Either I'm going insane or my 2 year old LVT/concrete floor is rising all around my flat - help!

Discussion in 'Vinyl / Impervious floor coverings' started by Jh197, Jun 28, 2020.

  1. Jh197

    Jh197 Member

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    Hi all,

    I'm hoping you can help me as I dont think my wife can watch me walk around my flat with my foot rubbing against the flooring any longer.

    2 years ago we had karndean fitted by a professional. We live in a block of flats with a concrete floor that wasnt at all flat.

    My wife and I were also in the States whilst it was being fitted so I only saw the finished result however the fitter mentioned that it wasnt possible to fully level with self levelling compound as the concrete floor was extremely uneven in some areas.

    Anyway fast forward to the last month and we have began noticing areas of the floor that have risen..and by risen I mean that the LVT hasnt lifted, it's like the concrete itself is inflating beneath.

    Now I'm not sure how much of it we are only just noticing now but I'm extremely worried about what might be the cause of this as we are noticing larger (but still isolate) differences across the floor.

    Could the summer ambience have anything to do with this? Is this normal? At what point should we start to worry?

    Our central heating also runs underneath and the areas under the pipes have always heated when the radiators are on almost like we have underfloor heating. I'm unsure if this is relevant or abnormal but I'm pretty clueless as to what's happening.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks!!
     
  2. merit

    merit Well-Known Member

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    I’ve never seen concrete expand but I have seen a lot of very badly screeded Subfloors that can have high and low humps and bumps of anything you to 20mm. I’m not sure how they get away with laying some of these subfloors. Probably because it’s usually covered with carpet and underlay


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  3. Jh197

    Jh197 Member

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    Do you know what specifically about the screed job would have been bad ? I'm going to message the installer today but I'm sure he willl tryfob me off so ideally I'd have some knowledge

    This is completely insane for a job done in November 2018 right ?

    I'm also hearing cracking noises under one or two boards on opposite sides of the flat. It sounds like smashed glass?
     
  4. merit

    merit Well-Known Member

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    It’s probably blown. Maybe wrong product choice for your subfloor or badly mixed/poured


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  5. Jh197

    Jh197 Member

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    Great. So considering the cost of installation included the products to be supplied by him, is this something that he should be liable to fix?
     
  6. Rugmunching

    Rugmunching Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like its blown if its cracking under foot.
     
  7. dazlight

    dazlight Super Moderator

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    Did he plywood the floor then prime it ?
    Sis he use a screeding compound over the plywood.?
     
  8. Jh197

    Jh197 Member

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    Not plywood. Put levelling compound straight over the existing concrete and I believe a DPM.
     
  9. Spacey

    Spacey Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Definitely sounds like it's blown

    Most likely Incorrect preparation
     
  10. dazlight

    dazlight Super Moderator

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    Does it sound hollow when you tap it.
    Does sound like it’s blown. What Dpm did he use ?
     
  11. mjfl

    mjfl Well-Known Member

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    You need to find out what exact products were used and in which way (as in sequence)
     
  12. AngryAndy

    AngryAndy Well-Known Member

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    My guess would be that he used a mix cement based and anhydrite causing a ettringite sulphate attack which causes expansion.
     
  13. mjfl

    mjfl Well-Known Member

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    In other words the incorrect products.
     
  14. Jh197

    Jh197 Member

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    Hi all.. Sorry for the delay.

    Got into contact with him and he is coming to inspect tomorrow. He thinks it sounds like a moisture problem but I'm not sure if that's just a way of covering himself?

    I can ask what materials he used tomorrow. But he is likely going to lift one of the problem areas to see what the issue is.
    Is there anything else I should be looking out for?

    Would a moisture issue be the buildings fault or is that an installation error?

    Really worried this will turn into a job that requires redoing it all and who is liable.

    Thanks
     
  15. merit

    merit Well-Known Member

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    When did the problem start?


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  16. Jh197

    Jh197 Member

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    Can't say for sure but in the last 2 months I've noticed certain areas swell and the floor level change.. Only noticed because I would get slightly off balance when walking

    3 separate rooms have a small toe sized spot that feels like crackling sounds underneath but it isn't EVERY time I step on it.. Almost needs to be at right angle
     
  17. Jh197

    Jh197 Member

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    Yes!! It feels like the noise difference between knocking on a stud wall vs concrete in the area that has the cracking noise
     
  18. merit

    merit Well-Known Member

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    Any chance of a burst pipe in the concrete? Or a leak that’s got under the floor? Doesn’t take much to blow it. I had a job where the velux roof window was leaking and it got under the floor and lifted all the levelling compound.


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  19. Jh197

    Jh197 Member

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    Is there a way to differentiate between an external cause I.e a burst pipe versus a floor that has high moisture?

    If there was a burst pipe I would assume the flat below us would've called.

    We had new pvc piping installed into the concrete prior to the flooring install as it didn't have GCH. We have a concrete balcony.. Is there a chance the heavy rain could've wet that and impacted it?

    I also just spoke to my wife and she remembers noticing a slight change in level on the floor by her side of the bed months before this huge change.
     
  20. Jh197

    Jh197 Member

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    Tomorrow I'll be able to take photos when he removes an affected area. I think the installation was

    DPM, latex, and karndean glue, karndean. I'll ask for the specific materials too.

    Is there anything else I should ask? If
     

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