Flooring in Ohio

The median home in Ohio was built in 1970, and about 63% were built before 1980. Vinyl floor tiles and adhesives from before the 1980s can contain asbestos. Do not sand or scrape an old floor until it has been tested. Federal EPA rules require firms that disturb painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 to follow lead-safe work practices. Ask whether the company is EPA lead-safe certified.

About 27% of Ohio's counties are in climate zone 4A (mixed, humid), based on the U.S. Department of Energy's county map. Humidity makes wood floors swell and shrink. Ask how long the flooring will acclimate and whether concrete slabs get a moisture test. Check your own county's zone, since conditions differ across the state.

About 69% of homes in Ohio are single-family houses, and about 67% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners.

Replacing floor coverings usually does not need a permit, but repairing or replacing the subfloor or joists can. In Ohio, building permits are issued by cities and counties, so the rules depend on where the home is. Ask the company who pulls the permit, and keep a copy of it.

Ohio has no statewide general contractor license; the state board licenses electrical, HVAC, plumbing, refrigeration and hydronics contractors. For other trades, ask your city or county building department which license applies, and ask the company for its license number.