We recently installed laminate flooring in the top floor of our house, but now after installing it we realize there are many areas where it sinks, even after placing a little extra padding over the deep spots, and it gives the floor a 'squishy' feeling.
Since we've already installed the laminate flooring, peeling it out and redoing it all is not an option for us, especially since it took us weeks to install. Is there an effective way to modify the laminate floor without having to remove the panels in order to fix the 'squishing'?
2007-01-25 15:04:15 · 12 answers · asked by MM 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Looks like you ll need to lift it, then put Ply board down then relay your flooring, Laminate etc is a floating floor, make sure you allow a small gap around the edge,If you don't want beading, remove skirting boards before laying.
2007-01-31 01:17:38 · answer #1 · answered by lynda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Laminate flooring is installed in a floating type of installation. The key word here is floating. Unfortunately you are very limited on your solutions. But you have just a few.
1. Check to see that the edges of the flooring are not coming into contact with a wall or doorjamb. Proper spacing is very inportant as expansion of your new floor can occur and bind or push against a stationary point causing a pillowing efffect.
2. If you have any heavy furniture, again check to see that this is not acting as an anchor, not allowing the floor to move. This will usually cause the movement go away when the heavy piece of furniture is shifted away from any bubble in the area.
3. You should have checked you subfloor for deflection before you installed the new floor. Many times if carpeting was previously installed, 2nd story wood floors would move underfoot. Between the carpet and the padding, this often goes unnoticed. Fixing this type of movement often requires a framing contractor to check/repair the joists.
4. I've tried to be as optimistic about your situation as can be, however if you have gotten this far and your floor still moves, you are going to have to seperate it and shim it up with thin plywood or press board. I recommend wood because I have seen many attemps of leveling floor inperfections with padding. The problem with foam padding is that it doesn't give you the firmness that an otherwise flat level floor would normally provide. Patch your floor by cutting the 1/8" or 3/16" wood into circles or ovals to the size of the depression in the subfloor. Hardboard or masonite work fine for this. Another solution would be to patch the low spots with a floor filling compound. just make sure it is given adequate enough time to dry before covering it up with the new foam and wood. Either method will work fine, and unfortunately are the only solutions.
2007-01-25 17:11:52 · answer #2 · answered by mmmmaher 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i got a bad tile job so i had to get a lawyer..check to see if you can get a free on through union? or one who will take the job and he will bet paid if you win the case ..lawyers are a dime a dozen around here and its worth checking out the competiton..in my case the lawyer got a outside contractor and he wrote up all the concerns that was with the installation of the tile.. he found 15-mistakes or concerns and the bottom line is i got satisfaction as they had to re do the job and put in a sub floor...plywood and now my tile does not crack just by walking on it
you paid good money and you know there are more bad work being done then good work..its a shame..in florida they rebuilt after those hurricanes and you should hear the problems these people are having with shoddy..check with the Better Business Bureau in your area and lodge a complaint and ask to see the past history of the contractor/carpentar who did you work..this should be the first thing you do before the work is done,,,but i did not do that either
2007-02-02 14:15:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best answer you have killed in the bud. That is put down a new sub floor. Since you say that is not an option.
Try this on for size, tear out the ceiling of the room below, and beef it up from the bottom. Think about that for a little while and I am sure you will decide "redoing will be a good option"
2007-01-31 15:47:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've learned a very valuable, & perhaps expensive lesson.
That is to always make sure you have a good subfloor BEFORE you go laying laminate or tile over it.
Now you can either learn to live with it, or tear it up. Those are your options.
2007-01-25 16:26:25 · answer #5 · answered by No More 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The old floor should have been repaired to accept your new laminate flooring.There is not much you can do now exept take it back up and start over.Sorry
2007-02-02 12:19:31 · answer #6 · answered by Billy T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I normally put a new layer of plywood down and the new floor on top so this doesn't happen. Do you have access from below, If so, you may be able to see if you have severe floor problems and if no problems, put shims between the flooring and the beams below.
any questions: grkirk@hotmail.com
2007-01-25 15:25:50 · answer #7 · answered by Nort 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, you will have to remove the flooring and fix the low spot, then replace the floor. This is the best way to fix it right. Otherwise just deal with the squishy feeling.
2007-01-30 07:53:56 · answer #8 · answered by 1TON 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use concrete board for your sub-floor.
2007-01-31 19:50:23 · answer #9 · answered by bigronsko 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh Ohh. This sounds like serious stuff.
Who installed it? is there someone you can call who did it?
It sound like a very dubious job to me.
2007-01-31 13:13:03 · answer #10 · answered by sylvia a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋