AboutJohn 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.
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.
I had new Wilsonart laminate floating flooring installed over my concrete slab in March, 2008. This was done trough
out my first floor condo by professionals. The condo is 23 years old and previously had carpet. On or about May, 2008 I began to experience crackling sounds on the floor throughout my home. I communicated by e-mail with the contractor numerous times until they sent out an inspector. The contractor told me that the inspector suggested that the cause was moisture because I don't have air conditioning!! I was on vacation for two weeks in Oct, 2008 at which time I closed all of my windows while I was gone. Upon my return the crackling sounds completely disappeared.
At that time I notified the contractor stating that the sounds disappeared and that I hoped it wasn't a seasonal issue.....returning the following spring.
Lo and behold, the sounds returned in May, 2009. I just (6/28/09) emailed the contractor today and got this response:
"It is due to
excessive moisture(in laundry area) and the drastic change of
weather(according to Eliab your house gets real hot without
airconditioning or air circulation).
Because of the fact that the noise went away for so long- then came
back around the same time of year kinda concerns me because I really
do think that the place must have too much moisture. If it has too
much moisture it won't fall under warranty."
I live in San Diego and most people do not have air conditioning. My laundry room is in my kitchen (which has laminate) but is no where near the bedrooms on the other side of the condo.
I've done a lot of research and see that "crackling" is a big issue with floating floors. Please let me know what you think and how I should proceed.
Thanks very much,
Steve G.
Answer Hi Steve;First I am answering your question before we officially receive it from allexperts.com. When we officially receive it I answer them as having answered this question before, which they pass on to you. So if you get that type of response, just ingnore it.
You should not clean laminate with water, so installing it in an area that is prone to high moisture content such as a kitchen, laundry room, dining area, etc., may not have been the prudent choice. It sounds like moisture causes the normal expansion of laminate, so those cracking sounds can be movement where the tongues fit into the grooves of the laminate.
Several things. If there is a moisture problem, ask the contractor if the subfloor (concrete), was tested for moisture content before any of your flooring was installed, and, if so, demand to see the certified moisture test results. If testing was done, and/or if the contractor does not show you results, I would suggest that you contact an attorney. If a floating installation, was a moisture resistant barrier (plastic type, foam, felt type, etc.) put over the concrete before the installation of the laminate. Note that I said moisture resistant, since nothing is moisture proof. What are you using to maintain the laminate? Are you certain there is no leak from any appliance? Are you certain there are no constant topical spillages occurring on the laminate, etc.
Since I can't see the laminate, I can only guess and give you some suggestions. You may want to contract on your own to have the laminate inspected by an independent floor covering inspector that can issue you a certified report. If you go that route, and can't find a certified floor covering inspector in your area, (not an installer, not another floor covering dealer, not someone who 'knows all about laminate flooring'), but an independent, certified floor covering inspector, please feel free to get back to me for a suggestion as to where to find one in your area.
