Laminate flooring is very popular now among owners of residential and commercial properties. They prefer this type of flooring for its classy look, greater durability and easier maintenance. It is also easy to install laminate flooring. But the subfloor should be properly prepared before installing the laminated planks. If the subfloor condition is ignored, even the best-quality laminate flooring may fail to deliver the desired result. Thus, building owners, contractors and laminate flooring installers need to be aware of the problems created by an unprepared subfloor.
Problems caused by the unevenness of the subfloor
A smooth subfloor surface is essential for installing laminate flooring. So, the subfloor should be carefully levelled before placing laminate planks. The ups and downs of the subfloor should not exceed 3 mm over a surface area of 1 metre. An uneven subfloor can hamper the placement of laminate flooring in the following ways:
- Weaker joints in laminate planks: If the subfloor surface is uneven, laminate planks can be up and down relative to the base below. Hence, the joints between these planks may weaken eventually and even open up when people walk on the uneven flooring surface.
- Gaps widen between laminate planks: If laminate planks cannot be locked tightly due to an uneven subfloor, gaps between them will be visible. The entire flooring will look unstable and ugly with such wide gaps between the planks.
- Buckling of planks when temperature fluctuates: Laminate planks placed over the uneven subfloor may buckle or bend when the room temperature changes. Too much heat or cold during summer or winter may cause these loosely fitted planks to expand or shrink accordingly.
- Uncomfortable walking on the floor: When people walk on laminate flooring installed over an uneven subfloor, they may feel like stepping into hollowness below. It can be very uncomfortable for them while walking there. Cracking sounds may be heard due to the pressure exerted over these planks while walking over such laminate flooring.
- Untimely wear and tear of the flooring: The uneven subfloor decreases the longevity of the laminate flooring installed over it. The laminate planks may crack very soon due to their improper placement. The surface of the flooring may wear off much sooner than the usual lifespan of this type of flooring.
The ill effects of the presence of moisture in the subfloor
It is essential to wipe off all water droplets and moisture from the subfloor before installing laminate flooring. Though most laminate planks are waterproof now, prolonged exposure to humidity below can gradually damage the flooring. So, a vapor barrier can be placed between the concrete subfloor and the laminate flooring. The nearby plumbing pipes should be checked for leaks. In highly humid rooms, a proper underlayment should be installed over a concrete or wooden subfloor. The following consequences can be seen due to the humidity of the subfloor:
- Warping of laminate planks: The core of all laminate planks is made of High-Density Fiberboard (HDF). This wooden part absorbs water from the moist subfloor, leading to swelling and warping of the planks. Thus, these boards may curve or rise due to exposure to moisture for a long time.
- Curling of the edges of planks: The corners or edges of laminate planks may curl or even buckle due to moisture in the subfloor. Thus, the flooring surface may become uneven and uncomfortable to walk or sit there.
- Formation of molds and mildew: Too much dampness in the subfloor can lead to the growth of molds and mildew in the laminate planks. The rapid spread of molds can reduce the longevity of the flooring.
- A foul odor in the flooring: A bad smell can be emitted from the laminate flooring, which is caused by the continuous presence of moisture in the subfloor beneath it. In that case, the entire flooring must be changed to get rid of that odor.
- Damage in the layers of planks: A laminate plank is usually made of several layers. These layers may separate in the course of time because of being in contact with the humid subfloor all the time.
Consequence of the presence of debris on the subfloor
The thorough cleaning of the subfloor is mandatory before the installation of the laminate flooring. If it is not properly cleared, the presence of debris can damage the normal health of the laminate planks. So, the subfloor should be carefully vacuumed or cleaned to eliminate all debris particles. The following troubles will be faced if dirt particles are not cleared from the subfloor surface:
- Dents and bumps on the floor surface: If tiny stone particles or similar hard substances remain on the subfloor, they can push through the laminate planks. These debris particles will create dents that push upwards on the laminate flooring surface.
- Crackling noise while walking: If plenty of dirt or sand particles remain on the subfloor surface, popping sounds can disturb the peaceful environment of the room. These sounds can be heard while walking over the laminate floor if the subfloor is not cleared.
- Damage in plank joints: The pressure exerted by debris particles can prevent proper interlocking of the joints of laminate planks. These joints may also crack up, reducing the life of the laminate flooring.
- Too much wear and tear: The continuous pressure created by debris particles of various sizes can gradually weaken the laminate flooring. Then the floor planks will need repairing or replacement long before the expected term.
Conclusion
The subfloor should be made of a sturdy material to ensure the best laminate flooring. The subfloor made of old vinyl, porous concrete, weak plywood, or uneven stone is not suitable for installing laminate planks. The proper preparation of the subfloor is essential for the installation of laminate flooring that is designed to last for many years, as well as render an aesthetic look to the room. A smooth, dry, clean, and stable subfloor can ensure much better performance of the laminate flooring and reduced maintenance.