Comments on: Install Laminate Flooring Subfloor Flat and Level Requirement

By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer

Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:50:25 +0000

George
You are using the term “oil canning”waviness across the flat areas of the board and “bowing” a warp along the length of the board and ask if you can save it? While the short answer to can you save it? would be “unlikely”, there is a possibility you may be able to save it. First you need to determine why it has occurred. A few of the many things that need to be determined are: Is the laminate installed over concrete or wood? Is the subfloor flat? Is the relative humidity controlled? Is there proper expansion around all fixed objects? Is there a maintenance or other site related concern?
Good luck,
Terry

By: george l hundt

george l hundt — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:10:38 +0000

Can i save wood laminate flooring that oil canning and bowing up in numerous areas?

By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer

Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:39:13 +0000

If you are using the term “oil canning to describe a wavy or uneven appearance or distortion in the installed floor there could be a number of causes. This may be a perceived appearance caused by lighting or an actual distortion caused by an uneven floor or even expansion of the floor. The first thing you need to do is determine if the problem is real or perceived and then you can look at a potential correction. As far as injecting a product if you could find such a product, this could cause additional problems if the flooring suddenly adhered to the underlayment or concrete as a floating floor must be able to move. If the problem is the slab the proper way to correct is to remove the laminate and either grind or float the concrete depending if high or low. Good luck and if others have a suggestion please be sure to offer it.
Terry

By: Brandon Osenko

Brandon Osenko — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:56:59 +0000

I have a friend that has recently installed a floating laminate floor throughout his house. The house is built on a slab and he used a vapor barrier for concrete installation. The laminate construction included a foam base integrated into each slat. Upon completion of the install, he experienced a localized area of oil canning, likely from the concrete floor being uneven. Is it possible to correct this localized “void” without pulling up the whole floor and leveling the concrete? I don’t know if there is something that could be injected between the laminate and the vapor barrier to fill the void? Any assistance would be appreciated. Thank you!