Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Laminate Floor Squeaks

I installed an IKEA laminate floor a year ago in our condominium unit (over concrete) and followed all the instructions regarding the installation of the vapor barrier and the underlayment. The problem I have is that the whole thing now pretty much squeaks badly as soon as the relative humidity seems to go up a bit (that's my theory anyway). Anyone heard anything about that (or better how to fix it)?

Usually when this is happening the floor is tight to a wall or some other verticle surface. Try to lacate where the squeak(s) is coming from, remove the wall base, and if you find that the floor is tight, cut it back. You can use a utility knife, chisel, and framing square to cut it. Score the floor with the knife and keep cutting until you're about 1/3 the way through and then chisel the rest. Be VERY CAREFUL! It's really easy to cut yourself or veer off into the middle of the floor.

A dehumidifyer wouldn't hurt eigher.

Scott www.stephensfloor.com (http://www.stephensfloor.com)

Thanks Scott,

Unfortunately, the squeaks all occur at the tongue and groove joints and not particularly next to any vertical surfaces. The floor also squeaks in the winter time when it`s shrunk a bit so I don`t think in-plane stress would cause the problem. I guess my only option is the dehumidifier.

- Robby

That sounds really strange. Is this a glueless system?

Scott www.stephensfloor.com (http://www.stephensfloor.com)

Not at all. I used the glue they were selling. I put enough so that I had to wipe it off (most of the times). I put down the vapor barrier and I used the 1/2" wood fiber underlay as well as the 1/8" foam underlay (to make sure that would not cause noise problem below). I talked to the IKEA guy and he said he never heard of that either (he installed one at his home and he has some squeaks himself but they occur at the vertical surface as you mentionned before).

I have no clue what I could have done wrong. I left the planks inside the condo 3-4 days before installing them and followed the instructions throughout.

I'm wondering maybe the fact that I used the two layers of underlay (althought they reccommended using both for more sound absorption) is not making the floor too soft, therefore allowing the joints to bend too much and making the tongue slip within the groove.

I`m clueless,

- Robby

Well, I'm stumped. I will say that what you've got could be a factory defect, which would make the manufacturer liable. Try to get the rep out to take a look at it.

Scott www.stephensfloor.com (http://www.stephensfloor.com)