Creaking laminate flooring =( Please help

[jamesavery22]

A few weeks ago I poured some leveling compound and layed down pergo accolade. There are a bunch of creaks in the floor. I didnt completely cover my subfloor with the leveling compound, just the places that exceeded the 3/16" in 7' tollerance.

I tried drilling holes, screwing the laminate directly to the floor, the covering the holes up with the finishing putty, but there are just too many spots =(

Can anyone give me some advice other than ripping up everything and re-flattening the subfloor?

Im going nuts here =(

[Doug Aleshire]

jamesavery22,

pergo accolade is another animal all together, glueless, "floating" floor system. Numerous complaints are growing like wildfire. Manuacturer blames installer and then the Owners blame manufacturer. Warranties on these type of products are so restrictive that for all the money you pay, you get shortchanged on any repairs required. A licensed installer is always required to get any assistance if you have a problem.

Issues of complaints are;

Buckling floors
Squeaky floors

All of this is partly in application. Applying the leveling compound is essential to maintaining a sound base so any imperfections below this floorng will be reasonm for more problems than expected. Properly following the manufacturers instructions is imperative. In your case, applying screws to the floor is asking for more trouble. Bear in mind this is not a waterproof floor and it is highly, and I stress highly effected by high moisture content within the home. Then if you have any spills, they better get wiped up quick! Floating floors must be free to expand and contract based on interior temps/humidity. With the floor being screwed, you just might be getting buckling to occur, more so than if it wasn't screwed.

The squeaky floor is in part caused by imporperly level floors. The ends will pop and this is where most squeaking occurs.

You may be wise to replace this with something else as you can't be screwing this all over the place to quiet the floor. It won't work.

Hope this helps!

[jamesavery22]

Thanks for the help. Ive abandoned the whole screwing idea. Just going to pay the grand or so to have the floor professionally leveled later down the road. Dont have the time to get that done now so it will just be in the back of my mind. Luckily I still have extra pieces to replace the ones I destroyed by screwing it down =\ Kinda sucks but atleast I know what I have to do.

[sjc]

A case on behalf of all purchasers of Pergo Smartlock flooring has been filed in Oregon. The case stems from an alleged defect with the flooring causing loud creaking, snapping, thumping etc. sounds during normal usage. If you are experiencing this problem and would like to assist in our continued investigation please visit www.dmlaws.com and fill out a form.