Shaw laminate flooring - popping noises

5 years ago

Had a flooring company (S&G through Costco) installed Shall WPC laminate flooring. The first installation crew did not do a good job (too many issues to list) as the floor would make popping noise. The 2nd crew did a better installation by re-leveling the concrete floor and put down a better vapor barrier (Natural 2?).

However the noise is the same or worst.

- part 1

- part 2

S&G talked to Shaw to see if it's a product defect or issue. Shaw said the noise is cause by my wc rolling over it. I think is BS bc I've rolled over friend's house with wood/laminate floors and haven't heard of any noises.

S&G recommend glueing the laminate dwn to the concrete slab, but they cannot guarantee the popping noise will completely go away.

Is there a solution to making the noises go completely away? I would go with title but S&G only install wood/laminate or carpet.

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
That sounds pretty nasty. You've used the word "laminate" but you've also used WPC in the description. They are normally two different things. Laminate is a photograph sitting on top of fibre board. The WPC is traditionally a vinyl product. They can LOOK the same but they have VERY different installation requirements.

First and foremost...the subfloor "flatness" rating. It may or may not have been addressed COMPLETELY. If this is LAMINATE it can handle a bit more humps and bumps but it should still be fairly flat. If this is VINYL then the concrete must be PERFECTLY flat. And I mean REALLY REALLY FLAT.

Secondly, and perhaps I should have lead with this, vinyl does NOT like UNDERPAD!!!! Oh dear. Shaw CLEARLY states (on website) that it allows TWO underpads with their vinyl/WPC products:

https://shawfloors.com/flooring/how-to/vinyl/underlayment/floorte-vinyl-underlayment

Underpads for vinyl are VERY specific and VERY thin. I mean STUPID thin. Like 1.2mm - 2mm thick and that is IT. If they are the wrong material (squishy foamy stuff normally used under laminate) then the vinyl will MOVE and shift and bounce and even crackle and pop (sound familiar?). If it is the wrong THICKNESS...see above.

If anything other than the TWO (2) allowable underpads was used, then the warranty is void. You will want to check your invoice. If Costco does NOT carry the two underpads...then they probably used something else. And part of the noise issue is most likely coming from the squishy squeaky stuff underneath the vinyl.

We've seen noise like this when multiple issues show up at the same time. It can be a complex concern to diagnose because it usually takes multiple factors to get this to happen. The BIGGEST factor for me would be the UNDERPAD! Start there. It is the weakest link in the chain and it is the EASIEST link to investigate on your own. Your bill from Costco should have the name of the underpad listed. If it does not, contact Costco and have them produce it for your.

If the installers used the WRONG underpad, then they are on the hook for the repair. Thankfully you used Costco...they normally have excellent customer service. Sadly, you used Costco...they are not flooring experts which means they don't know how to pick flooring companies.

Good luck. Start with the underpad. I think that is your ticket to freedom from this nasty floor. And no, it is not your chair...it is the floor.
Related Discussions
Laminate Flooring over Hardwood Floors
Q
Comments (45)
I second the suggestion for the waterhog mats. I'll post where we purchase them if I can find the link - you can get custom sizes, colors, styles, etc. LL BEAN sells them too but they are very pricey IMO. We use them around our dogs water bowls too since they are sloppy drinkers. In addition to our entry way, we also use them in the back of our SUV's in the cargo area since we travel with our Boxers. Keeps the truck nice and clean and absorbs liquids. After my dog had surgery he peed in the truck on the drive home from the vets office (post-anesthesia, if I remember correctly) and I was thankful for that waterhog mat. Not a drop of urine on my upholstery; the waterhog captured all of it, and it was easy enough to clean -- I sprayed it down with a hose and some cleaning solution, left it out to dry and no residual smell whatsoever. They're awesome mats.
...See More
Know anything about Shaw solid core wood flooring?
Q
Comments (7)
Unless you're just buying material, you're better off getting the bottom line price for the material, installation and anything else that's needed (shipping, trim, shoemold/quarter round, furniture moving, subfloor preparation, removal of existing flooring). Some sellers quote a low price per foot then inflate the amount of material needed. I don't suppose Shaw would make and sell a problematic product but it has happened before. I'm skeptical of any product with a composite core but I do live in Florida where there's a lot of moisture. My preference would be to float one of these products so it wasn't in contact with a concrete slab.
...See More
Armstrong laminate popping & cracking...HELP!
Q
Comments (10)
Armstrong's underlay was used... Quiet Step or something like that. I just got off the phone with a floor specialist / consultant / inspector. I like him.... he asked if my installer would be willing to meet him here and together they can take up a portion of the floor and determine what can be done. He said he is not a "finger pointer", but a problem solver. He said he won't write a report at this point, and that 80% of problems like this are, unfortunately, installation related, but that there is always the possibility that there is a milling issue with the product. I told him my installer has been very cooperative during this entire process, and he is the one who contacted the Armstrong rep when all this started and got the ball rolling, so I think he would agree to be involved. We will see. I did not know that a floor could be taken up and re-installed, if that becomes necessary. I am going to wait until after the first of the year to pursue this course of action. Gives me hope though, that there could be a fix without replacing the entire floor. I told him if the floor has to come up, I will put tile in my kitchen / hallway / laundry room and carpet in the master bedroom. I will of course expect to pay for that. Live and learn.... Thanks again for all the replies..... much appreciated. I am hopeful that something can be done.
...See More
new construction laminate floor popping, please help!
Q
Comments (13)
I had wood-look laminate in a prior home that used to sound exactly like popping bubble wrap. It only happened around the perimeter of the rooms. Every morning while I drank my morning coffee, I used to walk around the perimeter of the rooms and pop them. They would then be fine for awhile. They were active during humidity changes, would be fine and not pop for days/weeks if the weather pattern was stable. I liked the looks and utility of the floor and mine never really bothered me all that much. I agree it's weird to have to pop your floors, but because mine would be silent for days after I popped them I guess it just never rose to a real problem for me. I'm also one of those weirdos who enjoys popping bubble wrap, so take that for what it's worth too. ha ha.
...See More

Shaw laminate flooring - popping noises

Comment (1)

SJ McCarthy

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US