How to Strap Clamps to Floors

When laying laminate flooring, it is necessary to strap clamps to the floor to interlock the flooring planks together tightly. Strap clamps for flooring consist of a single metal plate and a ratchet plate. The ratchet plate operates just like a ratchet strap. When you strap clamps to the floor, it is necessary to only strap three planks at a time. This helps ensure firm interlocking without bowing the floor. Floor strap clamps are available from the floor manufacturer and some home improvement centers.

Instructions

- 1
  Lay out three flooring planks according to the manufacturer's instructions. Each manufacturer has slight variations on interlocking the planks and gluing the floor. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions when installing the planks.
- 2
  Hook the metal plate over the edge of the first plank. The metal plate is flat with one side bent into a hook to grasp the side of the floor plank.
- 3
  Position the hook of the ratchet plate over the side of the third plank with the flat portion of the plate pointing toward the first metal plate.
- 4
  Lift the ratchet handle and pull the strap out until the spool of the handle is visible. Insert the end of the strap through the two notches on the front of the first metal plate. The strap should be flat across the three planks with no twists.
- 5
  Pull the end of the strap toward the ratchet to tighten the strap. Crank the ratchet handle up and down to further tighten the strap until the floor planks are interlocked and is not bowing.

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