	AllExperts > Flooring and Carpeting
	Search

About Chris
Expertise
20+ years flooring installation ...carpet,wood,tile and vinyl. Residential and commercial. I do not sell the products , just install what ever the shop / customer has purchased. I actually love seeing the finished project completed and it gives me great satisfaction to help others acheive that goal. If I don't know the answer I will say so, and then I will recommend another expert for you. I may even research the subject and answer to the best of my ability ...including links to my sources. I wish you all success Chris

Experience
20 years as an independant contractor

Education/Credentials
H.S. diploma A.S. agriculture Mt San Antonio JR. College

Past/Present Clients
Gene Bonas and Kevin Churnock Inc. Sheward&Son&Sons Century 21 Forte Const. Famous Footwear BOSE Corporation Homebodies General Contractor Perry Floors, Tri Cord Flooring T.J.'S Supplies

You are here: Experts > Style > Interior Decorating > Flooring and Carpeting > laminate flooring

Flooring and Carpeting - laminate flooring

Expert: Chris - 10/31/2009

Question
hi, what would cause my laminate flooring to dip on parts of the joints, ive used fibre bord underlay over floor bords ive left at least a 10 mil gap around the room, at 1st there was only 1 dip and now theres at least 5 and its only been fitted 2 days! dont want to have to take it all back up, what can i do ?

Answer
Michael,

Did you use a soft foam underlayment ? Here in the USA we use a pad or carpet underlay or a 2-3mm foam. It is dense enough to support the new flooring and provide sound dampening.

It will often eliminate the need for perfectly flat floors which leads me to my next question/s

If the floor is not flat it will dip here and there as you lay over peaks and valleys. With the added weight of foot traffic and use the dips will become more noticeable. Before the installation phase I use proper floor prep techniques to achieve flatness. If I miss a small area I can shim it with cardboard ...or roofing felt to get the floor proper during install.

At this point all you can do is live with it ...or take it back up and check for proper flatness of the underlayment.Maximum deviation is 3/16" in a 10 foot span/radius. That is about 3mm in 3 Meters. If it needs repairing you can use fast setting portland based cements made just for floor prep they dry in 15 -30 minutes and flooring can continue immediately following. I would imagine that the UK sells Mapei PLANI PATCH. I use that product often.

Let me know what you find,

Chris

Add to this Answer Ask a Question