Common Floor Problems Explained...
Carpet | Hardwood | Laminate | Ceramic Tile | Vinyl Tile | Linoelum
Laminate...
Buckling
Buckling is a condition where the laminate is lifting off of the subfloor. Buckling usually appears one to six months after completion of the installation. This is typically an installation error, but can sometimes be a site related condition.
Cupping or Dishing
Cupping is an appearance where the edges of the planks are higher than the center. This condition can affect an entire floor or just a few planks in one confined area. Once a laminate floor is cupped it must be replaced, it is not repairable.
- Cupping is a site related issue due to a moisture imbalance.
- This condition can be corrected before installation in many cases making it an installation error.
Crowning is the opposite of cupping. With crowned flooring the center is higher than the edges. Crowning is extremely rare and almost never seen.
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Cupping
Cupping
Cupping
Surface Scratching
If scratches are not present before the floor is installed they will never be considered as a manufacturing issue. Many manufacturers have 25 year and even lifetime warranties which will always exclude scratching. No manufacturer warrants scratches. Make sure you fully read the fine print in the warranties. Most common causes of scratching are:
- Damage done by the installer
- Lack of felt chair pads
- Normal use
- Items pilled or dragged across the surface
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Surface Scratches
Surface Scratches
Chipping or Denting
Chipping or denting that is not immediately noticed when removed from the carton will not be honored as a manufacturing issue. The most common causes of chips that were not present at the time of installation are caused by the homeowner or installer.
- An installer may fracture the surface but the chip does not appear until normal traffic and cleaning break it free.
- A second cause is a homeowner dropping or dragging an item on the floor.
Joint Gaps
Gaps at joints in laminate flooring are can have many causes including:
- Site related
- Installation related
- Environmental causes.
It is helpful to know when the condition was first notice along with the site conditions at the time.
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Joint Gaps
Joint Gaps
Color/Sheen Variation
Variation in color or gloss level (sheen) is always a manufacturing. This is one of the few things covered under their warranty.
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Missing Finish