Comments on: Vapor Barrier Under Laminate Floor and Crawl Space http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/vapor-barrier-under-laminate-floor/ "Your How to Laminate Flooring Source." Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:40:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/vapor-barrier-under-laminate-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-190 Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:04:27 +0000 http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=80#comment-190 Karen Adding sound proofing dose help to remove the clacking sound often heard when walking on a laminate floor. If the manufacturer of your flooring product approves of the vapor barrier with a sound reduction system added it sounds like that would be the way to go. You can Google the manufacturer and find the phone number for their technical department and give them a call. If you can't find it let me know. Terry Karen
Adding sound proofing dose help to remove the clacking sound often heard when walking on a laminate floor. If the manufacturer of your flooring product approves of the vapor barrier with a sound reduction system added it sounds like that would be the way to go. You can Google the manufacturer and find the phone number for their technical department and give them a call. If you can’t find it let me know.
Terry

]]> By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/vapor-barrier-under-laminate-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-189 Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:00:49 +0000 http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=80#comment-189 Karen, It sounds like you have experienced quite a problem. Hopefully you have now reviewed the manufacturers installation instructions for the product you are working with. Make sure you are using the type of vapor barrier they require before going ahead with the re-installation. You say there is a mildew smell on the foam backing and ask if you can rescue the floor? Possibly you can but there is not a guarantee. If you spray or wipe down the foam on the back of the planks use very little moisture. If you use too much moisture you will only add to the problem. If you have a flat open area that is large enough to spread the planks out than do so. If not you will need to stack your planks in a way that they can dry for several days prior to installation. The main problem I see with stacking is that the foam should be dry before stacking. In a week or two you should find out if the peaks are going to go back down. If you perform the cleaning and drying in another areas such as a garage - prior to installation be sure to acclimate the product in the area of installation for several days before you install it. Terry Karen, It sounds like you have experienced quite a problem. Hopefully you have now reviewed the manufacturers installation instructions for the product you are working with. Make sure you are using the type of vapor barrier they require before going ahead with the re-installation.

You say there is a mildew smell on the foam backing and ask if you can rescue the floor? Possibly you can but there is not a guarantee. If you spray or wipe down the foam on the back of the planks use very little moisture. If you use too much moisture you will only add to the problem. If you have a flat open area that is large enough to spread the planks out than do so. If not you will need to stack your planks in a way that they can dry for several days prior to installation. The main problem I see with stacking is that the foam should be dry before stacking. In a week or two you should find out if the peaks are going to go back down.

If you perform the cleaning and drying in another areas such as a garage – prior to installation be sure to acclimate the product in the area of installation for several days before you install it.
Terry

]]> By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/vapor-barrier-under-laminate-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-188 Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:42:38 +0000 http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=80#comment-188 Brian With the engineered floor being buckled you will probably have no choice other than remove it prior to reinstalling the laminate. Laminate floor needs to be installed over a reasonably flat surface. When most laminate floor is installed over concrete you need to you need to use a vapor barrier. Installing floor over wood you usually only need to use a cushion. Check the manufacturers installation instructions for the product you are working with so you will no what their requirements. For most laminate flooring products the installation instruction can be found on line. Terry Brian
With the engineered floor being buckled you will probably have no choice other than remove it prior to reinstalling the laminate. Laminate floor needs to be installed over a reasonably flat surface. When most laminate floor is installed over concrete you need to you need to use a vapor barrier. Installing floor over wood you usually only need to use a cushion. Check the manufacturers installation instructions for the product you are working with so you will no what their requirements. For most laminate flooring products the installation instruction can be found on line.
Terry

]]> By: Karen http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/vapor-barrier-under-laminate-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-185 Karen Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:55:26 +0000 http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=80#comment-185 I forgot one more thing. Should we get the vapor barrier with the soundproofing on it or just the plastic? I forgot one more thing. Should we get the vapor barrier with the soundproofing on it or just the plastic?

]]> By: Karen http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/vapor-barrier-under-laminate-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-184 Karen Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:54:04 +0000 http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=80#comment-184 You have given a lot of great information. But, I have a question I don't think you have answered. We installed laminate floors throughout our entire home in Florida last year. We foolishly did not install a vapor barrier. We did not think we needed one with the padding that came attached to the laminate. WRONG! We now have peaking on many boards and the laminate has run under the baseboard molding. We removed the quarter round molding and cut away the extra wood. We have pealed back all the floor in the kitchen, sunroom, living room and dining room. There is a mildew smell on the foam backing and in the room now. Can we rescue the floor? We purchased vapor barrier and will wash the foam backing with a bleach water solution. Will the floor peaks go back down? Is there any hope for this project? We worked so hard on it and want it to last another 3-5 years when we will do some kitchen remodeling. Thanks, Karen You have given a lot of great information. But, I have a question I don’t think you have answered. We installed laminate floors throughout our entire home in Florida last year. We foolishly did not install a vapor barrier. We did not think we needed one with the padding that came attached to the laminate. WRONG! We now have peaking on many boards and the laminate has run under the baseboard molding. We removed the quarter round molding and cut away the extra wood. We have pealed back all the floor in the kitchen, sunroom, living room and dining room. There is a mildew smell on the foam backing and in the room now. Can we rescue the floor? We purchased vapor barrier and will wash the foam backing with a bleach water solution. Will the floor peaks go back down? Is there any hope for this project? We worked so hard on it and want it to last another 3-5 years when we will do some kitchen remodeling. Thanks, Karen

]]> By: Brian http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/vapor-barrier-under-laminate-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-183 Brian Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:43:12 +0000 http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=80#comment-183 I installed some laminate on a slab over a preexisting glued down engineered wood floor I put vapor barrier over the engineered wood. Since then the vapor barrier has trapped moisture in the engineered wood buckling it and cause the laminate to buckle. This has only happened in 2 places over about 1000 sq ft. Should I remove the vapor barrier or go down to the slab and relay the laminate on the vapor barrier? I installed some laminate on a slab over a preexisting glued down engineered wood floor

I put vapor barrier over the engineered wood. Since then the vapor barrier has trapped moisture in the engineered wood buckling it and cause the laminate to buckle. This has only happened in 2 places over about 1000 sq ft.

Should I remove the vapor barrier or go down to the slab and relay the laminate on the vapor barrier?

]]> By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/vapor-barrier-under-laminate-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-172 Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:25:26 +0000 http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=80#comment-172 Adam We hear this all the time that a plumber was unable to find any leaks and yet there is or has been a leak. Often the leak is a slow drip in a wall or under the dishwasher or sink. Sometimes a leak stops for some reason and the areas dries. Look under your dishwasher and run it through a full cycle checking for a leak as sometimes the only leak is while the dish washer is running. While it could be moisture from the slab the fact that it is making your cabinets soft makes me question that. If you don't find a dish washer leak my suggestion is to have an Independent Flooring Inspector perform testing to determine the cause. Inspectors such as my company The Weinheimer Group can be found for most states at NICFI.org Terry Adam
We hear this all the time that a plumber was unable to find any leaks and yet there is or has been a leak. Often the leak is a slow drip in a wall or under the dishwasher or sink. Sometimes a leak stops for some reason and the areas dries. Look under your dishwasher and run it through a full cycle checking for a leak as sometimes the only leak is while the dish washer is running. While it could be moisture from the slab the fact that it is making your cabinets soft makes me question that. If you don’t find a dish washer leak my suggestion is to have an Independent Flooring Inspector perform testing to determine the cause. Inspectors such as my company The Weinheimer Group can be found for most states at NICFI.org
Terry

]]> By: Adam http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/vapor-barrier-under-laminate-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-170 Adam Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:24:18 +0000 http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=80#comment-170 Two years ago, I had the kitchen completely ripped out and remodeled. Custom on-site cabinets (solid birch) were built directly on the slab. A vapor barrier was put down, and laminate wood floors were installed. The bottom cabinets have begun to mildew and rot. Some are so soft, I can push a finger through the wood. We have had plumbers out to test for leaks in the slab, and they were unable to locate a leak. I can look under the vapor barrier under the stove, and it is wet. Not moist....wet. Before the remodel, there was ceramic tile in the kitchen. Can changing from tile to laminate cause the moisture problem? Is the moisture under the vapor barrier escaping to the cabinets causing the mildew? I'm out of people to call about this problem, and no one can tell me why its happening. Please help! Thanks! Two years ago, I had the kitchen completely ripped out and remodeled. Custom on-site cabinets (solid birch) were built directly on the slab. A vapor barrier was put down, and laminate wood floors were installed. The bottom cabinets have begun to mildew and rot. Some are so soft, I can push a finger through the wood. We have had plumbers out to test for leaks in the slab, and they were unable to locate a leak. I can look under the vapor barrier under the stove, and it is wet. Not moist….wet. Before the remodel, there was ceramic tile in the kitchen. Can changing from tile to laminate cause the moisture problem? Is the moisture under the vapor barrier escaping to the cabinets causing the mildew? I’m out of people to call about this problem, and no one can tell me why its happening. Please help! Thanks!

]]> By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/vapor-barrier-under-laminate-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-163 Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:56:42 +0000 http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=80#comment-163 Melissa If you leave the baseboard in place you will have no choice but to run it up to the baseboard or slightly under the baseboard if elevated. If the floor fails due to vapor from the concrete it may not be covered by the manufacturers warranty for the vapor barrier was not properly installed. Also, if the baseboard is not removed you will still need to leave the required expansion gap for your laminate floor and this will need to be covered with a quarter round attached to the baseboard. If the floor was being installed in my own home I would chose to have it done properly with the baseboard removed and the vapor retarder properly installed. Terry Melissa
If you leave the baseboard in place you will have no choice but to run it up to the baseboard or slightly under the baseboard if elevated. If the floor fails due to vapor from the concrete it may not be covered by the manufacturers warranty for the vapor barrier was not properly installed. Also, if the baseboard is not removed you will still need to leave the required expansion gap for your laminate floor and this will need to be covered with a quarter round attached to the baseboard. If the floor was being installed in my own home I would chose to have it done properly with the baseboard removed and the vapor retarder properly installed.
Terry

]]> By: Melissa Waldron http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/vapor-barrier-under-laminate-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-161 Melissa Waldron Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:54:38 +0000 http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=80#comment-161 I have seen people install the vapor barrier and laminate flooring without removing the baseboards. Most recommendations for installing the vapor barrier suggest running it up the wall a couple of inches which will be covered when reinstalling the baseboards. How should the vapor barrier be laid if I choose to leave the baseboards in place? Thanks! I have seen people install the vapor barrier and laminate flooring without removing the baseboards. Most recommendations for installing the vapor barrier suggest running it up the wall a couple of inches which will be covered when reinstalling the baseboards. How should the vapor barrier be laid if I choose to leave the baseboards in place? Thanks!

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