Uneven flooring after new laminate floor installation, what could be an issue?
Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 3.05 PM
Hello all experts here,
Recently, we installed new lamination flooring in our flat. We removed previously installed laminate floor (almost 15 years old) and replace it with new laminate floor. New one is german made AC4 8mm. We also installed bidding around all corners.
After a week we started realizing that floor is not even all over. There are couple of bumps and some places floor makes little bit of cracking noise. At some places we feel some slope.
With old installation, which we used for a month, we didn't feel this kind of unevenness.
We asked our installer about it and he said flooring need to settle. Also uneven surface is because of uneven sub-flooring. He said it will take 3-4 months to settle after I keep some furniture and beds over it.
I am little bit confused here about the exact cause. It feels to me that previous installation was not removed properly and new underlay was not used equally for all laminate floor. Because of which I feel some gaps beneath the laminate floor.
I am not sure about the reason. Can someone help me to understand what can be the problem here? Should I ask my installer to open the laminate floor and show me what's beneath it?
Help appreciated!
Thanks!
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
If the concrete floor or floor boards aren't level for you sub layer. If it's a very small amount it won't matter but if you feel your floor slopping. It's a clear sign the the sub layer isn't level and needs to be made level. Some squeaks are normal. But you need to make sure the underlay is covered on the sub layer aswell. Otherwise you can feel the floor bouncing to the sub layer
Hi you would not have realized any problems with original floor as it had many years & settled fully. Your new floor will need to settle if it is uneven but to what extent is it uneven. Was your laminate laid on A. wood floorboards, B. Chipboard or C. concrete? If on floor A. Hardboard or ply sheets laid first would have improved surface providing fixed all over & don’t forget to check for loose floorboards first. If B.`Chipboard` Better that A. But possible `thin` underlay has overlapped (If used) causing the problem of bumps. I believe a good chipboard floor is the best surface for laminate, If C. then a leveling compound laid first would have improved levels if uneven at least 5mm thick all over & a good drying time. An experienced fitter would have offered any of the above to give you the best finish. Of course if you supplied materials did you supply enough underlay, did he?, was the `New` underlay a good quality? Its possible the fitter saw & realized the condition of the floor but failed to mention so as not to hold him up on the fitting.
At this time, I would do as the fitter suggests wait the 3-4 months for settling providing he agrees to come back to investigate at that time if it does not improve & if it does not get him back to investigate. If he fails to turn up get someone else & pass on the bill.
Hope this helps.
