Flooring installation is a profession that is in demand among the professions in the field of construction. However, any profession in the field of construction has a specific set of tools that a professional would need to have. It is the same even with the flooring installer. There are some tools that are quite common to many professions. All the same, there are certain tools that are exclusively for flooring installers. Anyway, in this article, we are going to provide a brief summary of the flooring installation tools. Our catchy content would surely impress you. Go ahead reading!
Importance of Flooring Installation Tools
Obviously, there is a big value for all the tools that one may have to use in a certain profession. It is because of the relevant tools one can turn himself or herself into a particular professional. And it is because of the relevant tools one can engage in a profession in the field of construction.
Had there been no tools, many things we see in the world today would not be there. The world would be so primitive if mankind did not make use of tools. Tools play such an important role in terms of the world’s continuous and inevitable development.
It is the same with the field of construction and flooring installation. Without the right tools, flooring installation would never be easy. It would take ages to do a particular type of work if there are no tools.
Fortunately, we do not have to talk about the unavailability of tools. We have all the tools that we need. Of course, we just have to get a good idea of the tools we have and make use of them. That is all that is left out thanks to those who have manufactured the tools.
So, for flooring installers, it is only to make use of the tools. But anyway, you need to have a pretty good idea of the flooring installation tools first. This article is basically for that. We are going to tell you a good lot of things about the most essential flooring installation tools of a flooring installer.
Most Essential Flooring Installation Tools
Yes, now we have come to the placet you may have been waiting to read about. It is the description of the most essential flooring installation tools. To start with, let us list them down.
- Tapping block
- Floor scraper
- Miter saw
- Tile saw
- Chalk line
- Cordless drill
- Level
- Rubber mallet
No doubt, you would be really excited to know about each of them. And yes, we are going to tell you.
1. Tapping Block
Initially, we are going to focus on the tapping block. Obviously, this is one of the most important flooring installation tools that a flooring installer would need to have. The tool list of a flooring installer would be completely incomplete without a tapping block. It is that much essential.
Basically, you can use the tapping block to protect the edge of the plank during flooring installation. If you do not use a tapping block, damages can occur to the plank. Therefore, it is indeed important to use a tapping block. Also, you can conveniently have a much tighter seam between the planks. That is indeed pretty much important. Hence, when you are finished with the installation of one row of planks with another, what you have to do is tap the long groove with the tapping block. And make sure that the rows are completely tight.
It is a lot better if you have a tapping block with a combination edge design. That would easily allow you to use it on a variety of floors without any problem. Also, purchasing durable products is yet another pretty important factor. If your products are not durable, that is indeed going to be a big problem. If so, the money that you spent to purchase it would be a useless waste of money. Therefore, go for a product that is made of a durable material like polypropylene for your flooring installation work.
However, you must always make sure that you use a mallet when you are operating the tapping block. That is essential for its long life.
Bullet Tools 711 Tapping Block, Ergonomic (0.6 lbs/Vol. 0.11), 3 x 7 x 3 inches, Black
We told you how important a tapping block is for a flooring installer. And this is the tapping block that we recommend to you. The pro-length tapping block fills in gaps during flooring installation. When installing sensitive tongue and groove flooring, you can use this professional tapping block to prevent damage. To get precisely tight floors, just put against the edge of a laminate or hardwood flooring plank and tap with a hammer. Also, this has received pretty good customer ratings and reviews. That is another reason for us to choose this for you.
2. Floor Scraper
Here is another important one among the flooring installation tools. The floor scraper is also of vital importance. And yes, most of the time, a flooring installer would have to use a floor scraper before he or she starts off his or her work with the installation process using a floor scraper.
The name of the tool is indeed suggestive. Of course, this tool is for existing flooring removal and for removing the residue. Hence, this is most important when you are carrying out a demolition or cleanup job. Using a floor scraper for these types of tasks would save you time a lot. And it would help you startup your actual flooring installation work with pretty good preparation. That is the most important thing in terms of a flooring installer using a floor scraper as one of his or her flooring installation tools.
It would be very convenient for you if the floor scraper has a telescopic handle. That would allow you to have a comfortable position. And of course, you would be able to have good control of the floor scraper as well. So, you would not have to crawl around at all.
And it is indeed much beneficial if your floor scraper has angled blades. That eases your positioning. Eventually, the sharpness of the blades would be long-lasting.
All the same, make sure that you purchase a floor scraper that comes with several blades. So, it would be very easy for you to get to your work as you have the perfect capability to choose the right blade for the right type of work.
Bon Tool 15-158 Floor Scraper – Steel Blade – 14″ – 5′ Steel Handle
In terms of floor scrapers, we think that this would be a good one for you. This has a 14-inch blade. Of course, as you know, it is important for a floor scraper to be a durable and sturdy one, especially when you are buying such a piece of equipment for professional purposes. And we think that this suits you because of that. “Well made, nice thick metal blade, tough handle.” This is how a happy customer of this product has reviewed it on Amazon.
3. Miter Saw
The miter saw is another very important tool that a floor installer would have to use as one of his or her flooring installation tools. This positions a mounted blade onto a board and allows you to make accurate crosscuts in a workpiece. In the past, a miter saw consisted of a backsaw in a miter box. However, now there are powered circular saws.
Usually, miter saws are in use for a variety of different things. You may use a miter saw for cutting wood, metal, or plastics. Yet, what is important to us is its use in the field of construction for flooring installation. You can use a miter saw to crosscut the materials you need accurately. However, miter saws are available in a variety of sizes. So, you would have to choose a miter saw from the right size. Anyway, miter saws are not very big. So, you can easily take them from one place to another. Also, it is better if the miter saws are lightweight. Then, you would get the ability to handle them quite easily without any trouble. You would be able to store and transport it quite easily as well.
However, we must ask you to purchase a quality and durable product when you are purchasing a miter saw. That would indeed give you the capability to use it for a long period of time without any trouble.
DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw, 12-Inch (DWS779)
You are looking for a good miter saw to buy for you? Here is a good one. This has ten positive stops with its 12-inch miter saw blade’s stainless steel miter detent plate. And this miter saw includes a machined base fence support and a precision miter system. Many buyers of this product are so happy with its condition. The reviews and ratings on Amazon bear testimony to the fact.
4. Tile Saw
We are moving on to another one of the flooring installation tools. It is the tile saw. Unarguably, this is also one of the indispensable tools that a flooring installer would need to have. Perhaps, you may refer to this tool as a tile cutter as well. Of course, a flooring installer would have to get
It is better if the tile saw is equipped with an onboard miter square that would help to line up miter cuts. And it is better if it has a roll cage. Then, It provides convenient carrying and safety of the cutting cart. Further, having a splash guard for the tile saw would also be an aspect of importance. In addition, a drain plug would also be of some use for a tile saw because it allows you to drain water over a bucket with ease.
Of course, it is very convenient to use a tile saw as they are not very heavy and portable. You must indeed know how accurate the cuts are. So, you choose a quality product if you are going to buy a tile saw anew. Further, the durability of the tile saw is another aspect of major importance.
SKIL 3540-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw, Red
The top is made of corrosive-resistant stainless steel and can handle tiles up to 12 by 12 inches in size. For accurate straight and miter cuts, you can use an adjustable rip fence with a miter gauge. This has a blade cooling water reservoir. That helps in keeping the blade cool while minimizing dust and debris. Further, this has received many good reviews and ratings on Amazon. In specific, this has received good ratings for factors like portability, maneuverability, value for money, ease of using, accuracy, and ease of locking. Considering all these factors, we think that this would be a good one for you to go with.
5. Chalk Line
The chalk line is yet another one among the important flooring installation tools. Basically, a chalk line is a tool that you can use to draw straight lines among two points of a flat surface. For flooring installation, this is a very important tool. If you do not use such a tool, it would take a big amount of time for you to perform such a task. Even if you do it using a straightedge, you still would not be able to reach the same level of efficiency that you can reach when you are using a chalk line for that.
A chalk line is predominantly important in carpentry. Yet, you would have to use it big time for flooring installation as well. Especially when it comes to flooring installation, this would still be important for you to get straight lines as you would have to get the lines right in order to fix the tiles in the right places.
As you may see, a chalk line is a tool of vital importance although it is a simple and small tool. So, a flooring installer would definitely need to have a chalk line as one of his or her flooring installation tools. Anyway, make sure that you purchase a chalk line that is durable. Although this is a small tool, there is no use in wasting money for no reason. That is why we are asking you to go for genuine and quality products with which you can easily do your flooring installation work for a long period of time.
IRWIN STRAIT-LINE Chalk Line, Classic Reel, Blue, 100 ft. (1932880)
For quick and easy chalk filling, this has a fill door that is more than 70% bigger than the previous version. The abrasion-resistant polyline is 100 feet long and can deliver up to six strikes each pull. The sturdy steel handle and big center hub improve durability, strength, and torque, while the impact-resistant aluminum casing protects against damage. For factors like sheerness, value for money, ease of use, durability, this has positive feedback on Amazon.
6. Cordless Drill
And now we are moving on to the cordless drill. The cordless drill is also one of the very important flooring installation tools. Even if you do not have a cordless drill, you would still be able to do your work using a corded drill. Mainly, you would have indoor duties. So, getting a power supply would indeed not be a big problem for you for such sort of tasks. Yet, it would be much more convenient if you have a cordless drill. Due to this reason, we are exclusively going to focus on cordless drills.
Of course, cordless drills come in varying sizes. And there are different power levels and speeds as well. Therefore, depending on the situation, you would be able to use the right type of it. However, purchasing low-quality cordless drills would eventually lead you to a loss of money because they are not durable.
And of course, proper maintenance is also another important factor. So, make sure that you properly maintain your equipment without fail. If not, you would not be able to make use of them efficiently. So, this is pretty much about cordless drills.
Cordless Drill Set – Adedad 20V Drill with 300 in-lbs Torque, Max 1550 RPM Variable Speed, Built-in LED | Power Drill/driver for Home Improvement
This cordless drill features both high and low-speed settings. (0-1550 rpm and 0-450 rpm), And there is a variable speed control feature using its trigger. With this, you will be getting this 20V cordless drill driver, 1300mAh 1000 cycle batteries, a 1.5h fast charger, an extension rod(60mm), 9 drill bits, 11driver bits, 10 screws, a flexible shaft, storage bag, a user manual, and a 12-month quality promise. As this received excellent reviews and ratings from its customers, we think that this would surely be a great one for you.
7. Level
The level is also significantly important for a flooring installer. Of course, without a level, you would not be able to check the flatness of the surface. It is with a level that you would be able to determine that you are installing the flooring installations in the correct positions with the right alignments.
Having someone to walk on an angled floor would just be a joke. Leveling the floor to the right extent is of that much importance. Therefore, it is mandatory to use the levels and make the floor perfectly flat in order to give the right finish for the floors that you work on.
And again, we would have to tell you that although this is a small tool that you would not consider at great length, it is of so much importance. Hence, purchase tools that are of premium quality all the time.
Laser Level, 98ft Green Self-Leveling Laser Line with Magnetic Base, with Adjustable Lightness Line Cross Laser Level for Picture Hanging – KAIWEETS T03
With this laser level, you have the ability to adjust to different brightness modes using just a single button. You can adjust them to 50 percent, 65 percent, 80 percent, and 100 percent brightness to last longer. Work time of 16 hours is possible with this level. You have the ability to have the lase level straight even on an uneven surface within 4°. And this has received positive ratings for features like value for money, accuracy, brightness, and ease of use. So, we think that this would be ideal for your use.
CRAFTSMAN Torpedo Level, 9-Inch (CMHT82390)
This level tool can provide maximum accuracy of 0.0005-inch/ ft.. (0.5mm/M) the shock-absorbing end caps of this torpedo level hold up to heavy use for certain. And its rubber end caps are over-molded for non-marring leveling and shock resistance. For factors like sturdiness, ease of use, ease of reading, accuracy, and lightness, this has received excellent ratings on Amazon.
8. Rubber Mallet
Gradually, we have come to the last one of the flooring installation tools that we are going to talk about. And it is about the rubber mallet. Discussing this at the end does not mean that this is of less importance. Obviously, this is also one of the flooring installation tools that are of significant importance.
Actually, this is kind of a hammer. And you can use this for purposes like driving chisels as well. The specialty of the rubber mallet is that this would give you a much softer impact than you would get when you are using a hammer with a metalhead. So, they are important when you want to make an impact on something without making impact marks on the particular surface.
TEKTON 16 oz. Fiberglass Handle Rubber Mallet | 30603
The double-faced solid rubber head of this rubber mallet can deliver a softened positive strike. And this has a high-strength fiberglass handle. That core helps absorb vibrations. The handle core is protected against missed blows by an exterior poly jacket. The soft, non-slip rubber grip is a big help for the operator to grip the tool properly and effectively. So, we think that with the use of this rubber mallet, you can make your flooring installation work pretty effective.
The Bottomline
We discussed a lot about the flooring installation tools that a flooring installer would need in general. If you wish, you can read and get to know about carpentry tools, plumbing tools, ironworker tools, electrician tools, masonry tools, HVAC tools, and glazing tools. So, with the understanding that you would be having by now, you would be able to engage in the profession effectively.
