Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Water Damaged Subfloor *HELP*
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Derreck
11-21-05, 07:01 PM
Hello. I found this site through Google, and thought I would see if I could get an answer here.
History : We recently had a flood, water from the 2nd level down to the 1st level into the basement. We put an insurance claim through and a contracter was hired. The condo is about 20-25 years old, and the main level (living room) has a subfloor - made of press board (on top of plywood). The subfloor was never properly screwed down originally, every sheet has maybe 10 nails max in it. So when you walk on it, it creeks pretty bad.
After the flood, it got worse in spots. About 50% of the floor had water on it, and while drying it began to noticably swell in spots. Now, contracters have come and gone, we're still left with a creeky floor. Even with new pad and carpet, you can still feel and hear it.
We're being told it was replaced, but it still creaks. They say there is nothing they can do about it, its the floor joist that creak not the sub floor. I find this very hard to belive. You can almost stand on some boards and sort of wobble back and forth on it, it doesn't make a huge move but you can feel the board surf back and forth.
Question :
Is it possible that they put new a new subfloor on top of a old subfloor?
Is this a procedure that is acceptable?
How well should a sub floor be fastened?
Any insight on this is greatly appreciated. I'd like to have a bit more information in my head before I start to push this issue further.
Thanks in advance.
Derreck
History : We recently had a flood, water from the 2nd level down to the 1st level into the basement. We put an insurance claim through and a contracter was hired. The condo is about 20-25 years old, and the main level (living room) has a subfloor - made of press board (on top of plywood). The subfloor was never properly screwed down originally, every sheet has maybe 10 nails max in it. So when you walk on it, it creeks pretty bad.
After the flood, it got worse in spots. About 50% of the floor had water on it, and while drying it began to noticably swell in spots. Now, contracters have come and gone, we're still left with a creeky floor. Even with new pad and carpet, you can still feel and hear it.
We're being told it was replaced, but it still creaks. They say there is nothing they can do about it, its the floor joist that creak not the sub floor. I find this very hard to belive. You can almost stand on some boards and sort of wobble back and forth on it, it doesn't make a huge move but you can feel the board surf back and forth.
Question :
Is it possible that they put new a new subfloor on top of a old subfloor?
Is this a procedure that is acceptable?
How well should a sub floor be fastened?
Any insight on this is greatly appreciated. I'd like to have a bit more information in my head before I start to push this issue further.
Thanks in advance.
Derreck
Carpets Done Wright
11-21-05, 07:27 PM
Yes, it is possible they put another layer of plywood over the old. Anything is possible. Especially when somebody wants your money, and your not there to watch.
Once the particle board is tore out, yes, it is normal to place more plywood where the particle board once was.
It should be well fastened with glue and screws, to prevent squeaks. I screw 8 inches or so, in the field of a sheet of plywood, and on the edge seams, every 5 inches or so.
Your heart is telling you what they did. Don't second guess yourself. You saw how and what happened during the reconstruction of your subfloor.
Once the particle board is tore out, yes, it is normal to place more plywood where the particle board once was.
It should be well fastened with glue and screws, to prevent squeaks. I screw 8 inches or so, in the field of a sheet of plywood, and on the edge seams, every 5 inches or so.
Your heart is telling you what they did. Don't second guess yourself. You saw how and what happened during the reconstruction of your subfloor.
Derreck
11-22-05, 02:55 PM
Thanks CDR!
Anyone else?
Anyone else?