Laminate floors crackling

[Jejuca]

We just had laminate floors installed throughout our house. It crackles in many places around the perimeter and in some places 6 to 12 inches out from the baseboards. They took the baseboards off during installation and reinstalled them so there isn't any quarter round. The installers tell us it's normal. It sounds awful. For those of you who have laminate - is it normal?

[MrGolf]

No it's not

[CFrance]

I suggest calling the manufacturer of the laminate and ask them the same question. You might get a different response than you did from the installers.

[Chatbrat]

Sloppy installation we have 1/4 round no carpet in our house--did they put a plastic under lay?the boards are supposed to float

[retiredguy123]

Quarter round molding is often confused with shoe molding. Most flooring installations use shoe molding. However, I don't think the molding or lack thereof has anything to do with the crackling floor.

[Maddie2009]

Sloppy installation we have 1/4 round no carpet in our house--did they put a plastic under lay?the boards are supposed to float

Agree with the above. Don't be easy on the installer. They usually want to get by or get away.

[alanmcdonald]

I am an ex Shaw Floors employee. It has nothing to do with molding or lack thereof. If the floor is not perfectly level a floating floor like laminate often makes noise when stepped on. It is movement of the locking system. Believe it or not, we had this with the laminate installed at Shaw headquarters.

[saratogaman]

We have had laminate floor in the entire house for 3 years -- no noise whatsoever. Sounds like an installation problem on yours.

[Jejuca]

Thank you for all the responses. We just called the floor manufacturer - Nuvelle - and they are going to call us back. Every corner as well as most of the perimeter crackles. Your responses have really helped.

[villagetinker]

If they did not install the foam isolation barrier, I can easily see you having a crackling sound. The concrete floor probably had some dust and debris, which is now trapped between 2 hard surfaces, and when you walk on it, it is either moving or crumbling, either will cause noise. Do you remember if the isolation barrier was installed? If this was installed, then quiz the flooring manufacturer to see if the correct barrier was installed. I installed these types of floors myself several times back up north, and as I recall the warranty was void if I did not use the correct barrier.
Hope this helps.

[Jejuca]

They did install a barrier. And they seemed to be careful about keeping the area clean by sweeping and vacuuming. According to the owner and the installers the crackling is normal around the baseboards. I didn't think it was and now I know it wasn't.

[ahayward65]

We just had laminate floors installed throughout our house. It crackles in many places around the perimeter and in some places 6 to 12 inches out from the baseboards. They took the baseboards off during installation and reinstalled them so there isn't any quarter round. The installers tell us it's normal. It sounds awful. For those of you who have laminate - is it normal?

May I ask where you purchased it? I am thinking of having it done so would like to avoid your problem.

[Wiserbud47]

A different problem with installing laminate flooring. The installer tested the concrete slab and said spots were too moist to lay the floor that day. Setup fans and AC to dry it up so it could be completed. Had to reschedule installation. Anyone have this problem?

[Jejuca]

Interesting about the concrete being wet. I don't think they tested the slab. How did they do it?
I don't want to identify them yet because according to the owner they will be fixing it to our satisfaction. We will see.
We have disputed the amount on our credit card and have been credited back the money so we now have that as leverage.
And, we will be getting a second professional opinion.
Also, thank you for the suggestion about calling the manufacturer. I have called twice - so far, no call back from the rep but I will keep pursuing that.
Thanks again for everyone's help.

[Jejuca]

Update - I got a call back from the manufacturer and they were very supportive. We sent a video of the crackling floor. They assured us it was normal and would contact the flooring company. The flooring company installers came today and as soon as they walked in prior to doing anything they said they knew what the problem was - sticky paint on the bottom of the molding. They removed some of the molding, sanded it again, and replaced it and lo and behold - no more squeaking.
So, we are happy campers - just wish contractors would just fix the problem rather than make excuses. Withholding a payment is not a pleasant experience for us.
Anyway, thank you all for your support - and suggestions.

[villagetinker]

Thanks for the update, never would have guessed that solution...

[Wiotte]

Update - I got a call back from the manufacturer and they were very supportive. We sent a video of the crackling floor. They assured us it was normal and would contact the flooring company. The flooring company installers came today and as soon as they walked in prior to doing anything they said they knew what the problem was - sticky paint on the bottom of the molding. They removed some of the molding, sanded it again, and replaced it and lo and behold - no more squeaking.
So, we are happy campers - just wish contractors would just fix the problem rather than make excuses. Withholding a payment is not a pleasant experience for us.
Anyway, thank you all for your support - and suggestions.



If an oil based paint were used on the trim, it would not have remained "sticky" . Trim paint should always be oil based.


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[Jejuca]

Just reread my last post - the manufacturer assured us that the crackling WAS NOT normal! Sorry if I confused anyone.
It was latex paint as requested by the installers. We think they rushed the job at the end - they let the paint dry for less than 30 minutes. My husband questioned them about the drying time and they said it was normal.
We are concerned about having problems once the air is off (probably not until November) and it is a little more humid in the house. Hopefully we won't have any problems.

[Wiotte]

Just reread my last post - the manufacturer assured us that the crackling WAS NOT normal! Sorry if I confused anyone.

It was latex paint as requested by the installers. We think they rushed the job at the end - they let the paint dry for less than 30 minutes. My husband questioned them about the drying time and they said it was normal.

We are concerned about having problems once the air is off (probably not until November) and it is a little more humid in the house. Hopefully we won't have any problems.



Latex paint on wood will remain tacky forever. Especially on a slab floor in a high humidity environment .


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[photo1902]

Latex paint on wood will remain tacky forever. Especially on a slab floor in a high humidity environment .


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What???? I've used nothing but latex on numerous cabinets, mouldings (both base, crown and quarter round) for years, and have never had a problem. First I've ever heard of your experience.

[Cobh521]

There have been about two neighbors of mine that this happened to. It was a manufactured defect in the flooring. Their floors were replaced

[Investment Painting Contractors]

If an oil based paint were used on the trim, it would not have remained "sticky" . Trim paint should always be oil based.


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As the Painter who started Investment Painting 51 years ago I must Disagree. When the Federal Government started phasing out most solvent based paints around 25 yrs ago Sherwin Williams and other manufactures developed various WATER BASED ENAMELS. Not to be confused with LATEX which is a brand name such as KLEENEX. PRO CLASSIC WATER BASED ENAMEL is used on most of the trim in the Villages. The installers in the case of the flooring rushed the drying time. Water based paint will not remain sticky if properly applied. LEN The retired half of Investment Painting.

[autumnspring]

If an oil based paint were used on the trim, it would not have remained "sticky" . Trim paint should always be oil based.


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I too like oil based paint but, it has mostly been taken off the market due to ????? EPA regulations. I think you can still find RUSTOLEUM but it is a high oil paint-which never gets hard.

My experience-solvent based varnish is gone from the stores. The water based, latex stuff they sell does not flatten like oil based varnish and will surely raise the grain on unfinished wood. You can still buy marine varnish at like
$20-$30 a qt.