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About John Michaels
Expertise
All questions pertaining to all indoor floor coverings regarding best products to choose, proper installation techniques, and proper maintenance techniques.

Experience
We are a nationwide floor covering inspection service. We inspect all types of indoor floor coverings in every city and town in all 50 States and in all the Provinces of Canada. We see where errors in choice of product, improper installation, and improper maintenance lead to complaints being registered and we are then called upon to inspect those products and issue certified reports indicating from where those complaint issues eminate. We have done this type of work for over 40 years.

Publications
Floor Covering Weekly & Floor Covering News

Education/Credentials
Carpet, vinyl, and hardwood manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, prior to just inspecting, and a division of our Company specifies proper floor covering choices for residential and commercial uses.

You are here: Experts > Style > Interior Decorating > Flooring and Carpeting > Tile to Carpet and Laminate transition

Flooring and Carpeting - Tile to Carpet and Laminate transition

Expert: John Michaels - 11/5/2009

Question
Good Afternoon,

I recently had tile and laminate installed in my home. in one bathroom the tile transitions to the old carpet. The installer I used just nailed a piece of the laminate transition trim over the gap he created when he cut the carpet. This does not work due to the different levels created by the higher tile surface with the backerboard. What is the solution for this? Also in the second bathroom the installer did the same thing with the tile to laminate transition. I also have noticed two tiles that were cut to fit a smaller space have cracked. How can I fix this?

Answer
Hi Mr. Ali-Khan;First if I were you, I would not fix those installation errors. Just in case you decide to try and fix something the installer did wrong and you do some damage that may requrie replacing things, you probably will be stuck for that damage. I would demand that the installer do the repairs and if the installer refuses to do the repairs, I suggest that you take
legal action against the installer. If you have to take legal action, MAKE CERTAIN YOU HAVE NO MORE VERBAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE INSTALLER AND/OR WITH ANYONE ELSE WITH WHOM YOU CONTRACTED FOR THE FLOOR COVERINGS AND INSTALLATION. EVERYTHING SHOULD BE IN WRITING, SENT BY CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A RETURN RECEIPT REQUEST, AND KEEP A COPY OF WHAT YOU SEND FOR YOUR FILES. I am NOT an attorney, so I can't give you any legal advice, but take my advice about not having any more verbal conversations. Hearsay evidence is usually not acceptable in Court.

The laminate floor needs a perimeter expansion space between the edges of perimeter planks and all perimeters, to allow for normal expansion and contraction. If the installer nailed something at the transitions that would inhibit normal expansion and contraction, then you may develop some problems that may mean some extensive repairs or replacement. Go on the internet and 'google' transition strips. One of the websites that should pop up is, <installersstore.com>
where you will find all types of transition strips both for even height transitions that allow for expansion and contraction, and uneven height transitions that allow for expansion and contraction. On that site you will find contact information which may be an 800#. Call it and speak with their technical services department where you can describe you transition areas and they can tell you what type of transition strips you should use and how they are to be installed.

The cracked tiles are also related to installation errors. The cracked tiles, mortar adhesive used to install those tiles, and if grouted, the grout, would have to be properly removed and replaced with new mortar adhesive, new tiles, and new grout.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to get back to me.

Cordially,

John Michaels

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