What has happened to my laminate flooring?
Question:I laid laminate flooring in a room 7 X 4 metres two years ago.
Gradually, over the last couple of months, two boards have separated (where they join end to end) by a full centimetre and now the same thing is happening to the boards beside them.
What did I do wrong?
Answers:
If the bottom part of the groove joint is broken that will allow movement in the board. How level was the floor you laid it on and what kind of underlay did you use ?
The most likely event is the floor wasn't perfectly even and the joint sat above a tiny ridge, this allowed the board to pivot when walked upon. Once the first crack developed it was just a matter of time before the boards move apart. If the underlay was over 3mm and not fibreboard then that too can allow too much movement.
If fibreboards were used did you lay them at 45 degrees offset to the direction of the planks as when to get a junction of joints both above and below you can also get the pivot effect.
Could they have gotten wet. I know laminate flooring ruins if it gets water standing on it.
Are they the 'click-lock' type or the glue type.
If they are the glue together type thisis quite common -constant walking weakens the joint and they seperate - just glue back together as if laying new and tap into place or use nylon straps to hold in place.
If it is the click lock type this is not so common but just might need tapping back into place - both types of flooring do seperate if subjected to constant people traffic.
Nothing to worry about and can be sorted quite easily
Sounds like the boards were not pushed together properly. A tiny gap between each board could lead to this.
Go to the edge of the room any try to "shuffle" the boards back together. Cut a small piece from any offcuts you have left and wedge it between the boards and the skirting board. This can be covered by fitting some beading around the edge of the room..
it will more than likely be expansion of the wood did you leave the gap at each end to allow for expansion as it tells you in the instructions there is no cure for this you will have to replace
you leave a small gap from the wall to the laminate, then you have to put cork in that gap, if you didn't you will have to remove the skirting board and do it,
you can get it in all floor centres,
or you can Just kick it back into place with your foot.
;-)
You just need to pack it tighter around the edges, the gap between the laminate and the skirting board.
And it carnt be hard up against the wall or skirting.
go to www.diynet.com they will know
During the winter months all wood floor shrink. Wait and see when it gets warmer if they return to their original shape before you do anything.
It sounds like your expansion gap was too large. How big did you make it?
You have not said what sort of laminated floor you have.
If it solid wood then its possible that the wood has shrunk.
If not it possible that the boards have moved in to the expansion gap. Take the skirting board off and have a look.
sigh
why didnt you check the level before you laid it.
you muppet
Diy skills take time..try again..good luck
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