.