Laminate floor - creaking/squeaking
I just had a professional install a floating laminate floor in my condo 4 days ago. It was 12mm planks, tongue in groove (no glue used), soundproofing laid underneath (3mm). Problem: Once he left and I started to clean up, I found that most of the floor, especially in 'traffic areas' (and there's only me walking on it!) squeaks and in one area it creaks (appears to be more noticeable at night). What options do I have with regard to stopping the floor from making this aggrevating noise? What should he be doing in order to stop this? I really don't want him coming up with excuses in order not to fix this, so if you can make me aware of what needs to be done in order to make this better (or why it's happening) I would appreciate it. Thanks First of all, since it was professionally done, YOU should not have to do anything but call them back and tell them to fix whatever the problem is....in a nice way of course Did they let the flooring acclimate to your condo? Do you notice any buckling? I don't know about the soundproofing underlayment but does that include a moisture barrier in that underlayment? Did they leave expansion gaps? It really doesn't matter (it does but...) I would give them a call 1st. Your subfloor may not be level. Thank you for your prompt responses. DIY Addict - no they didn't let the flooring acclimatize. I had concerns about that as everything I read said to allow at least 48 hrs in the room. They told me that their warehouse was heated, etc. and the planks were well sealed and it shouldn't be a prob. No buckling (yet, phew). Yes, it's supposed to have moisture barrier, it was a thin layer of cloth-like material. Expansion gaps around the rooms were left and covered with quarter rounds. EM69 - I had considered that, but was told that the soundproofing material would 'iron out' any little divets in floor. I really wish I could've done it myself, but it's such an expensive supply just to mess around with (being female and all). I may have broken a nail Seriously though, I was told to try talcom powder for squeaking floors - what's your view on this? As DIYers, is it going to be hard to rectify this? Will the whole floor have to be lifted?? I will call them again (they didn't return my first call), I really wish I could've done it myself, but it's such an expensive supply just to mess around with (being female and all). I may have broken a nail it's very possible to do it yourself...being female and all (I did!...of course with the help of all the people here on the forum. They were the greatest!). Maybe next time around! Yeah, the nails would have to go! They told me that their warehouse was heated, etc. and the planks were well sealed The acclimation is supposed to be done where it's supposed to be installed at. Who cares about their warehouse! I could be wrong about that but that's what I understand. Heating will make the laminate expand so let's say they installed it in your condo with the laminate fully expanded and even left the gaps as required...what happens when it gets cold and the laminate shrinks?...you'll start seeing gaps through the quarter rounds right? Don't know about the talcom powder but I'm sure someone will respond. I hope those guys return your call! Let us know! I'm sure if they never call you back the guys here will help you solve your problem. Don't give up hope though and make those guys fix your floor! You paid them money to do the job right so get your money's worth outta them. Their lack of acclimating the floor, to be in a hurry and slap it on the floor, ended up costing them a wasted day, pulling up and reinstalling your floor, with floor prep this time, also. They did prep the floor to make the substrate flat, didn't hey. The spec sheet in the cartons of laminate will tell exactly how and what needs to be done to have a lasting trouble free installation. Read those instructions, and you will see all the corners those HACKS, cut. well, he came back (took a while and a few phone calls), but basically what is happening is that the laminate was cut close around door frame (in order to look good) and with it being a floating floor and not level between rooms (no they didn't check level of concrete floor before laying), the floor definitely moves more in that area (wish they had put more padding down there), therefore, planks 'rub' against door frame and make creaking noise. He did say that they could come back and cut them, but the space will be a lot bigger and not look as good with the gap (I thought he had a good point). Quarter round cannot be used around the door frame because of the design of it. Nor can it be cut as it's a metal surround with wood fronts - that's condos for you (hope I described that right). And even with doing that, because the floor is uneven in that area, he couldn't guarantee that cutting the boards would get rid of problem (cowboys!) I got the sense he wasn't eager to bring someone out to lift floor and lay it again. Is there any kind of 'file' that I can try and use to file the board down a little in order to stop the creak? The space is close to none existent and I really don't want big gaps around doorway, unless there's something I can use to mask the cut and make it look pretty. Probably not a good idea, but I did use a little WD 40 on it and that helped!! Can I use the talc suggestion to 'silence' the little squeaks that comes with the floor moving (floating floor). I just can't go through the upheaval that would happen in order to level concrete floor and redo floor. I don't intend to live there for more than another year or two! Since the job wasn't done to manufacturers specifications, I would insist on a monitary refund!!! Those guys HACKED your floor in, and now are going to get off scott free for ripping you off! It's the same as stealing, in my book. Originally Posted by DD4 well, he came back (took a while and a few phone calls), good Originally Posted by DD4 but basically what is happening is that the laminate was cut close around door frame (in order to look good) and with it being a floating floor and not level between rooms (no they didn't check level of concrete floor before laying), the floor definitely moves more in that area (wish they had put more padding down there), therefore, planks 'rub' against door frame and make creaking noise. I'm not a pro about doors but can they use a reducer strip perhaps?...or square nose? What does the door look like? Is it the front door? Patio door? Originally Posted by DD4 He did say that they could come back and cut them, but the space will be a lot bigger and not look as good with the gap (I thought he had a good point). Quarter round cannot be used around the door frame because of the design of it. Nor can it be cut as it's a metal surround with wood fronts - that's condos for you (hope I described that right). And even with doing that, because the floor is uneven in that area, he couldn't guarantee that cutting the boards would get rid of problem (cowboys!) no guarantee huh? Originally Posted by DD4 I got the sense he wasn't eager to bring someone out to lift floor and lay it again. Is there any kind of 'file' that I can try and use to file the board down a little in order to stop the creak? The space is close to none existent and I really don't want big gaps around doorway, unless there's something I can use to mask the cut and make it look pretty. Probably not a good idea, but I did use a little WD 40 on it and that helped!! I wouldn't be eager either...it's like doing another piece of crappy work for free. An they call themselves professionals? They should be more than willing and sorry but I guess you don't get a lot nowadays. Why are they going to lift the floor and lay it again? Are they going to do something different? Maybe level the floor? I would fire them, get my money back and find a better installer. Sorry...it's just IMO. I know it's a lot of hassle and work and stress, but I don't know how many times you'll have to call them again and (not your business and maybe it wouldn't bother you) but what about the people that will be living there later? did you ever gwt the squeaks fixed? I just had beautiful Armstrong (coastal living): laminate floating floor installed, and they creak! I had Armstrong's best laminate flooring professionally installed in December 2009 in my kitchen. The noise from the squeaks and the creaks is driving me nuts. I called the installer and the company I bought it from and they said the noise will go away after awhile ! Well, here it is 3 months later and no improvement. I think it's actually getting worse. Help !!! I fitted a floating floor a few years ago, on top of a concrete slab and used the underlay with the moister barrier. The floor has not stopped creaking since! Hoping it would stop but not the case. The reason I think is the underlay is too hard and doesn't absorb enough of the deflection of the flooring when you walk?? Or/and the floor not entirely level, but it was professionally finished and seemed pretty good. I think if I pull the floor up and replace the underlay with the standard softer one should fix it. A lot of stuffing about!! Has anyone have a solution? I have 750 sq feet of Armstrong laminate I just installed. Its across three rooms and a hallway. The installation guides state that glue isn't needed, unless it is for a kitchen/bath installation. So I didn't use glue in the first room or hallway. To be super secure.. I glued all strips in the front door entrance area and the hallway, per Armstrongs instructions for possible wet area coverage. Then I discovered the first room and hallway creaks annoyingly. I continued to then use glue in the other rooms (even though they weren't really potentially wet areas like a kitchen or bathroom. End result: Every single area where the laminate was additionally glued together is extremely quiet... Any area where I didn't add the glue to the locking seams... They creak and click a little. I now wish I simply applied glue everywhere despite Armstrongs instructions of it not being necessary unless it's a wet area. I can show anyone four locations where the glue is silent zone and the creaking is pretty much whereever there wasn't the glue applied. I presume it stops minor rubbing between the planks. I will be able to reverse back about 60% of the unglued area. I will then just re-lay them again with the manufacturers glue. I am highly confident that should fix my creaking problems based on the installations throughout the other rooms. Unfortunately the hallway (the main traffic area) can not easily be so easily redone! Oh... And I did use Armstrongs premium underlay/soundproof under all the laminate. Not sure if it was mentioned in the previous posts, but you may alleviate the creaking in the hallway by lightly dusting the area with talcum powder, brushing it in and vacuuming it up. You can use a damp mop to remove the remainder. The talcum will soak in the cracks and provide lubrication. Sounds like the floor wasn't flat. I agree Sam, the flooring shouldn't move if the substrate was flat. There may be pockets of slump. A couple of points. First, since laminate changed from perimeter glue to mechanical joining, I have not acclimated laminate on any job I've expedited. This totals probably 50-100,000 square feet of product. I've worked for three different stores during this period and they've all had the same policy. Friends at other stores do not acclimate laminate either. So my feeling is that lack of acclimation is probably not the problem. The metal door frame is a difficult issue, they should have made clear to you that it could be trouble. I think though, that the squeaking is a problem with the laminate, not the site conditions. I sold Armstrong Grand Illusions to a customer about a year and a half ago and after we installed it (un-acclimated) the customer reported the exact same issue. I expedited a claim through my distributor, Armstrong sent out an inspector and authorized a replacement. I also checked with a couple of buddies in the business and they are familiar with this problem. I would ask your retailer to schedule a mill inspection. I wouldn't mention the lack of acclimation to the inspector though. Not because I think it matters, but because, in my experience, manufacturers will seize on any reason to deny a claim. I really think they leave the acclimation requirement in the instructions mostly for this reason. Dear Fletchy; Thank you for sharing Glue fix Armstrong laminte floor. Can you let us know what brand of glue you used? Did you only use the glue on the short end? or the long side too? Thank you for sharing. According to the logs, Fletchy hasn't been on the site since the day he joined and made that post so I am doubtful you will get an answer. That said, he did state he applied the glue per Armstrong's instructions. do all laminate squeak, I was thinking of installing in the basement... if i do should i secure the platon?
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