Laminate Flooring Shifting... - DIY Home Improvement, Remodeling & Repair Forum

AlmostAble · 02-27-2009, 09:46 PM

Ok, so last summer I installed 8mm laminate flooring on a cement floor. I used a vapour barrier underlay. Floor is holding up well. I left a 1/4" gap around for expansion due to temperature.

The problem is, some of the slats are shifting. The flooring stated it did NOT need to be glued. But I'm thinking now that I should have.

Anyone have any ideas on how I can get the flooring to stay put?

Thanks in advance,

mrc59 · 02-28-2009, 03:18 PM

What laminate exactly?

Are the boards buckling (lying like this: /\/\/\ instead of _______)?

How did you fasten? Sleepers and staples?

Any discoloring?

Daryl in Nanoose · 03-01-2009, 08:40 AM

Sounds to me like you are having contraction and expansion issues which is due to the fact that it was installed over concrete and maybe that concrete gets quite cold . Did you bring the flooring in and open up the boxes a week before you laid it to climatise the boards?

jansonlol · 01-24-2010, 07:52 PM

It is not suitable to nail laminate flooring during the installation. I supose the problem of the flooring is due to improper installation or loosen locking system. You can some proffessional installer to check the flooring.

SJNServices · 01-25-2010, 12:30 PM

Unfortunately you will need to disassemble the floor (only three rows at a time and dont mix up the pieces) Reassemble using a good laminate glue on the T&G.

lightingking · 02-04-2010, 11:54 AM

Where do you live? Is it somewhere with significant freeze/thaw? That gap may not have been enough, especially if it's an older home.

ryecandy · 02-04-2010, 06:52 PM

Sounds like the laminate wasn't 'climatized' for a week prior install or some of the locking tabs may have been broken during the installation. That could have happened as a result of 'hammering' the boards together rather than 'clicking' them together and then gently tapping them.

If the shifting parts are every 5 or so rows you may be able to take up the floor up to the shifting joints, run a line of wood glue in the joint, wipe excess glue off and tape the top of the joint with masking tape to hold it together until it dries.

02-27-2009, 09:46 PM	#1
AlmostAble Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1	Laminate Flooring Shifting... Ok, so last summer I installed 8mm laminate flooring on a cement floor. I used a vapour barrier underlay. Floor is holding up well. I left a 1/4" gap around for expansion due to temperature. The problem is, some of the slats are shifting. The flooring stated it did NOT need to be glued. But I'm thinking now that I should have. Anyone have any ideas on how I can get the flooring to stay put? Thanks in advance,

03-01-2009, 08:40 AM	#3
Daryl in Nanoose Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nanoose Bay BC Posts: 689	Sounds to me like you are having contraction and expansion issues which is due to the fact that it was installed over concrete and maybe that concrete gets quite cold . Did you bring the flooring in and open up the boxes a week before you laid it to climatise the boards? __________________ http://www.geocities.com/edimprovement/

01-25-2010, 12:30 PM	#5
SJNServices Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pinon Hills, California Posts: 101	Unfortunately you will need to disassemble the floor (only three rows at a time and dont mix up the pieces) Reassemble using a good laminate glue on the T&G. __________________ My Website - SteveJNichols.com My Blog - Sticks & Stones

02-04-2010, 06:52 PM	#7
ryecandy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 6	Laminate Flooring Shifting Sounds like the laminate wasn't 'climatized' for a week prior install or some of the locking tabs may have been broken during the installation. That could have happened as a result of 'hammering' the boards together rather than 'clicking' them together and then gently tapping them. If the shifting parts are every 5 or so rows you may be able to take up the floor up to the shifting joints, run a line of wood glue in the joint, wipe excess glue off and tape the top of the joint with masking tape to hold it together until it dries. __________________ $200 Canadian Cash-BACK Mortgage - Visit HERE for promotion coupon and details! Canadian House Fix, Repair and Renovation - Follow a blog about my personal renovation experiences. Last edited by ryecandy; 02-04-2010 at 06:55 PM.

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02-28-2009, 03:18 PM	#2
mrc59 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Metro DC Posts: 10	What laminate exactly? Are the boards buckling (lying like this: /\/\/\ instead of _______)? How did you fasten? Sleepers and staples? Any discoloring?

01-24-2010, 07:52 PM	#4
jansonlol Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA Posts: 9	It is not suitable to nail laminate flooring during the installation. I supose the problem of the flooring is due to improper installation or loosen locking system. You can some proffessional installer to check the flooring.

02-04-2010, 11:54 AM	#6
lightingking Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canoga Park, CA Posts: 13	Where do you live? Is it somewhere with significant freeze/thaw? That gap may not have been enough, especially if it's an older home.

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