Poorly laid Lvt?

Discussion in 'Vinyl / Impervious floor coverings' started by Untapped, Apr 30, 2020.

  1. Untapped

    Untapped New Member

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    Hi,

    After a bit of advice before we get the builder back. We had an extension finished around 6 months ago and builder also fitted the floor (mistake I know - in hindsight I should have got a floor fitter in, but they assured us they could do the job).

    The floor is floating rigid core vinyl plank floor from howdens. After install I raised that their was a lot of deflection / bounce on the floor and was told this would settle, also the short edges click like they are coming apart then reattaching.

    We are now starting to see 'ridges' on the short edges of a few planks, like the vinyl has come away from the backing (picture attached) as well as the odd raised corner.

    Appreciate that it's hard to say without seeing the flooring up close but I'm assuming these issues are due to the subfloor not being level, it was laid on concrete slab which was apparently screeded as opposed to the flooring being of poor quality, which is what I think the builder will initially try and say. The same flooring has been laid in our hallway which was plylined from a previous floor and there is no movement on that.

    Either way was still have some money retained from the build and our initial thoughts are to come to a comprimise with the builder, retain some of the money, live with the floor until it fails and replace in a couple of years (if it lasts that long), but wanted to get some opinions on what could be causing these issues aside from poor install.
     
  2. merit

    merit Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like it’s been laid on a un level subfloor and possibly wasn’t dry. Did the builder take moisture readings of the screed before he installed the floor?


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  3. Untapped

    Untapped New Member

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    Thanks for replying, didn't take moisture readings but the screen was laid a good 3 weeks to a month before the floor was laid (no idea if that makes a diffence). Thinking back I don't know what type of screed was used but I know it took a pounding before they laid the floor, seemed to crumble if anything dragged across it.

    I'm resigned to the fact the floor is coming up and being relaid (new flooring will need to be bought). What sort of ball park figure should I be looking at to have the floor rescreeded (thinking worse case) and planks re laid, the floor space is 4 by 6 meters by a professional in the SE london region (obviously i'm aware nothing will be happening over the next few months while lockdown is in place).

    Also, the builder / contractor likes to talk about floors settling - is this a bullshit builder fob off, or do floating floors take time to 'settle'.

    Finally - whats the concencious on floating vinyl plank? If / when I replace would I be better going for gluedown? Or waterproof lamiate (is that a thing? Sure i've seen it advertised)
     
  4. merit

    merit Well-Known Member

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    Floating vinyl floors are shocking. They are made for diy and builders that can’t do stick down. They aren’t suitable in direct sunlight and need to go on a floor that is flat as a pancake. The tolerance is around 4mm over a 2meter radius. I don’t think your screed would be dry after 3-4 weeks in fact I’m pretty sure it won’t be as even a thin 50mm screed takes 50 days to dry. How deep was the screed? It’s drys 1mm per day in good conditions. That’s means a weatherproof building! Some builders put the slab down before a roof has even gone on!! I can’t comment on cost but if your floor hasn’t been damaged there is a possibility you could uplift it all , prepare the subfloor correctly and re install the floor (stick down with adhesive)


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  5. Untapped

    Untapped New Member

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    Cheers, kicking myself for not doing enough research on floating vinyl, got sucked into the sales pitch when buying the kitchen. At least I now I have something if the builder tries some more bullshit. Not sure how deep the screed was, however the wife has just pointed out that they hosed down the screeded floor after the walls were plastered, probably didn't do the drying out process any good :rolleyes:.

    Half inclined to leave it down until it fully fails as we have two youngens who will probably destroy whatever we put down - wishful thinking we could get a year or more before it looks like utter rubbish?
     
  6. tarkett85

    tarkett85 Well-Known Member

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    The screed sounds buggered to me, it might be a full dig out and replace with you saying it was crumbling it doesn’t sound good. I would personally rip up and get a professional to do a proper survey to see how bad it truly is, they must be able to see underneath the flooring to test the quality of the sub-floor.


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  7. Rugmunching

    Rugmunching Well-Known Member

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    That looks like he hasn't slotted that in correctly and just whacked it.
    I've had this happen on a few clicks where I've had to take that plank back out because of me being heavy handed!o_O
     
  8. Spacey

    Spacey Super Moderator Staff Member

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    No or bad prep
    Not aclimatised for 48hrs
    No or incorrect expansion gaps left

    Its already failed and will only get worse

    Click is a dIY product that must be installed by a knowledgeable professional :rolleyes:
     
  9. Distinctive Adam

    Distinctive Adam Well-Known Member

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    The great unknown taking work away from the professionals that know.....again....bloody builders.
     
  10. Yiddo1982

    Yiddo1982 Well-Known Member

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    Hosed down the concrete floor

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  11. Hawthornmag

    Hawthornmag Member

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    Definitely uneven sub floor. builder at fault don't take no for an answer.
     
  12. dazlight

    dazlight Super Moderator

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    good practise that in some cases though.
     

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