Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Laminate floor - creaking/squeaking

I just had a professional install a floating laminate floor in my condo 4 days ago. It was 12mm planks, tongue in groove (no glue used), soundproofing laid underneath (3mm).

Problem: Once he left and I started to clean up, I found that most of the floor, especially in 'traffic areas' (and there's only me walking on it!) squeaks and in one area it creaks (appears to be more noticeable at night).

What options do I have with regard to stopping the floor from making this aggrevating noise? What should he be doing in order to stop this? I really don't want him coming up with excuses in order not to fix this, so if you can make me aware of what needs to be done in order to make this better (or why it's happening) I would appreciate it.

Thanks

First of all, since it was professionally done, YOU should not have to do anything but call them back and tell them to fix whatever the problem is....in a nice way of course :D

Did they let the flooring acclimate to your condo?

Do you notice any buckling?

I don't know about the soundproofing underlayment but does that include a moisture barrier in that underlayment?

Did they leave expansion gaps?

It really doesn't matter (it does but...) I would give them a call 1st.

Your subfloor may not be level.

Thank you for your prompt responses.

DIY Addict - no they didn't let the flooring acclimatize. I had concerns about that as everything I read said to allow at least 48 hrs in the room. They told me that their warehouse was heated, etc. and the planks were well sealed and it shouldn't be a prob. No buckling (yet, phew). Yes, it's supposed to have moisture barrier, it was a thin layer of cloth-like material. Expansion gaps around the rooms were left and covered with quarter rounds.

EM69 - I had considered that, but was told that the soundproofing material would 'iron out' any little divets in floor.

I really wish I could've done it myself, but it's such an expensive supply just to mess around with (being female and all). I may have broken a nail;)

Seriously though, I was told to try talcom powder for squeaking floors - what's your view on this? As DIYers, is it going to be hard to rectify this? Will the whole floor have to be lifted??

I will call them again (they didn't return my first call),

I really wish I could've done it myself, but it's such an expensive supply just to mess around with (being female and all). I may have broken a nail

it's very possible to do it yourself...being female and all (I did!...of course with the help of all the people here on the forum. They were the greatest!). Maybe next time around!:thumbup: Yeah, the nails would have to go!:(

They told me that their warehouse was heated, etc. and the planks were well sealed

The acclimation is supposed to be done where it's supposed to be installed at. Who cares about their warehouse! I could be wrong about that but that's what I understand. Heating will make the laminate expand so let's say they installed it in your condo with the laminate fully expanded and even left the gaps as required...what happens when it gets cold and the laminate shrinks?...you'll start seeing gaps through the quarter rounds right?

Don't know about the talcom powder but I'm sure someone will respond.

I hope those guys return your call! Let us know! I'm sure if they never call you back the guys here will help you solve your problem. Don't give up hope though and make those guys fix your floor! You paid them money to do the job right so get your money's worth outta them.

Their lack of acclimating the floor, to be in a hurry and slap it on the floor, ended up costing them a wasted day, pulling up and reinstalling your floor, with floor prep this time, also.

They did prep the floor to make the substrate flat, didn't hey.

The spec sheet in the cartons of laminate will tell exactly how and what needs to be done to have a lasting trouble free installation. Read those instructions, and you will see all the corners those HACKS, cut. :wall:

well, he came back (took a while and a few phone calls), but basically what is happening is that the laminate was cut close around door frame (in order to look good) and with it being a floating floor and not level between rooms (no they didn't check level of concrete floor before laying), the floor definitely moves more in that area (wish they had put more padding down there), therefore, planks 'rub' against door frame and make creaking noise.

He did say that they could come back and cut them, but the space will be a lot bigger and not look as good with the gap (I thought he had a good point). Quarter round cannot be used around the door frame because of the design of it. Nor can it be cut as it's a metal surround with wood fronts - that's condos for you (hope I described that right). And even with doing that, because the floor is uneven in that area, he couldn't guarantee that cutting the boards would get rid of problem (cowboys!):wall:

I got the sense he wasn't eager to bring someone out to lift floor and lay it again. Is there any kind of 'file' that I can try and use to file the board down a little in order to stop the creak? The space is close to none existent and I really don't want big gaps around doorway, unless there's something I can use to mask the cut and make it look pretty. Probably not a good idea, but I did use a little WD 40 on it and that helped!!

Can I use the talc suggestion to 'silence' the little squeaks that comes with the floor moving (floating floor). I just can't go through the upheaval that would happen in order to level concrete floor and redo floor. I don't intend to live there for more than another year or two!

Since the job wasn't done to manufacturers specifications, I would insist on a monitary refund!!! Those guys HACKED your floor in, and now are going to get off scott free for ripping you off! It's the same as stealing, in my book. :wall:

well, he came back (took a while and a few phone calls),

good:thumbup:


but basically what is happening is that the laminate was cut close around door frame (in order to look good) and with it being a floating floor and not level between rooms (no they didn't check level of concrete floor before laying), the floor definitely moves more in that area (wish they had put more padding down there), therefore, planks 'rub' against door frame and make creaking noise.

I'm not a pro about doors but can they use a reducer strip perhaps?...or square nose? What does the door look like? Is it the front door? Patio door?


He did say that they could come back and cut them, but the space will be a lot bigger and not look as good with the gap (I thought he had a good point). Quarter round cannot be used around the door frame because of the design of it. Nor can it be cut as it's a metal surround with wood fronts - that's condos for you (hope I described that right). And even with doing that, because the floor is uneven in that area, he couldn't guarantee that cutting the boards would get rid of problem (cowboys!):wall:

no guarantee huh?


I got the sense he wasn't eager to bring someone out to lift floor and lay it again. Is there any kind of 'file' that I can try and use to file the board down a little in order to stop the creak? The space is close to none existent and I really don't want big gaps around doorway, unless there's something I can use to mask the cut and make it look pretty. Probably not a good idea, but I did use a little WD 40 on it and that helped!!

I wouldn't be eager either...it's like doing another piece of crappy work for free. An they call themselves professionals? They should be more than willing and sorry but I guess you don't get a lot nowadays.
Why are they going to lift the floor and lay it again? Are they going to do something different? Maybe level the floor?

I would fire them, get my money back and find a better installer. Sorry...it's just IMO. I know it's a lot of hassle and work and stress, but I don't know how many times you'll have to call them again and (not your business and maybe it wouldn't bother you) but what about the people that will be living there later?

did you ever gwt the squeaks fixed?
I just had beautiful Armstrong (coastal living): laminate floating floor installed, and they creak!:madhell: