Laminate Crackling Problem

[Castironproblems]

Hoping for some help. I had Berry Alloc Cheatu Laminate flooring installed in November last year but have had noise problems since installation. When walked on, the floor crackles a bit like if there was rice crispies or packets of crips stuck underneath the flooring.

I've read some articles online about it settling after a few months and disappearing but conversely some have advised that it'll never settle and the problem is likely due to the subfloor unevenness. We previously had laminate flooring down and had no problems so I'm doubtful it's the subfloor.

I've contacted the retailer and the manufacturer about the flooring problem but it's at a standstill at the moment. Initially Berry Alloc advised that the compressive strength of the underlay needed to be at least 100 kPA. This was not listed by the retailer as a requirement for installation so I selected QA Techniboard underlay which I later found out was 80kPA which they are now reviewing.

Has anyone else had problems with this crackling before or does anyone have any advice on how to fix?

 

[dazlight]

Wouldn’t use that type of underlay. Should of gone high spec like Timbermate Excel. I’d say that the cause of the problem if the floor is level.

 

[Castironproblems]

Thanks for the reply. Think I may have to lift the flooring and relay but it’s a narrow herringbone so will be a struggle.

What do you think the breakage rate will be from lifting a floor?

 

[Castironproblems]

Just had another thought about this flexing crackling noise problem. The flooring is laid in an extension with a concrete subfloor as well as throughout house on floorboards. The parts that are concrete fill extremely solid underfoot and do not flex where as anywhere on the floorboards does. The floor also seems to crackle a lot less when the temperature is low before heating kicks in the morning. Another thing is that I had the floor fitted in November when I had no central heating installed. It was being stored in a room with heating so would’ve acclimatised to house but the rooms it was fitted in would’ve been cold during installation.

I’ve had this flooring laid throughout my house so it’s very problematic to lift to replace the underlay. I’m trying to become as sure as possible that the underlay will fix it as it’ll be very expensive to lift and relay.

Does anyone have any other suggestions of things to try?

 

[wyls]

Hello just wondering if you have managed to resolve your floor issue as I have the same floor (92m2) and the same problem. Mine was installed in Oct/Nov 2020 by my builder when we had the extension done. My builder is blaming the product but I also had a separate flooring company round to have a look and they said it is the leveling of the floor. I am in the process of getting an independent flooring specialist to come out to see what they think before I contact Berry Alloc. Thanks

 

[Castironproblems]

No, unfortunately not. I think my problem was due to levelling in some areas and underlay in others but Berry got out through the underlay and the builder continued to blame the product so I got no where.

What area are you in? I looked for a local flooring specialist but couldn't find any so pretty much gave up but I'd be very interested in hearing how your progress goes. I also tried spraying some products such as Stop Creak on it to no avail.

 

[wyls]

Google independent floor specialist and you should be able to get one out to you but you will have to pay.

I will keep you posted with my progress. I believe mine is the underlay and also levelling as some area is clearly not levelled.

I have also done WD 40 and stop creek - didn’t work at all.

 

[dazlight]

No, unfortunately not. I think my problem was due to levelling in some areas and underlay in others but Berry got out through the underlay and the builder continued to blame the product so I got no where.

What area are you in? I looked for a local flooring specialist but couldn't find any so pretty much gave up but I'd be very interested in hearing how your progress goes. I also tried spraying some products such as Stop Creak on it to no avail.

try looking on the NICF website

 

[Castironproblems]

Google independent floor specialist and you should be able to get one out to you but you will have to pay.

I will keep you posted with my progress. I believe mine is the underlay and also levelling as some area is clearly not levelled.

I have also done WD 40 and stop creek - didn’t work at all.

Did you manage to make any progress?

My floor has been down for over a year now and creaking consistently except last night when the humidity levels were below 50% in the house. Can any experts offer any advice on what this could mean and if there’s any other ways to fix it than keeping humidity this low?

 

[wyls]

Hello I have not gone very far with mine. My builder said he will look into underlay and maybe redoing the whole floor.

My friend has just installed the same flooring and his has no creaks at all. He used a special underlay for wooden floor.

I am afraid the only way to resolve the issues is to redo the floor.

 

[Clarkapc]

I have this same problem, we had 90m2 laid in March and the cracking is so bad. I have had two people out and they can only suggest the green boards underlay rather than the grey XPS so worth a go in one room initially. How did you solve it and what was the cause? It is driving me mad as I hate walking on it.

 

[noelialonsor]

Hi everyone, I'm curious to know how you fixed the problem with the floor. We have just installed berry alloc laminate and even with two different underlayers the floor is creaking more and more. Anyone has decided to level the floor?

 

[dazlight]

One of the reasons we only sell quickstep. Best locking system on the market

 

[noelialonsor]

I have this same problem, we had 90m2 laid in March and the cracking is so bad. I have had two people out and they can only suggest the green boards underlay rather than the grey XPS so worth a go in one room initially. How did you solve it and what was the cause? It is driving me mad as I hate walking on it.

How did you solve it?

 

[Clarkapc]

I lifted the floor in one room and put green boards down, it was ok for a week then slowly gets worse and after a month just as bad. I am now going to bin the lot and start again with stick down LVT. There should be no issues at all with that. Frustrating as I am paying twice but risk of paying to relay the existing for it not to work is even worse outcome. I will screed which I think is my issue. I was told 50% could be lost if you raise and relay it so just not worth the cost and hassle. Stick down LVT rather than the click is more forgiving. Prob twice the cost of laminate but I can’t live with it.