Laminate floor - need advice

[Alexey]

I'm seeking an advice - may laminate floor have any up and down movement when somebody walks on it?
Is it something unavoidable by technology or just poor installation?
Thanks

[Deckacards]

Originally Posted by Alexey

I'm seeking an advice - may laminate floor have any up and down movement when somebody walks on it?
Is it something unavoidable by technology or just poor installation?
Thanks

if your substrate is not flat and has some dips..you may have a floor that flexes. Laminate floats on top..and if there is nothing underneath to support it..it bends.

[Alexey]

I was asked to look after my sister's condo renovation, which is almost done except the floor. I checked it today and noticed that in some places it kind of floating under my feet. Mostly it is negligible and can be tolerated, but in two spots it is too much.

The contractor tried to assure me that it is normal, my gut feels it is not.
I would expect him to make sure that the substrate was flat before the installation. Or is too much to expect?

[blackmamba]

By manufacturer standards, you are only aloud 3/16" over 8 ft of variability in the the subfloor. Anything great then that has the potential of the floor failing and not covered under warranty . Chances are its a bad install , and installer was unsure of proper subfloor prep required .. ie , sanding subfloor joints and or using self leveler to insure floor is within manufacturers specs..

[Fisherpeak]

I helped build around 80 houses here and NO that ain`t normal.
A well built new house does not sag or creek .It should be dam rock solid. And he should get to work.

[blackmamba]

Originally Posted by Alexey

I was asked to look after my sister's condo renovation, which is almost done except the floor. I checked it today and noticed that in some places it kind of floating under my feet. Mostly it is negligible and can be tolerated, but in two spots it is too much.

The contractor tried to assure me that it is normal, my gut feels it is not.
I would expect him to make sure that the substrate was flat before the installation. Or is too much to expect?

Especially in condos ,99% chances are the gyp-crete was un level .. I can count on one hand in 15 years of installing that the concrete was perfect .. if its really spongy to the feel then theres a good chance that the floor will fail over time , how long that time is depends on if its a high traffic area ..

[Nate_K1500]

There is special underlay for laminate flooring so it doesn't shift. Hell, some even comes with a foam back to help stop that kind of thing

[Got Juice?]

Originally Posted by Alexey

I'm seeking an advice - may laminate floor have any up and down movement when somebody walks on it?
Is it something unavoidable by technology or just poor installation?
Thanks

If you have more than 3/16" Deflection total (total amount of upwards and downwards movement) your click together joints WILL FAIL.

No this is NOT NORMAL.

And my business was floorcoverings for the last 30 years. (Of which I was an installer for 12)

The floor does not have to be level, but it does have to be FLAT!

Foam will take up to 1/8 +/- Deflection over 4' and not show much for movement.

If the floor seems 'pouchy' or moves more than 3/16"... get it fixed!

[Got Juice?]

Originally Posted by blackmamba

Especially in condos ,99% chances are the gyp-crete was un level .. I can count on one hand in 15 years of installing that the concrete was perfect .. if its really spongy to the feel then theres a good chance that the floor will fail over time , how long that time is depends on if its a high traffic area ..

LOL, you had ONE GOOD POUR?.... boy... I have yet to see one... I think they use a TOWEL instead of a TROWEL to smooth it over.

I especially like the guys that leave the 2x4 bottom plate in place at the door openings rather than cut it out.... talk about a bugger with CT... even with DITRA!

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by Fisherpeak

I helped build around 80 houses here and NO that ain`t normal.
A well built new house does not sag or creek .It should be dam rock solid. And he should get to work.

According to Mike Holmes ?

Grizz

[Mackinaw]

It will depend on the thickness of laminate the type of mechanical locking system the product uses the material the laminate is made of and the type of underlayment. The only way to be sure is to get a rep. from that product to look at it. Not all laminates are the same. Good luck have it checked.

Mack

[Alexey]

The contractor agreed to get it fixed. We'll see...
Thanks guys for comments.

[Grizzly Adams]

Not common any more with engineered joists, but in houses with lumber joists, not unusual to have a very uneven floor, especially if the framer didn't check for crown.

Grizz