Coretec should have a limited 5 year commercial warranty. Did you glue down? Did you float the floors? I'm seeing seam separation which would indicate a floating installation.

Commercial use usually requires glue down installation. Please tell us more about how this floor was installed and how many CONTINUOUS square feet you installed (largest stretch without T-moldings).

Do you have a question?

Our professional contractor recommended and installed the floors. they are not glued down.

The floor was installed throughout the entire small apartment, which is about 600 square feet. The installation is done over the concrete floors and thin sound proofing special plastic sheet.

What is a T molding? The contractor left gaps around the walls and installed quarter round.

Sammy, why are these floors sold as being strong enough for commercial use but fall apart in a situation such as ours, when unexpectedly because of Covid, a senior and wheelchair user had to move to the apartment where the floors were installed and 3 weeks later, this is the result.

I paid so much for these floors and installation. Not sure whether I will see any of that money back. And cannot afford to spend as much ever again. These Cortec floors will continue to come apart and no longer provide a safe, flat surface to walk on.

What other floors can I put down that are inexpensive but strong to handle wheelchairs ? And that are quick to install because the installation is now so much harder with people living in the apartment.

OK...so now I'm seeing the issues.

Issue:

#1. Floating floor in a commercial setting. The click system is not good enough to hold more than a few years....if installed properly (yours are not installed properly)

#2. No T-molding through doorways. Floating vinyl planks require T-moldings through doorways to allow the floors to 'float' in each room without pulling itself apart (such as yours have done)

#3. An underpad has been used underneath a vinyl floor. This is a particular No-No with vinyl. Vinyl HATES underpad. Hates it. Really doesn't like it. CoreTec original is the ONLY coreTec product that ALLOWS extra underpadding. The rest do not.

The problem you are seeing comes from the price point you are looking at. A tile floor is the way to go. A good glue down vinyl plank (cheaper to purchase but more expensive to install) is THE REQUIREMENT in a commercial setting. Kardean produces a 'perimeter glue' plank that is laid without any other attachment. Very special product that requires special technique.

I'm sorry your installer sold you something S/HE likes to install (very simple install = 'fast money' for these people). It was the wrong choice.

Question: How much 'subfloor' prep did the installer do?

Your installer failed you on multiple fronts. Is he licensed and insured? That poor workmanship can go as a claim against his insurance or bond if he is not willing to fix the issues that he caused.

Thank you so much for the information. These floors were installed in an apartment I own, and the unit was originally renovated to make it safe for one of our relatives age 83. At that time, we did not know Covid would happen and make it necessary to move both relatives, the one who is able to walk and the other who needs a wheelchair, into the unit.

We have very strict noise restrictions in the building, and the condominium board requires sound proofing under any floors. Glued floors are also not allowed on the concrete.

The contractor is licensed. I am very surprised and disappointed to learn the job was not done properly, as this contractor came highly recommended and had worked on a friend's home. Thank you for pointing out the issues with the installation. This was not an inexpensive installation.

The contractor and the flooring specialist who sold him the floors should have known that an apartment being renovated for someone age 80+ would need floors that can withstand any changes in the person's physical condition. As people age, they may need walkers or a wheelchair.

The Cortec company does not provide clear warnings about the extensive and rapid damage caused by having floating floors installed in apartments or homes where wheelchairs are used.

Thank you for letting me know abot the need to have these floors glued down, even though in our apartment this cannot be an option. Online, there several articles recommending this product or other LVP for people who use wheelchairs with no mention of how they would need to be installed (with glue).

I hope others see this posting and avoid this problem.

The subfloor prep was cleaning up and patched up a few spots.

The cost for the average subfloor preparation is between $2-$4/sf. An apartment concrete slab usually had carpet. And carpet hides some of the WORST subfloors (wavy, crumbly, uneven, etc). A light weight concrete (aka. gypcrete) is an off-white product that crumbles and gives off +++dust. You rub your hand across it and your hand comes away 'white' with the gypcrete. This is often used in apartment buildings (it is light and cheap to install). It is a BEAST to repair or deal with once the building has been built.

A wavy/wonky subfloor will cause vinyl floating floors (vinyl is VERY delicate with the click-edge) to separate. The edges break or simply 'unzip' if the subfloor isn't prepared enough.

And the BIGGEST issue I'm seeing = underpad. CoreTec II (or better) does NOT allow underpad. This is the BIGGEST ISSUE with vinyl planks in condos with HEAVY acoustic requirements. They are almost impossible to achieve with vinyl. That's why most owners stick with carpet because it is TOO HARD to get the acoustic materials in the condos without remortgaging the unit.

The contractor said it was our fault the floors failed because the concrete slab in our condo cannot be fixed, levelled due to condo rules.

The manufacturer said there are no issues with the floor.

That was on your installer to tell you this prior to selling and installing this floor unfortunately then.

I think these floors are very difficult to install and not really strong. They have a 30 year warranty, according to the manufacturer, but they won't stand behind it. We just hired an inspector, and he said the sliding doors in the den and closet doors in the bedroom should not have been drilled into the floors and that transitions needed to be installed. The inspector did not think the concrete floor was the issue. We are at a loss of how to proceed. The manufacturer won't help and neither the retailer who sold the floors to the contractor. And the contractor blames our condo rules.

That means we have unsafe floors and have lost thousands of dollars

Do you have photos of anything of the before, during and after concept?

"We just hired an inspector, and he said the sliding doors in the den and closet doors in the bedroom should not have been drilled into the floors and that transitions needed to be installed. "

"The inspector did not think the concrete floor was the issue. "

"And the contractor blames our condo rules."

Coretec is a solid product and company. Millions of sq ftg is installed everywhere. This issue is all on your installer. But he could not see the concrete to see if it is a problem. Notice he did not say it was definitely not an issue. And after you have issues is not the time to tell you the issue is condo rules.

This past week, we had a flooring company sales rep come and see whether we need to replace the entire apartment floor. He lifted one of the loose boards and said that the acoustic underpad was installed the wrong way around.

We didn't take photos of the floors during the reno..

"He lifted one of the loose boards and said that the acoustic underpad was installed the wrong way around."

What did he say about the product and the balance of the installation?

Millworkman, the inspector we hired used a tool (the kind that has a bubble) to see if the concrete was straight.

The other inspector hired by the manufacturer used a different type of measuring tool. Sorry, I don't know what it's called.

If the concrete is not perfect, what is the best way to fix it? We are not allowed to grind down concrete floors in our building. The flooring sales rep said they use some kind of product poured on to of the slab to even it out,

Self Leveling Compound would be what is poured to make it level. Are you sure they will not allow you to grind them? I would impress upon them the fact that you are only grinding to get the floor flat, period, so you can install a finished floor over the concrete.

Pretty sure about grinding. The contractor said he wasn't allowed to do anything to the subfloors. The original thickness has to be kept.

The two inspectors did not think the acoustic vinyl was an issue. Only the sales rep for a flooring company mentioned that those are not great.,,and especially not if Insta the wrong way around.

The contractor said this never happens to him. He installed this product in his home. I guess in houses floors must be better...more even.

"The contractor said he wasn't allowed to do anything to the subfloors"

You need to ask. You are not changing the thickness of the floor slab by enough to effect anything. This guy is and has been feeding you a line of crap.

You paid for your inspector. You own the report, make sure you get the copy of this report.

Each week, the floors are in worse condition. The bathroom now...

Now the bathroom is starting to have problems. Shaw industries and Carpet One in Brampton are ignoring my request for help so far. Shaw said there would be a plan from C1, but nothing has happened. No one calls or responds to emails. It seems that with this product, the floors are becoming more damaged as time goes on. other devices seniors need can be used.

Does anybody know what we can use instead? We need and had wanted the apartment to be accessible. This is a picture of the place before the renovation and the builder's 15 year old laminate floors..

Strong, accessible floors are what we need. We are only allowed to glue onto the concrete in the kitchen and bathroom.

HU- I have been researching flooring for my house and have looked into LVT and read extensively the comments from Lowe’s and Home Depot in addition to other flooring companies. While Cortec may be a well known vendor that does not mean their products are top of the line. Many LVTs are flexible (a better installation for your uneven subfloor as it floats above and has more flexibility than a rigid core LVT. Some of them are WATER RESISTANT aka 48-72 hours ‘water proof’ and moisture can damage if it’s longer. I’m not sure what your unique problem is, but it is unfortunate. LVT (even a less expensive variety or even the cheap sticker planks) will only come undone if 1. There is damage underneath that works it’s way up- whether that is an uneven subfloor and the ‘flexibility’ took too much wear 2. Moisture damage 3. Incorrect installation- you see where I’m going.

Even the cheapest of vinyl flooring is a fairly durable product, so it really comes down to human error or installation or a faulty product. I tell hubby all the time and I would say the same here, you get what you pay for.

The best product I’ve found so far as far as LVT that is mid priced is HD’s lifeproof, which has an underlayment built in and is truly 100% water resistance (none are really scratch resistant By the way, all furniture should have felt underneath.). It’s about 3.29/ish per sqft. (Decent LVT should be IMO 3.50-5 dollars depending on quality)

I’m currently looking into another higher end brand from provenza I’m waiting for my sample to come in. And I personally am very interested in the 100% waterproof engineered hardwood from rain tree collection. Provenza they quoted me 4.79/sq foot which was the same as the engineered hardwood quote I received from a raintree vendor.

Personally I’m not a fan of LVT although your flooring is quite nice. Shame what happened but I would bank that there was a faulty installation job.

Ps, I’m not sure which flooring you went with but many lower priced brands have just horrendous reviews on HD and Lowe’s sites.

You are much better off with a floating click installation LVT otherwise you’ll be tearing out glued tiles whenever a tenet destroys them or an issue like this arises.

the concrete subfloors either install a moisture barrier or use a product like life proof with existing underlayment. Those glue down LVT are junk that’s the yucky stuff in my house and I almost kill myself once a week because they slip out because they weren’t glued properly (I’m on a concrete slab foundation in the south).

I am a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Floating floors are not suitable with wheelchair or walker use. They will move too much and stress the locking mechanism. Your installer should have explained that. All of your issues are due to improper installation.

One of the best floors for wheelchairs is standard VCT, like is used in hospitals and nursing himes. It comes in more colors than ever, can be cut into many designs, and is inexpensive to purchase and install both. That would be my suggestion for a replacement. You will need to have it professionally maintained at least once a year unless you own a buffer. That is it’s one downfall. The positives far outweighs that.

You also HAVE to have a flat floor. You need to push the issue with proper prep including grinding with the building management. Otherwise anything you install shy of carpet will do exactly the same thing.

Thank you SJ McCarthy.

Thank you millworkman

Thank you Monique. I never heard of provenza. Waterproof hardwood sounds amazing

"Waterproof hardwood sounds amazing"

No such thing. There is not waterproof hardwood no matter they claim. Read the fine print.

Good to know millworkman. What is the strongest, best type of hardwood that one can use in an apartment ? Do they also require a perfect subfloor?

"Do they also require a perfect subfloor?"

Everything but carpet......................

I wonder if ADA rules would apply in these circumstances? I wouldn't think that any building could forbid an owner from making necessary alterations at their own expense to permit them to use their own property.

Interesting point Lynde Lee

@millworkman

https://raintreefloors.com/

Millworkman, you were right!!! We asked the Board and management, and the top of the concrete is ours, so we can smooth it and level it. We were told another reno was done recently, and it included fixing the cement before the installation.

We were also told my the manufacturer these floors can handle rolling devices.

A neighbour uses a wheelchair and walker on the floating engineered hardwood and has had no issues for the past decade.