Laminate flooring uneven raised area issue

[dean1256]

Hi,

We recently had laminate flooring installed in one of our bedrooms. After the fitter left we later noticed one area where it raises and then dips. I have attached photos, you can literally see the scotia trim raised up and then goes down. I even used a spirit level and you can see the uneven gap difference. When standing on that area, it feels very firms and raised up and then slopes. Sponge rubber underlay was used. I spoke to Tapi carpets store who had one of their fitters do the work, they first said it takes 48 hours for it to settle. However it didn't do anything. Second time, they said they spoke to the fitter and the sub flooring is raised up in that area so there isn't anthing that can be done about it. The sub flooring can be seen in the photos. It looks fine and I have never noted any uneven surface area in that area before. The thing is as you know Tapi is very expensive and at the higher end of the market mainly because of their after sales service and the area highlighted can be seen so obviously before you enter the room.

I'm not sure what else to do. Tapi store have told me they can't do anything . Four pictures attached. The underlay used is foil underlay 3mm.

Dean

 

[accelerator]

You might not have noticed it before, but the dip was almost certainly there before the laminate was put down.

 

[dean1256]

Thanks but the issue we have isn't the dip but that area, the laminate is raised up like a bump as the spirit level shows so when you stand on that area, it is higher than the rest of the area. To rectify this does the chipboard need replacing or sanding down or something else? Normally how is this sorted? Could it be the fitter has put something in there to raise it up because of the dip?

 

[Koolpc]

Floor should have been checked before laying the laminate....

 

[dean1256]

I know but my original post, there were some questions I raised in regards to this.

 

[Scally-Ho]

Alway take photo of working areas before any work starts. That way you have something to compare the 'after' look with.

 

[Wayners]

Flooring needs to come up.
Might be the floor joist too high which would be a big job to fix.
Downstairs ceiling is fixed to it.
Could plane off joist after lifting flooring...

Did anyone inspect floor prior to laminate going down? Very odd if not

 

[accelerator]

Just to clarify, you're saying that when you press down on the raised area, it doesn't move at all, i.e. it is solid?

 

[dean1256]

Just to clarify, you're saying that when you press down on the raised area, it doesn't move at all, i.e. it is solid?

It is very solid yes, very firm. The other areas are much softer. Sponge rubber underlay was used. Possibly the fitter packed the area by putting somethign under there, I don't know. It is raised up.

 

[dean1256]

Flooring needs to come up.
Might be the floor joist too high which would be a big job to fix.
Downstairs ceiling is fixed to it.
Could plane off joist after lifting flooring...

Did anyone inspect floor prior to laminate going down? Very odd if not

I don't know. Tapi provide a full service including fitting. They removed the carpets and installed the laminates. One would think they would know what they are doing as their fitters are fully vetted and not everyone can be one of their approved fitters. Plenty of fitters would be knocking on their doors for work but they would only choose one or maybe two laminate fitters at best per area so they would have to be very good at what they do as they can always find someone else if they want to which is why I found this odd but I have taken pictures and sent it to their head office now.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Sponge rubber underlay was used. Possibly the fitter packed the area by putting somethign under there, I don't know. It is raised up.

Assuming the fitter didn't leave something untoward under there - the sponge underlay would be compressed at a high spot of the floor, and it would have less give.

 

[Scally-Ho]

Has you caged bird gone missing since the floor layer left?

 

[accelerator]

If where the peak of the bump is at the skirting board, if you where to draw a line at right angles to skirting board into the room and move along it, would the bump be present all along this line? i.e. does the bump go right through the room, or is it just at the edge?

 

[dean1256]

I managed to speak to the fitter today on the phone. He mentioned the issue relates to the joist. He was aware of the issue but for some reason did not tell me at the time but instead put the laminates straight on top. He said the joist in that area is higher which is causing the issue and said nothing can be done about it now. He said it would cost at least £1000 to fix the issue. Tapi store have been unhelpful and the fitter just put the phone down. On Tapi's website they state we will ensure the floor is even clearly not. I don't see why I should have to pay £1000 to fix the issue. Has they told me at the beginning, I may have sourced another fitter who does specialise in sub floor preparation. I would of thought using a multi tool, grind out the chipboard and trim some of the joist layer would do the job, he said its not possible.

 

[Wayners]

They would need to remove flooring.
Remove chipboard
Cut joist back
Replace chipboard
Lay flooring.

Problem for fitters is they just fit. If something is wrong and they need to drive away because they can't fit flooring, it cost them money for that day. Money is tight for some so they just carry on.