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About Chris
Expertise
20+ years flooring installation ...carpet,wood,tile and vinyl. Residential and commercial. I do not sell the products , just install what ever the shop / customer has purchased. I actually love seeing the finished project completed and it gives me great satisfaction to help others acheive that goal. If I don't know the answer I will say so, and then I will recommend another expert for you. I may even research the subject and answer to the best of my ability ...including links to my sources.
I wish you all success
Chris
Experience
20 years as an independant contractor
Education/Credentials
H.S. diploma
A.S. agriculture Mt San Antonio JR. College
Past/Present Clients
Gene Bonas and Kevin Churnock Inc.
Sheward&Son&Sons
Century 21
Forte Const.
Famous Footwear
BOSE Corporation
Homebodies General Contractor
Perry Floors, Tri Cord Flooring
T.J.'S Supplies
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You are here: Experts > Style > Interior Decorating > Flooring and Carpeting > strange metal strip between subfloor and
Expert: Chris - 10/31/2009
Question
QUESTION: Hi, we've removed carpet and old particle board our entire downstairs and replaced it with plywood and hardwood flooring.
We just started tearing out the carpet/particle board upstairs and found a 3/4" metal strip at one end of the hallway. It's between the particle board and the plywood below it.
We're pretty experienced DIYers but we have NO idea what it is, or if it's safe to remove it OR if not, what to do with it. I hope you can help. I don't think it's a hurricane strap as we live near Buffalo, NY.
Thanks,
Carol
ANSWER: Carol,
This site allows you to attach a photo just before you send the post it will show up down in the bottom of the page ...if I remember correctly. I have no clue at this time what it might be ...I need to know the length / you said 3/4" ...and the strength ...is it flexible ?? Can you pry it off? Is it about 24-32" across the door way??
I wonder if it is a carpet metal that "they" left behind at some point?? Just too lazy to remove it ...or there was carpet there at some point.
The type of metal I am referring to is made of tin ...light gauge..and can often times have a hammered pattern ...or be smooth. The hammered texture would be a clamp down metal...the smooth would be a Z bar metal. Both are used to secure carpet...they are nailed in place with small nails.
Other than that if it is not part of the structure and not connected, as you say , a Hurricane strap...remove it and proceed.
Chris
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Removal of the subfloor from the other side of this strip shows us we will not be removing this piece of metal. As it turns out it is rectangular, approximately 3/4" wide and maybe 4" deep! Length is unknown, but it extends under the wall. It would seem to be structural. We have a fairly large family room below this piece of metal that has very little in the way of interior support. Is it possible it more or less holds that part of the house together by tying the stairway wall to the outside wall?
New secondary problem. Since this metal thing is definitely not moving any suggestions for leveling out that ridge? We want to lay hardwood flooring but if we bring the floor to the right of the metal up to match the left it's going to be too high for the top of the stairs! FYI, the previous particle board was shimmed so the floors on both sides of the bar were equal. No wonder the floor was really squeaky! Thanks again.
Answer
Hi Carol,
OK ...thanks for the picture...wow I have never seen something such as that. I wish I could identify it. So, you can't raise the right side ...hmmm, can you remove the left side and grind the metal flush?
In other words remove the subfloor on the left, closest to the stairs..replace that layer with something the is equal to the right side, and grind the metal down ...it appears to be about 1/2" offset..is that correct?
Other than that there are methods to float and ramp the floors with floor prep products a steel trowel and water. A level of 4' will act as a screed/straightedge.Or you can fabricate your own straightedge, or buy one.
If you want links to the products , let me know.
Chris
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