Tornado, Flooring, Caulking!!!

A week and a half ago, while shopping at Lowe’s in Norman, Oklahoma, the weather turned bad.  After loading the truck up with our newly purchased tile and thin set, for our main bathroom; we jumped on Interstate 35 to leave Norman to head home.  We had only been home for a couple of hours, when a tornado hit the Riverwind Casino in Norman. 

Thank goodness we’re safely at home; however, we had concerns regarding our travel trailer.  Our trailer is stored in a storage facility directly across the highway from the Riverwind Casino, the direction the tornado made its path.  Law enforcement had the highway and surrounding areas closed down, so first responders could help rescue people, and assess the damage. Therefore, we were unable to physically check on our travel trailer.  I placed a call to the manager of the storage facility.   She informed me they were attempting to get into the facility, and once at the facility, they would call us and let us know if our unit was affected by the tornado.  At 10:45 PM, I received a call from the manager, advising our storage unit was fine.  The storm passed it over, and hit the very next row of storage units.  The next morning, Bulldog Man and I, drove up to the storage facility to visually confirm all was well with our trailer, “The Beast”, and to drop off a few things in our trailer.  After checking our travel trailer, we both were so at ease that we didn’t have damage; it was nice knowing that we did not have to contact the insurance company.

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I’m going to give you a sneak preview of the floor being installed throughout our home.  Instead of replacing the damaged laminate again with laminate (something we were going to do in a couple of years, however, since the pipe broke, the flooring needed replacing).  We decided to go with engineered wood.  Here’s a before and after look, what do you think?

Old Laminate Floor

Engineered Wood Replacing the Laminate

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Bulldog Man and I have walked around our house identifying areas needing additional caulking from weather damage. This was to help prevent further issues to the wood, and to prevent any air leaks around windows.  After identifying the areas, we got busy caulking. Now we have one more thing to check off of our to do list.

How’s your winter chore list coming along?

**Recommendation - Hard Wood Repairs

While my Mom was sick, and before her passing, the tank-less water heater (located in the attic) pipes’ froze, causing a crack in the pipes, resulting in a substantial water leak.  The water leaked through the ceiling in the family room, down an archway, and on to the living room wood flooring.  The damage was extensive, and you know expensive.  We needed to find someone experienced with wood floors, a person who could carve wood, and stain it precisely to match the non-damaged carved wood flooring. 

 

After thorough research, Carlos Cosio, of Cosio Design Floors, was the hardwood expert we contracted to complete the work.   Carlos, without hesitation, came in, and looked at the existing water damage.  He asked what had happened. After explaining the situation, he came up with a plan of action to address the problem. Carlos was hired.  He and his assistant measured the damage area, and then proceeded to cut out the ruined/damaged wood.  The damaged wood was removed, allowing direct access to the concrete pad.  To ensure the floor was dry, Carlos requested the area remain open and exposed for 3 days.  Carlos returned with quality wood and proceeded to glue down the wood; exactly as before in place of the wood removed.   After gluing the wood, it was necessary to make sure all the new wood was exposed to the moisture/temperature of the house for one week, before hand carving and staining.  

After a week, Carlos returned, and created a plastic barrier (tent) around the problem area, to prevent dust from getting all over, and prevent it later from getting into the stain.  

Carlos, the professional that he is, explained every step he took making sure our questions were answered, and we were comfortable with the process, and satisfied with his work.

Carlos sanded and hand carved the wood floor with a hand scraper, ensuring the scraped pattern matched the pattern on the existing floor.  He cleaned up all the scrapings, and then brought in his wood stains to work with us in matching the color of the existing floor.  Once we found the exact stain match, he stained the floor, and then put down polyurethane on the new wood.  The floor needed time to dry. After 36 hours Carlos planned on returning to polyurethane all the floors in our parents’ home; to make them look new and presentable once again. 

Blogger friends, Carlos Cosio of Cosio Design Floors out of the Dallas / Ft. Worth area is a true professional, who makes sure his customers are totally satisfied with the work he provides. If you’re in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area and need help with your wood flooring, or just want wood floors, Carlos Cosio of Cosio Design Floors is someone I would highly recommend.  We are very satisfied with his work.  I’ve placed Carlos Cosio’s name and number permanently in my rolodex.

You know me friends; I don’t advertise openly, or recommend unless I’ve used the company, product, and / or services. 

With Carlos Cosio’s help, we’re one step closer to finishing the repairs at my parents’ home.

What a true blessing!

Contact Information Email and Website carloscosio@cosiodesignfloors.com

 www.cosiodesignfloors.com