Flooring Installers & Supplies Sought in Florida K
Key West, FL, November 10, 2005--Keys residents are scurrying to replace the two most important components that lend to a home's integrity: Floors and roofs, which took a beating from Hurricane Wilma's winds and tidal surge, according to the Keynoter.
According to flooring business owners in the Keys, finding labor, not product, is causing delays.
"People want to get rid of their rugs and install something that can withstand a storm surge like we saw," said Matt Orr, who's in charge of purchasing and sales at Key West Deco in Key West. "People are seeking porcelain tile, they're also seeking natural stone, and wood flooring."
Even though wood flooring doesn't stand up well to flooding, Orr says some people love it too much to give it up.
Whatever their taste in product, Orr says it's readily available, and that trucking delays are minor.
"The only situation that's happened here with our major shipping lines is that there's so much going on in Key West, there's a delay in shipping but most of our suppliers have adequate supplies."
There is, however, a shortage of professionals available for installation, prompting many homeowners to do it themselves.
In finding an installer, "My advice would be word of mouth is good," Orr said. "Go by referral."
He also suggests people use latex-modified thinsets, that's the setting material, "or you can have a surge like we just had and the tiles are going to pop right up."
Like Key West Deco, NC Tile & Carpet in Marathon imports flooring essentials from all over. Melba Robleto, owner and manager of NC Tile, says some brands are available the same day; others take up to a week.
"We send a truck once a week to do pickups in other places, Miami, PompanoÂ…," she said.
For those needing help ripping up damaged flooring, some businesses are sending out "pullout crews," such as Classic Carpet and Tile, which has stores in Key West, Big Pine Key and Marathon.
Co-owner Tammy Carnell recommends applying a mold-killing enzyme to the sub-floor once the removal is complete.
