Restoring a Birmingham School’s Parquet Flooring After Flood Damage
At Mazon Flooring, we were entrusted by a long-standing insurance client to address a significant flooring issue at Grestone Academy in Birmingham. The school’s parquet wood block flooring, which had been in place for over 60 years, suffered damage after a flood impacted areas adjoining the school hall.
Water seeped into the edges of the hall, causing the wood blocks to expand and lift. This led to the failure of the original bitumen adhesive and resulted in blocks coming loose and raising in the air. Additional damage around two perimeter doors also required thorough investigation and repair.
Step-by-Step Restoration Process
- Uplifting and Cleaning
Our team began by carefully removing all the loose wood blocks, preserving them in sequence for efficient reinstallation. The sub-floor was then thoroughly cleaned to remove the old bitumen adhesive, while the wood blocks were passed through a planer to strip the bitumen backing. - Sub-Floor Repairs
At the external entrance areas, we discovered a void left by the removal of an old air vent, which had been inadequately repaired. We installed a new, solid sub-floor to ensure a stable base for the wood blocks. Damaged blocks were replaced as necessary to restore the floor’s integrity. - Reinstallation
Once the sub-floor was prepared, we reinstalled the original blocks, trimming edge pieces to fit seamlessly back into place. Borders and intricate details were carefully restored to match the original layout. - Sanding and Gap Filling
With the repairs completed, we embarked on a full sand-and-seal restoration of the herringbone flooring. Years of wear, tear, and discoloration were addressed using professional Bona sanding equipment, including belt sanders, Flexi sanders, and edgers. Starting with a 24-grit pass, we progressively sanded up to a 120-grit finish for a smooth and even surface.
The areas where blocks were reinstalled required gap filling, which we achieved by mixing wood dust from the sanding process with Bona Mix & Fill, ensuring a seamless finish.
- Sealing and Finishing
To protect and enhance the restored floor, we applied Bona Classic UX primer followed by three coats of Bona Traffic HD in a matte finish. This not only revitalised the floor’s appearance but also ensured long-lasting durability.
Results
The parquet flooring has been beautifully restored to its former glory, retaining the character and charm of a floor that has served the school for over six decades.
If your wood flooring needs expert restoration or repair, trust Mazon Flooring to deliver outstanding results. Contact us today to discuss your project and arrange a consultation.