Flooring advice

Discussion in 'Just Talk' started by Rob1975, Oct 28, 2017.

  1. Rob1975

    Rob1975 New Member

    After a recent flood downstairs. I had all new engendered wood flooring installed, instead of the hard wood flooring previous. This included a silver backed underlining. All was well until we started to hear "cracking" noises several months later. Its got so bad that I contacted the store. They arranged for the manufacturer to inspeact the flooring. The report came back as follows:

    Flooring:

    It was noticed in certain areas of the room that the boards had not been sufficiently staggered the required 300mm between adjoining rows, and that some staggering of boards were as little as 130mm - 200mm. Failure to stagger the boards in each row, the required 300mm will cause the boards to lift and creak from the pressure that they are under.

    Expansion Gaps and Cork Expansion Strips:

    It had been verbally confirmed with our TLO that a 12mm expansion gap had been left at the perimeter edges of the rooms, but he was unable to physically check. We state on our instructions to leave a 12mm expansion gap around every perimeter edge which, upon completion of the flooring must be filled with cork expansion strips. Failure to leave the required expansion gaps will cause the flooring to become trapped at perimeter edges and allow excessive freedom of movement to occur. It was confirmed that no cork expansion strips had been used in any of the perimeter expansion gaps. We state on our pack instructions to insert cork expansion strips into perimeter gaps upon completion of the flooring. Cork expansion strips are essential to control the natural movement of the flooring during natural expansion and contraction of the flooring and during normal domestic foot trafficking. Failure to use the cork expansion strips will allow the flooring to move excessively resulting in boards lifting and gapping along the length and width joints.


    Moisture:

    Moisture readings were taken using a protometer moisture meter which is calibrated at Head Office. Moisture readings taken ranged from 9% - 12% which are high. Moisture readings between 5 -10% are acceptable to install a wood floor but any higher will inevitably attack the wood causing the boards to lift, cup, and expand uncontrollably.

    Because of this, the manufacturer has stated that I should take this matter up with in the installation company.

    should the installer had taken moisture reading prior to laying the flooring(there was a 90 day gap in laying the new floor)

    Any advice would be great.

    Thanks.
     

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