Laminate floor rising.

[seabro]

Hi,

I had some laminate installed in my ground floor flat. It went down on good floors onto some green fibre board underlay.

I had it installed whilst on holiday and when I got back there were raised areas which go down when you stand on it but rise again when you move away.

I am not overjoyed about the fact it is lifting but my major concern is that currently it is FREEZING as there is no heating in the flat and I can't help feeling that when summer comes and it expands it will be like walkin in sand dunes.

Is there any other cause of lifting other than being cut too close to the wall? It is difficult for me to know what size gaps have been left as new skirting was fitted after the floor..

Whats the prognosis doc(s)?

 

[gregers]

in the summer it will shrink not expand,
can you post some pics?
cannot really comment without seeing the problem.

 

[mattysupra]

in the summer it will shrink not expand,
can you post some pics?
cannot really comment without seeing the problem.

other way round mate! In the summer the floor will expand! In the winter the floor will not expand as the heating will dry the moister in the air! However, for some reason you dont have your heating working, why?

This is your first problem which will cause damage to flooring/plaster/paint/doors/kitchen/bathroom/pipework/boiler/rads/etc etc etc!

how long has this floor been down?

 

[seabro]

hi guys,

photos wont really show it.. it's just in one or two areas (three) when you stand on it it goes down.

The heating isn't working because there isn't any (central heating that is). The floor only been down about two weeks, I haven't long bought the place.

so will it shrink or grow in summer?

Thing is, to check all the edges now will mean removing skirting and architrave and it has all been painted and everything.

They way it is RIGHT NOW is not the end of the world.. but I don't want to pay the balance then find in the summer it gets much worse...

 

[JohnD]

swelling is usually due to damp. If your flat is empty and unheated it is likely to be a bit damp.

I hope that the laminate was isolated from any damp underneath, either by being laid on a modern dry concrete floor with a dpm, or a well-ventilated and dry wooden floor, or by being laid on its own DPM.

 

[mattysupra]

if only a couple of weeks old and you say the subfloor was flat before fitting then the problem will get worse. Sounds like no where near enough expansion and if this is the case the floor will soon be destroyed. Also if you have stud walls expect them to start moving and plaster been cracked in corners along with door frames being bent. Who fitted the flooring? Easy fix will be to get the heating working asap, but this will not help you in the summer! Remove the skirts asap and cut more expansion! ( this is providing its not your subfloor at fault)

 

[mattysupra]

o' quick test. Get a paper clip and bend the end over so you can push under the skirting and then twist it 90 degrees so you can feel how much expansion is left. You will need to check the end of every board.

 

[seabro]

Thanks for all the replies thats a great paperclip tip Matt! I will try it tommorow.