Help needed with laying laminate flooring – second row lifting up

[shahlena]

I'm laying laminate flooring for the first time and having problems getting the planks to fit together properly. Some of the edges appear to be chipped or damaged, and I'm struggling to get the joints to sit flat.

I've attached photos of the edges. Could someone experienced in fitting laminate flooring advise whether the locking mechanism has been damaged, whether I'm fitting the planks incorrectly, or whether there could be a problem with the flooring itself?

I'd appreciate any advice before I continue and risk damaging more planks. Thank you.

 

[Wayners]

You got the flooring tool or made one from flooring offcut to knock it together?
First few rows can be a struggle but as you get to row 4 it's easier.
Bit of something on for weight to what you have layed to steady it.
Put a row together then slot the lot in if you can.

Re photo. Don't look right. Not lined up and level.
Can't see chips.
What you using for tools? Don't hit it directly.

 

[opps]

You only seen to have one row in place. Once you offset the second row, I would expect it to hold the join flat.

As @Wayners said, once you have a 4 rows in place it makes it easier to install the rest (the others become more stable).

 

[stevie888]

I find the most important thing is to pack the first row so it's absolutely solid when you come to push in the second. I got a pack of adjustable flooring packs from Toolstaion which make the job very easy.

Check eack board carefully all round for damage before you try to fit it: even a small bit of debris will stop the joint closing.

I've also found that a gentle tap using a suitable softening block will fully close a joint that appears by eye to be fully home but in reality is a fraction out.