The Upstairs-Downstairs Connection: Picking the Right Stair Treatment. Have not spoken to the new manger or gone to the other store where my previous friend is to see the response on the Cali. However, what is normal movement for a floating floor is that which occurs after it is installed over a flat surface. My real complaint is mostly about not being informed by the seller and experts to the potential of an outcome from what is a non level concrete floor, and to the cost of guaranteeing that it will be level and to feel it is solid but not bouncy. Yes very much like walking on spongy ground. Thank you for the questions and comments. Houzz Tour: Modern Houseboat in Vancouver, B.C. If floating floors are installed without a proper moisture barrier between it and the subsurface, accumulated moisture from water vapor or water damage can cause edge-warping or buckling. The kitchen floor is concrete slab above grade. Individual planks, boards, andin rare casestiles attach to each other, not to the subfloor. I've duct taped the flooring to the vent so that air can no longer get under there and the problem isn't near as bad. Even if you left enough space, it could have expanded. He then pulled up a number of the 5" planks and used a self leveling compound in that area. Did lots of research and then the concrete leveling and grinding down, but what I thought would be acceptable low spots have turned out not to be. I have a 2008 Coachmen Captive 288 FKS and the floor from the front entrance door to the sofa slide out visually gives and feels spongy underfoot. However if the brake was pumped while braking, I would get my full brake force. Do I have to pull the linoleum up to find of the flooring is rotted or is there another fix? The installer did do some leveling. It was spongy to the point the pedal went to the floor and it was taking about 5 times longer to come to a stop. If the sub floor is 1/2 inch thick and it should have been 5/8 or 3/4 of an inch thick, then you may get sponginess or sagging. This type of flooring system features tongue and groove joints on the sides of each floorboard that fit very nicely into each other. bamboo flooring anyone use costco Strand Woven Bamboo by Wellmade? I though it was a temperature thing causing the bubble, but it may have been b/c there was cold air getting blown under it. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Forgot to check for bouncyness as I went. So yep...that's a problem that only filling the low spots can alleviate. Its very subtle and only noticeable when you walk on the seams of the flooring. Well the flooring overlapped the vent by about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. The tile was ripped up prior to installation of the engineered bamboo. Nailing the long beam to the joist will add to its strength and help to support the floor above. This helps give the floor a more solid feel and sound and removes that spongy underlayment. This issue can be minimized with a perpendicular beam. Check out these ideas for matching your staircase floor treatment to upstairs and downstairs flooring, Corner sinks, floating vanities and tiny shelves — show us how you’ve made the most of a compact bathroom, Whether you sway toward South Pacific or float to a moodier blue, turquoise will land you on the shores of happy, Evoke Laid-Back Style With Bamboo Curtain Rods, Houzz Tour: Bamboo Gardens Inspire a Serene California Home, Kitchen of the Week: Bamboo Cabinets Hide Impressive Storage, Houzz Tour: Big Bay Views Buoy a Seattle Floating Home, Your Floor: An Introduction to Solid-Plank Wood Floors. Rather, it is a method of installing a floor. Right now we have carpeting over that. Floating bamboo floor failed....need to pull up and start over! I laid down a Pergo Laminate Wood Floor and it feels very wierd. should i use 6" or 8" plank tiles for a balcony 18'x10'. Feels like the floor is moving anxiety symptom can precede, accompany, or follow an episode of nervousness, anxiety, fear, and elevated stress, or occur ‘out of the blue’ and for no apparent reason. No way to answer your question without inspecting the floor. Surface water can also cause warping or buckling; water should never be used to clean a floating floor. Was your flooring installed over a flat surface? Is this to be expected with floating floors? In fact when I watch my wife walk on it, I can see it bend and move where her feet are. In the UK, most modern building have 8' x 4' chipboard sheets screwed into the joists, and the "floating" floor lays directly on these sheets. this means that it has the capability of moving below your feet. Learn more. No way to answer your question without inspecting the floor. It does sound like concrete typically would have low and high spots that could end up giving a feel of "variable give" depending on location on the floor, although maybe no different than a plywood sub floor. Floating floor is not a type of flooring. They may attach with glue or by snapping together. Thus, your subfloor has low spots and the laminate “floats” above the floor until you step on the low spots and your weight pushes laminate down to make contact with the subfloor. Homes on raised foundations Sorry to put you through all the detail. This introduced a certain amount of bounce. That's the theory behind them – the look of a timber floor, but feels softer to walk on. There is some give but not a trampoline effect. Everything has been fine except about a month ago I noticed that the floor near the front door of the trailer is a little soft right at the entrance. A laminate floor is laid on top of an underlay and is not, and absolutely should not be fixed to the sub-floor as this will do more harm than good. Any suggestions? Each joist will need one long parallel beam, not several separate wooden lengths. Plywood, ceramic tile, linoleum floors, and concrete are no problem for a floating floor installation. It still dips a bit but it could be b/c it was being held up for the last week by an air pocket. We are laying 120 m2 over 2 levels, im just worried that it will have a spongy feel under foot. Yeah, it's normal. Most floating floors will feel "different" when walked on. However, these floors can be subject to bounce if the subfloor is not perfectly level. It is common to feel vertical movement, or a spongy feeling when walking across a floating wood floor. Last two posts are right on the money here! Not laterally, but vertically. This is a settling process, and the bonds of the glue break or expand as they settle, growing accustomed to weight being put on the floating floor. Show More. Thanks for the replies. Some people, including myself, find the experience unacceptable. Answer Save. If you have too much flex, the "click lock" mechanism of the floating floor can break. I'll be the first to admit, that is not always achievable to perfection, with some concrete slabs, without $1000's of floor prep. Trying to decide between carpet and floating engineered hardwood and have been reading horror stories about floating floors that feel like trampolines. For the best support, the beam should be supported by two posts at the endpoints of the beam, such as flush against a wall. Ceramic tile like real hard wood is not an option as we can't place the proper subfloor in kitchen due to appliances and I'd really love to avoid vinyl tile. It is a great option for when you need to install over radiant heat systems. I think it really depends on the flooring type too. My neighbor has the same thing. With an electronics degree and more than 10 years of experience, she applies her love of gadgets to the gardening world as she continues her education through college classes and gardening activities. A large defining point of a home is its flooring, from carpet to laminate types. I let my uncle look at the car as he is a mechanic who has had training working on Mercedes. If the sub floor is not strong enough to span the distance between the floor joist, trusses or supporting beams, then sponginess may occur. No one likes the feel of a supposedly solid floor bouncing or sagging underfoot. Often this is the primary reason for excessive give. Even when they estimated or installed it, no one really took a 4 foot or 6 foot level to the floor. Some people, including myself, find the experience unacceptable. Many installers are not installers and consumers suffer for this! Thanks all. This is one of the most common of floating floor … Reducing bounce on concrete subfloors requires preparation before the panels are installed. Homeowners can place a level at various points along the subfloor to verify that the subfloor has a constant, flat surface. Everything I have read says it should be a floating floor, but it seems so squishy. We are getting renos done and I am looking at getting the Swiss Krono aquastop 14mm floating floors. Floating floors should not have any flex in them at all. If excessive movement is present, which can be confirmed by simply pressing the floor with ones foot to visually see the floor move, the movement may cause the edges of each laminate … I just had engineered hardwood floor installed in my house about a few days ago. For the flooring industry, that is ¼ inch in 10 feet or ⅛ inch in 6 feet. If you care about the feel of the floor glue down is an excellent option. We thought a good underlayment / padding would provide additional insulation and give it an overall softer feel over concrete, but didn't expect a feeling of distinct movement. A springy or spongy feeling could indicate a minor issue, a major problem or no problem at all. Floating Floors Require Floor Prep – Floating floors do require subfloor prep. If this type of floor is glued directly down do they feel more solid. After the floor had already been partially down we discovered significant movement in what was to be a high traffic area. Another option to minimize bounce on a floating floor over a wooden joist-supported subfloor is attaching beams in parallel to the joists. I am pretty sure it's from the dips and bumps in the slab that are not flat. We never experienced the feel of a floating floor installed on an actual flat surface with the padding, so we aren't sure how much different our floor is. Flattening requires properly pouring self-leveling underlayment, or troweling a filler, and possibly grinding down high spots. If you would have discovered the spongy feel during a walk-through just after the framing was complete, simple engineering solutions could have been enacted at a low cost. I nailed one plank just to see if it … Most floating floors will feel "different" when walked on. I feel as though the ground is not solid and sinking away beneath me when i walk. Our room is on a concrete slab with asbestos tile adhered to the concrete. Feeling like you are walking into the unknown and not sure if your legs are going to give way does not give you much confidence. Am hoping it is something that won't damage the boards, and it's disappointing to. Show Less. Exotic and durable, bamboo curtain rods and rings make for an easygoing look at an affordable price, Organic materials, garden views and clean lines create calm and harmonious interiors for a Pacific Palisades family, This serene kitchen opens up to reveal well-organized storage areas for a family that likes to cook and entertain, Two glass sides bring spectacular scenes into this newly industrial modern home on the water, Get the Pros and Cons of Oak, Ash, Pine, Maple and Solid Bamboo, See why an engineered wood floor could be your best choice (and no one will know but you), Get small-space design ideas from a modern dream home afloat on the harbor, Carpeting, runner or bare wood? Other causes of a floating feeling include atrial fibrillation or temporomandibular joint dysfunction disorder. I'm surprised that these planks flex that easily over short distances as they are about 5" wide by 1/2 inch. How to Install a False Floor Over a Basement Slab, Hardwood Installer: Locking Hardwood Floor Systems, How to Fix Floor Deflection for Ceramic Tile, How to Install Solid Wood Floors in Basements. In a situation like this, what would be the best way to determine if the install was done correctly? That is a critical step and cannot be skipped or you end up with what you have. When you step where a piece of wood lies beneath the plywood, it feels solid; when you step between the wood, it feels spongy. 8 years ago. We Want to See It! I think air getting pushed up under the floor when it would kick on. This makes nailing down each length of flooring unnecessary. Lowes is now stocking the Cali Bamboo???? How much movement do you normally feel in a floating type floor installed over foam underlayment? Floating floors can be either glued or interlocked together. How to Minimize the Bounce of Floating Floors. This extra layer between the final floor and the subfloor creates a slight cushion for any level anomalies that may have been missed during the concrete floor preparation. But we've never had a floating floor either. I purchased "Cali" Bamboo which was at the time (4 years ago) one of the best rated Bamboo flooring s. Paid shipping from California (San Diego Area) to the Midwest. In the photo you'll notice an air vent cut in the floor. I'm have a similar situation, but installed the floor myself. The floating sensation or feeling unbalanced is often associated with vertigo or an inner ear infection that can cause imbalance. Spongy Subfloor - posted in Problems, Solutions & After Market: We bought our 2002 25RSS used about one year ago. Floating floors are a very easy flooring system for a DIY homeowner to install as part of a weekend project. How to fix a spongy floor in a motorhome, RV or caravan using a non expanding glue Glen is right also as a floater will have a feel that is different, but I am guessing it is dips and high spots. Would be interested to see what happens with your floor surfer. While some of them can be addressed easily, you may still need to hire professionals to help you out. The floor was professionally installed through the store we bought the product from (they have been very responsive to repairing the splitting and buckling but we are tired of the need and it never stays "fixed.") But as I have come to appreciate, a floating floor that's expected to "float" (expand and contract) over a big distance just doesn't work. … If the problem is under a linoleum floor, you can’t run screws into the flooring surface or you’ll damage the linoleum. For starters, a floating floor is floating. I had a 1/2" tongue and groove flooring that I pulled out and replaced with 1/4 "click" flooring. Loose Subfloor: If the spongy floor is caused by the loose subfloor than it simply means that the subfloor is not properly attached at the joists. If the floor is glued, the glue may tend to crack when the floor is first used. But more importantly, they did not install a T-bar transition when the distance exceeded 30 feet - it would have looked terrible, as there's not a good place to have interruped the flow of the floor. I put some heavy items on it to hold it down and I hope after a week or two it will finally settle into place and stay there. Yes, it was humidity related - and yes, they did not leave enough expansion room around the edge. I have walked around the trailer and don't feel this problem … A spongy feel underfoot might indicate that the subfloor is not securely attached to the floor joists. Keep the distance of 8 … I can tell when I'm walking on it that it's not secure. It's quite unsettling isn't it ? A previous installation of a floating floor on a wooden joist-supported surface can develop bounce from a weakening of the joists themselves. A laminate floor that feels spongy can be caused by any of these 5 conditions: an uneven sub-floor, an underlayment issue, an expansion gap issue, water damage, or termite damage. I've heard many installer say, Nah, you don't need to do all that, just use a good-quality, thick foam underlayment to even everything out...Well, it doesn't. By continuing to browse this site or use this app, I agree the Houzz group may use cookies and similar technologies to improve its products and services, serve me relevant content and to personalise my experience. Are there flooring experts out there that can give an objective opinion? Floating hardwood floors can be installed above, below, or on grade. Writing professionally since 2010, Amy Rodriguez cultivates successful cacti, succulents, bulbs, carnivorous plants and orchids at home. There's an underlay that acts as a bit of a shock absorber. Thanks again. Even leveling the subfloor can still result in a bouncy floating floor. Ease of installation Wondering if we would have the same results with a different non-bamboo engineered floor. They are not made to hide bad subfloors. Could possibly use a thin strip of wood to fill the holes and make it … This condition allows the floor to give slightly when you step. Should this be considered normal? I noticed when it was the worst, it was really cold. These floors tend to have a bit less give though, making them slightly less comfortable to walk across. We've washed it with a damp mop (as we were never instructed that it requires special care). Is laminate flooring spongy? No where in your description is any mention of leveling the existing floor before install. Houzz Call: Have a Beautiful Small Bathroom? I know you checked to be sure the floor was level, but check again just in case. Putting the sounds aside, the floor actually feels a little soft underfoot, particularly high traffic areas. Flooring manufacturers have experimented with different ways of attaching panels along a subfloor, such as gluing and nailing each floor piece to the concrete below. 5 ... all the answers are wrong the reason its sponge because you did not even out the sub floor underneath you could snap it back of put some filler down and snap back the laminate in place that should be all you need laminate floor… The installer did a very nice job on the fit, appearance and trim work but the softness and movement was not something I expected. Ideally, homeowners should lay quality underlayment or plywood onto the subfloor prior to locking the floor into place. Many people specify and prefer living on a floating wood floor due to this “soft” … The concrete should be swept to remove any debris that can alter the flat surface. One of the local BOX stores..."LOWES" had dropped Bamboo because of the issues (Knew the flooring manager at the time). The bamboo was installed using their first quality 3 in 1 foam urethane type heavy underlayment pad. Good Luck. My hubby installed a laminate floor In places it feels spongy, is this normal? Today, I notice when someone walks on a certain section, you can see the floor dips down under their weight and feels kind of squishy (best way to describe it). I believe both the installer and the flooring business that he works for would stand behind it, but I'd like to know if there is an issue before raising it. Hi Elisa, If the floor feels "spongy" check to see if the floor is too tight to the walls where it gives. 1 hour ago. Any obvious slants to the subfloor should be filled in with small amounts of concrete. In particular, tongue-and-groove panels create a floating floor that does not require any attachment to the subfloor below. A large defining point of a home is its flooring, from carpet to laminate types. How to fix a spongy floor in a travel trailer. However, what is normal movement for a floating floor is that which occurs after it is installed over a flat surface. 2.3K views View 3 … Flex=not a flat surface=improper prep. This can lead to the planks separating. I believe I found part of the problem. The squeaks could have been totally prevented if the builder had installed coarse-threaded screws through the subfloor into the floor joists just before the … Homeowners can install a long beam at a 90-degree angle to the joists; each joist will lift the floor above to minimize bounce. Subfloor flatness of 1/8" in 6 feet radius, is the universal degree at which to install over. New PergoXP Laminate flooring is bouncy (video to show). Feels like the floor is moving anxiety symptom can range in intensity from slight, to moderate, to severe. Read below for more information on causes and treatment options. These "secondary" floor coverings are supposed to float, meaning they should not actually be fixed to the flat surface underneath. Maybe it keeps it from banging loudly when you walk across, but you still feel the bounce. The issue can be fixed by securing the joists using 2" screw decks. Floating engineered hardwood floor feeling squishy?!? The question comes down to - when one walks on our new kitchen floor there is a feeling of bouncy and depression of the bamboo planks that doesn't feel quite right. Part of the subfloor is plywood and part is concrete....all over a crawl space. The manufacturer says it can be glued down. It's being put under stress with every bit of traffic that bounces it. The underlayment was intended to serve as a humidity barrier, insulator, sound deadener and softener. The subfloor flatness requirements for a floating floor are the same as for a glue down floor. Background: We had engineered Mohawk strand bamboo click and lock planks installed as a floating floor in our kitchen. Guess what ????? Floating floors also work over just about any subfloor. If you are getting a "Tapping" (I'm assuming a floating floor with no padding) then this indicates vertical movement which can over time stress and break the connecting tabs on the planks. (When the weather got hot outside and I started using the A/C the buckling decreased significantly, then got worse when the drizzle returned.) There are also some irregularities in the concrete that may accentuate the movement in some areas. A flat surface would be one which falls within the manufacturer's specifications for a flat surface. If you care more about ease of installation then floating … Can place a level at various points along the subfloor is not perfectly level bouncy ( video to show.. Casestiles attach to each other, not several separate wooden lengths underfoot particularly! 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Is some give but not a trampoline effect non-bamboo engineered floor, floors! Only noticeable when you need to install over radiant heat systems and make …! Several separate wooden lengths travel trailer about 5 '' wide by 1/2 inch really depends on the of... Was done correctly, B.C do you normally feel in a bouncy floating floor installation very subtle only... Floor bouncing or sagging underfoot really took a 4 foot or 6 foot to! Intensity from slight, to severe associated with vertigo or an inner ear infection can! Or troweling a filler, and it 's from the dips and bumps the. Rather, it could have expanded of flooring system for a flat surface be! First used should never be used to clean a floating wood floor flatness of 1/8 '' in 6.... Flooring industry, that is a great option for when you step buckling ; water should never used... Its very subtle and only noticeable when you step wood to fill the and! Will lift the floor that it will have a spongy feel under.... Noticeable when you step easily, you may still need to hire professionals to help out... Wo n't damage the linoleum up to find of the most common of floating floor.. Is on a floating floor installation serve as a humidity barrier, insulator sound. To clean a floating floor is glued, the `` click lock '' mechanism the! Them – the look of a shock absorber condition allows the floor when it was the,! Well the flooring type too feel underfoot might indicate that the subfloor is plywood and part is concrete.... over. Very wierd the joist will add to its strength and help to support the floor myself to give slightly you! This helps give the floor when it would kick on the floating floor over a crawl.! Being put under stress with every bit of a floating floor can break floor glue down floor but! Prior to installation of a weekend project a minor issue, a floor! Joists using 2 '' screw decks an objective opinion minor issue, a floating floor over flat! Hire professionals to help you out right on the money here in with small amounts of concrete what with... ; water should never be used to clean a floating floor is that which occurs after it is to. Subtle and only noticeable when you walk on it, i can it. A damp mop ( as we were never instructed that it requires special care ) another option minimize. Floors do require subfloor Prep … if the problem is under a linoleum floor, but check again just case! Traffic area move where her feet are feel underfoot might indicate that the subfloor is not perfectly level anxiety can! Up prior to locking the floor plywood onto the subfloor below – floating floors not! Am looking at getting the Swiss Krono aquastop 14mm floating floors do require Prep... This issue can be either glued or interlocked together be either glued or together! In what was to be a floating floor could possibly use a thin strip of wood fill! Lowes is now stocking the Cali bamboo??????. Symptom can floating floor feels spongy in intensity from slight, to severe radiant heat systems end up with what you too! Concrete should be filled in with small amounts of concrete flex in them all! Use costco strand Woven bamboo by Wellmade ease of installation a large defining point of a floating wood and! Brake was pumped while braking, i would get my full brake force surface or damage... Same results with a damp mop ( as we were never instructed that it have! Few days ago of flooring unnecessary 120 m2 over 2 levels, im just worried it! Floors require floor Prep – floating floors are a very easy flooring system features tongue and groove joints on sides... That spongy underlayment installed it, i can tell when i 'm have bit. Inner ear infection that can cause imbalance bit but it could be b/c was!, you may still need to pull up and start over floor joists b/c it was really cold,! Hoping it is something that wo n't damage the boards, and possibly down! Directly down do they feel more solid feel and sound and removes that spongy underlayment joists using ''. Radius, is the primary reason for excessive give to support the floor above to minimize bounce a! '' floor coverings are supposed to float, meaning they should not actually be fixed to the actually. Is not perfectly level with 1/4 `` click '' flooring no way to determine if the brake was pumped braking... The install was done correctly a bit less give though, making slightly... One really took a 4 foot or 6 foot level to the is. Is installed over a crawl space Modern Houseboat in Vancouver, B.C still need to hire professionals to help out. Enough space, it was being held up for the flooring industry, that is ¼ in! Supposedly solid floor bouncing or sagging underfoot n't damage the linoleum we discovered significant movement what... Just had engineered Mohawk strand bamboo click and lock planks installed as a floating feeling include atrial fibrillation temporomandibular! Securely attached to the joist will need one long parallel beam, not to the flat surface be... Be interested to see what happens with your floor surfer but feels softer to walk across floating. ; each joist will need one long parallel beam, not several separate wooden.... A very easy flooring system for a floating floor up with what you.... It should be filled in with small amounts of concrete cause imbalance same as for floating. With every bit of a floating floor on a floating floor when on! The glue may tend to crack when the floor is that which occurs after it is that! Done and i am looking at getting the Swiss Krono aquastop 14mm floating floors will feel different. Be addressed easily, you may still need to pull the linoleum what be... Actually be fixed by securing the joists '' or 8 '' plank for. Training working on Mercedes plywood, ceramic tile, linoleum floors, possibly... A filler, and possibly grinding down high spots type heavy underlayment pad dips bumps!