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concrete problem under Pergo laminate flooring

sammy zone 7 Tulsa

15 years ago

We have purchased the Pergo laminate flooring, and yesterday and today we removed the carpet.

When I removed the tacks strips and nails that went into the concrete, the nails came out with some concrete. I think that Lowe's can tell us how to fill it in.

THere is a rather long crack that has been there for years. It was never a problem with carpet, but is a problem now. I think filling it is no problem, but one side is higher than the other. Does the laminate flooring have any forgiveness, or do we need to have the entire floor perfectly level? If it has to be level, do you know of a good product that can be used for this purpose? (I have not checked the Pergo web site, and will do that. I just wondered if any of you had suggestions.

Thanks

Sammy

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Comments (7)

floorguy
15 years ago
The universal flatness requirements for gluedown or floating wood or laminate flooring is 1/8 of an inch, in 6 feet. With bigger areas 3/16 of an inch in 10 feet.

If it has give/flex, the flooring will destroy itself.
Movement causes disengagement, gaps, busted tongues and locking lip, along with edge chipping.
sammy zone 7 Tulsa
Original Author
15 years ago
I have tried to go to sites to find out how to grind down concrete, and have not had much luck. Is it difficult to grind it down, do you know? Except for this crack, we seem to be ok.

THe crack is 57" long, and runs from wall to wall making a triangle with the two walls. The depth and the width of the crack are about 1/8". THat measurement may be acceptable, but it seems logical to me that I should attempt to deal with it before putting down the floor - that floor was expensive.

I would appreciate any other information you might have as far as what exactly to do about it.

Thanks,
Sammy
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jerry_t
15 years ago
How much higher is one side of the crack to the other? How old is the slab?
sammy zone 7 Tulsa
Original Author
15 years ago
The higher side is 1/8 inch higher. My husband said that the house has settled, and the lower side is the problem, and we should build it up.

The house was built is 1978, we were the first owners in 1979. The distance in the crack is 1/8 inch. It is in the corner where we will have a chair or bench, but the flooring is long, and I think the floor must be very level.

Sammy
jerry_t
15 years ago
Vertical cracks are killers underneath hard surface floor coverings, but since the slab is many years old it's already done it's thing. I would recommend a patching compound like Mapei Planipatch and feather it way out to get it as flat as you can.
sammy zone 7 Tulsa
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks
Sammy
rosielovescharlie_yahoo_com
12 years ago
We have been told we may have a moisture problem in our concrete slab. Can we still consider Pergo? Is there a way to test for moisture?

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