Hello all, USA here. Just had laminate - Pergo Max - installed over concrete and it is spongy in spots - and gives a 'crinkled' sound when these spots are stepped on. I don't have a laser level and don't want to buy one to test the floor since the cheapest one I can find is about $100. Have a meeting with the installer coming up. My primary question is what is the most likely cause of this? I suspect I have an uneven slab or concrete. What are the chances of this and what could be another cause? Any and all responses would be greatly appreciated. Andy
Thanks for your response dazlight, The Pergo Max has an attached underlay. Floor was first covered with 6 mil plastic for moisture protection. Concrete slopes in two directions - 90 degrees from each other. The amount of uneveness is difficult to determine. Specs that I have from Pergo state 3/16 inch over 10 feet and also say 1/16 inch over 3 feet. For a slope, they verbally told me 1 inch deviation over 10 feet. Prob is that there is a double slope here. I can see a greater than 1/16 inch deviation over about 3 feet. Using a 6.5 foot level, with the middle of it in the middle of the high point, and the level set to show level (by the bubble on the level) there was about a 1/16 inch gap at each end of the level. However, when one end of the level was pressed down, there was about a 1/4" gap at the other end. Now, is that within spec or not. Too complicated for most people since there is a two way slope. At one corner of the room there is another slope where the area is spongy and the crinkle sound can be heard. Installer say the installation is good. Question remains if the laminate should have been installed, or not. I can't find a definitive answer. Another question is - what could have caused the spongy/crinkle problem areas other than an uneven floor. Additionally, are spongy/crinkly spots in 3 or 4 areas and acceptable situation. Thanks again dazlight
Floor is too un even IMO it's putting the laminate under stress - the crinkling sounds interesting tho, floor have any bitcimen?
Thanks for your thoughts Distinctive. Crinkling sound, I would assume, is from the 6 mil plastic sheet that is the moisture barrier - bunched up? Note that this laminate also has an attached underlayment. Don't know what bitcimen is - British term?
Certainly sounds like an uneven subfloor to me. Plastic is making the cracking noise I'm guessing. Could be a rip it up and start again with the subfloor imo
Because it's a click together laminate, and if it has to come up, it could be done in such a way that you would be able to reuse the materials once the sub floor has been leveled. If so the biggest cost will be the the labour and the leveling materials. There may also be some skirting boards to consider. As the floor was apparently fitted by an "experienced floor fitter" then he should have known what the leveling tolerances are and made the floor level prior to laying the laminate. This being the case it would not be unfair to ask him to take the labour charge on the chin or at least offer a reduced rate. I think the crinkled noises are probably the joints creaking.
Uneven subfloor is my inexperienced conclusion as well. Installation company says no. I'm fighting them. No one has yet to offer an alternative as to the source of the problem. If there is one, I would love to hear it. Thanks for your comment Glenn.
Thanks for your thoughts and response Angry. The installer did no measurements for the level of the floor before installation but insists there is no problem caused by the uneveness of the concrete. I am having the manufacturer of the laminate coming in to do an inspection. The laminate has a lifetime guarantee if properly installed over a floor that meets their specifications. If they can provide me with a statement that says that their guarantee is still good, then I am okay - but not really happy about the install. We will see what happens. Thanks again Angry - I'm angry also.
