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Waterpop—it sounds like a new, trendy sports drink! In reality, though, the word refers to a specific technique that, when applied to flooring installation jobs, can sometimes take the look of your hardwood flooring to its next luxurious level. That being said, though, it’s a risky practice, and when done incorrectly, it can actually be detrimental to the flooring’s looks and structure.
On the fence about trying your hand at waterpopping? E Hardwoods & Flooring, where you can buy hardwood flooring online, has the scoop on it below—its ins and outs, benefits, and drawbacks.
With all the talk about water and solid hardwood flooring not mixing, it might surprise you that it’s often used to bring out the color of woods and make them take better to stain—but that’s exactly what waterpopping refers to. When water is sprayed lightly onto wood before staining, it widens the wood’s pores and allows it to take the color better.
This isn’t a process you can just do with a spray bottle, though; it’s a complex process, and it often requires a specialized tool, called a T bar, to get the job done right. This apparatus, which looks rather like a window squeegee, helps to keep the water levels even, which helps prevent the process from backfiring, a possibility which we’ll discuss below.
This technique is used by many flooring professionals because it helps to deliver a rich color to the finished result. When it comes to dark stains, waterpopping can add a deep, rich element to the final color. The process also allows for even staining, helping to prevent blotchiness.
However, as we said earlier, waterpopping isn’t something to be undertaken lightly. When performed by inexperienced hands, it can actually create blotchiness in your solid hardwood flooring; water must be distributed perfectly evenly to get the desired results. You also risk ruining a perfectly good floor if you’re too liberal with water application.
Absolutely not! Prefinished hardwood flooring comes ready to install right out of the box—provided you acclimate it and cut it to size, of course. In many cases, waterpopping is a technique best left to the pros, simply because it can go disastrously wrong if you aren’t careful. If you’re looking for a new hassle-free hardwood flooring, go with the prefinished type. Best yet, buy it online!
From engineered hardwood flooring to prefinished hardwood flooring and vinyl, we’ve got all the options you need for a stress-free and simple home renovation. Check out our massive online stock today!