Laminate Flooring Problems Information
Laminate subfloor moisture testing often overlooked yet most critical when installing laminate flooring. Concrete slab and wood subfloor both have moisture limits. Failure to skip laminate subfloor moisture testing often results in laminate floor failures. [Read more…]
Laminate floor peaking, buckling, cupping, words often used to describe peaking, though somewhat different problems. Each of these conditions is coupled with excessive moisture, and often installation related concerns. In this article we will discuss laminate floor peaking and touch on the buckling and cupping of laminate floors. [Read more…]
Crawl space conditions are an important consideration when installing laminate flooring, engineered or solid wood floor. A crawl spaces must have a proper vapor retarder ground cover spread over the soil. A crawl space must also have proper cross ventilation and no dead air spaces. Without the appropriate vapor barrier and cross ventilation, crawl space moisture will attack the underside of a subfloor and enter into the laminate flooring core. Excessive crawl space moisture may result in cupping, bulging, or swelling of the planks or blistering at the surface of the plank. [Read more…]
A vapor barrier under laminate floor, required for most laminate flooring installed over concrete. This vapor barrier which is actually a vapor retarder helps to keep moisture vapor from entering into the laminate floor. Concrete substrate must be tested in accordance with the flooring manufacturers instructions. Excessive moisture can be found in a concrete slab of any age. Not all manufacturers require the same tests and not all floors are the same. All-in-one laminate underlayment cushions with a vapor retarder attached are available. [Read more…]