Original Floor Pickle

Hello,

We have a hall that runs from the front entrance to back. The hall was split by a wall by previous owners. The front had carpet that we took up easily and had the floor refinished. It looks good albeit quite gappy in places. We just got around to ripping down the dividing wall. Unfortunately, the floor in the back section had linoleum glued down to it. The linoleum came up and left behind patches of very thick paper, that of course have 10% asbestos in them so we can’t just sand. Wet scraping is getting it up, but we are scratching and gouging the floor quite a bit in the process. Conservatively I think it will take us 30+ hours to get most of it up with no guarantees of a floor in reasonable shape at the end.

So, we’re feeling like now might be the time to just cut to the chase and replace the hall floor. The contractor said that he didn’t think they had another refinishing in them when we did the front. They’re about 100 years. What would you do in this position? I feel like it probably makes sense to replace but I have guilt over ripping out one of the las t remaining original elements. The previous owners were not very nice to this house. [Floor2](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s1/:brownstoner:8l9d:floor2.jpeg.jpg) [Floor1](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:HIqL:floor1.jpg.jpg)

wkoqrgvptyvxhlsl

in Renovation 7 years and 3 months ago

12

Please log in, in order to post replies!

12 replies

Newest Oldest

Amym718 | 7 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5120 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4945 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "154940"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "Amym718"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BB4sbIHZkGBj41p7PNFIs2g4N3KWZ3."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "Amym718"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(28) "mintzersweeney@earthlink.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/amym718/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2011-04-14 19:57:43"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "Amym718"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(154940)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Wow–they do look terrific. You’re inspiring me to think our old pine sub-floor floors could be revitalized.

murph | 7 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5119 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5118 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14113"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "murph"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtXSTW4BIdTGv7Hod2bWPFl8fIF.MM."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "murph"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "mayocork9@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(52) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/sunsetpark/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:47:20"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "murph"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14113)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Not done yet. Work on the trim.

daveinbedstuy | 7 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5121 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

They look great!!!!!!

wkoqrgvptyvxhlsl | 7 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5120 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5122 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209866"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "wkoqrgvptyvxhlsl"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BInX4BG5lSuBymWzTs2t2hTZwVGSL91"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "wkoqrgvptyvxhlsl"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "peyton9101@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-07-08 20:16:24"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(16) "wkoqrgvptyvxhlsl"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209866)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I wanted to post these for anyone googling in the midst of asbestos floor scraping hell. It took forever but keep going it’s worth it! [IMG_0234](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s2/:brownstoner:CQ6v:img_0234.jpg.jpg) [IMG_0236](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s2/:brownstoner:AzHU:img_0236.jpg.jpg)

wkoqrgvptyvxhlsl | 7 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5119 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5123 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209866"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "wkoqrgvptyvxhlsl"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BInX4BG5lSuBymWzTs2t2hTZwVGSL91"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "wkoqrgvptyvxhlsl"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "peyton9101@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-07-08 20:16:24"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(16) "wkoqrgvptyvxhlsl"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209866)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

An update. Thanks for all the opinions. We had two floor people out to look and neither of them recommended replacing it. They both said that ripping it up, since it’s nailed, could wreak havoc on the subfloor and open a new and expensive can of worms before new floor could go down. So we went back to scraping. We abandoned the steamer and switched to using a spray bottle and a dremel multi-max. This has gotten up probably 90% of the junk without really gouging the floor like before, though time intensive. We will do a pass of manual wet scraping to try to get up the remaining bits and then judicious wet sanding. Then we’ll refinish. I’m grateful they only did this to 25 sq ft of floor and not the whole hall! [IMG_0230](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:VWyG:img_0230.jpg.jpg)

murph | 7 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5122 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5115 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14113"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "murph"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtXSTW4BIdTGv7Hod2bWPFl8fIF.MM."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "murph"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "mayocork9@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(52) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/sunsetpark/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:47:20"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "murph"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14113)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If you don’t turn the lights on and cover the windows it’ll be fine.

brokelin | 7 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5123 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5120 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "90954"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "brokelin"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BukARi5fCxcdKRwwLKRkiawWixLEUK/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "brokelin"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "annindc@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/brokelin/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:32:08"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "brokelin"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(90954)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Three ideas: (1) Are you rug people? If you think you can get a reasonable but not perfect floor out of this, refinish and cover most with a rug (or two) or mat(s). The floor edges will look gorgeous around it, not be real visible if there are some gouges, and the character of the wood will fit in with the rest of the floors on this floor of the house. I give this suggestion because if there are old floors in the rooms around it, it may look strange with new flooring in the hall. It may look very much better once sanded and stained, even with some gouges, and they may look far more minimal once you sand the floor, stain if you intend to use stain, and with a poly or oil or a wax finish on it. Also, you can use moist heat (like an iron – google it) to swell the wood back up in some flooring gouges, so the gouges may disappear altogether if you do this. Lots of wood planking that was designed to be subflooring looks great when finished. The planks in your photo look like sub flooring, and can usually be sanded much deeper than the thinner parquet tiles you see in many brownstones. You can’t really tell at this point how a floor will look when it is done.

(2) Often some contractors say there isn’t another sanding in a floor, when there really is but they have to be super careful with the heavy machines. If there really isn’t enough wood, you can use a hand sander and sand gently with more control,, since it seems to be a relatively small area.

(3) If you truly are concerned about doing all this removal work and not having a usable floor when done, do a square patch between a foot and two feet wide and then test out some finishing techniques on that area before you finish up with the asbestos paper. I’m guessing you may be pleasantly surprised with the result!

jahmel1018 | 7 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5119 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "192303"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "jahmel1018"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BzTJcuGcpwRqCOppMud/OhdaR5jK7R/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "jahmel1018"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(28) "jahmelwilliams1018@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 09:54:31"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(31) "Jahmel Williams Jahmel Williams"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(192303)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

The floors you describe, viz. underflooring, were carpeted when the house was originally sold in the late 19th century. Decades later this was replaced by linoleum or a similar covering.
When we bought our brownstone in the late 1970’s the hall/stairways were carpeted. After we stripped the wood and painted/wallpapered the halls, we noticed that there was linoleum under the carpet. We replaced the carpeting in the late 1980s and after 30 years it still looks good despite 2 kids and several dogs through the years. Carpet was a simple and much cheaper alternative than installing hardwood flooring where none had originally been when the house was built. It doesn’t last forever, but either will we.

milogypsy14 | 7 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5122 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5124 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "192032"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "milogypsy14"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BhTaO0m.F1LKXUbulvXIbBCyKAxUDM1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "milogypsy14"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "jochiarelliny@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-22 17:23:33"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(61) "Your first name Your last name Your first name Your last name"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(192032)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

We confronted a similar situation and tried to salvage the floors on our garden level. If I had it to do over again I would have simply installed new flooring during my initial renovation. Pickled floors look good in theory but if you have a dog and a toddler like I did you will be amazed by how beat up the floors will get in a matter of months.. Good luck with your renovation.

camp6ell | 7 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5123 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5125 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "115300"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "camp6ell"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bnt0ye7zHqNjhuqxFc4USdZyIsAT7f."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "camp6ell"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "camp6ell@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:33:06"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "camp6ell"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(115300)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It’s hard to tell from your two pics, but is the overall look of your house “pristine” or “character?”
If pristine, go new.
If character, go light in the sanding and love the imperfections that remain.

renovator2 | 7 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5126 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194407"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "renovator2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BU8ovQZJuj9CvH.PCmMFlKDWZlVaVf."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "renovator2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "sara.hodges@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 14:29:02"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(61) "Your first name Your last name Your first name Your last name"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194407)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Ask yourself is it worth the time and energy to find out. Then ask yourself what are you’re long term goals for the performance of the floor.

pmody | 7 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5122 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5127 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178142"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "pmody"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BuI6YM9/L7inNPUjRXjtcrdOA0kbzm1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "pmody"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "pankaj.mody@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(54) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/3square_reno/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:40:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "3square_reno"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178142)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Have you considered taking up the strip and flipping the boards over. If the boards are loose, they may come out without too much prying. With any luck, the other side is in decent shape.