Engineered Floor Installation

BoydS

We recently had a contractor install a Bruce Summit Hill wood floor (glue down) in a bedroom and hallway. The planks are 1/4" x 3" wide and installed over a 20 year old concrete slab. A moisture test was done with the results being a 4.0 (acceptable reading per the Bruce installation guide). From first appearance it appears the contractor did a fine job. But there are a few things that concern me and the contractor has been informed of these issues.

It was explained before the purchase that a quality check would be performed after installation (5 days later no QC). This is important, as many of you know. It's best to address thing visually instead of over the phone. Another issue is that in 2 places the floor has not adhered to the concrete. You know that popping effect when you walk on it. The contractor (over the phone) explained to me that is "normal" and would fix itself over time. He also stated that the adhesive never really dries and you can just place a heavy object over those areas to help it bond. Ok, that may be ... but why isn't this happening in other areas. Is the popping effect due to a possible low spot..? That's what I believe. The only other issue I have is that where the floor in the bedroom meets the hallway. The planks meet 90 degrees to each other and are not flush. It's not a big difference between the 2 unless you wanna call 1/16" to much.

I just looking for opinions here, since flooring is not my trade. Do you think the contractor should address these issues (I do). It appears to me that I am being set on the back burner now that the install is done. I will say that only half of the job has been paid (up front) and the other half will be paid when I am satisified.

Do I have a complaint, opinions please.

Thanks...

knottyfloors

The popping noise is probably b/c of a low spot. It is fixable with an injectable uerathane adhesive( I believe Franklin or 3M makes one). I'm not sure about the height differences, it could be because of the slab. As for the contractor saying the glue never really dries, he's wrong. Uerathanes aren't supposed to dry hard but more like rubber so it moves with the wood. As a flooring contractor I'm not going to tell you to not pay the rest of the money but hold a few hundred until it gets fixed. If 90% of the floor is good to go then pay 90%. Remember your a sub contractor too, give the guy a chance. Good luck.

BoydS

That injection adhesive sounds like it might work. I would assume you drill a few holes in the area and then inject this adhesive. Then come back with a hopefully matching filler. Have you done this before..? And I stand back on the issue of holding half the payment. You're right in what you say about that. It still erks me that he has not made an effort to contact me. Everyone expects professional courtesy. And thanks for the info about the uerathanes flexibility.

knottyfloors

Your right about drilling holes to inject the glue, it even comes with the drill bit. Try and drill just one hole then more if it needs it. I have done this on a floor that someone else did and it worked great. As for the money tell him he needs to come and get it, he'll call you back then. Oh yeah, put tape on the floor where your going to drill and inject so if it makes a mess it won't get on the floor.

BoydS

Finally heard back from the contractor on Friday and got to talk with the right person (I hope). They ask about the problems with the floor and I obliged by telling them. So they set it up for this Monday to have someone come out and do the necessary work in order to finish this job. I ask about them doing a follow up with a QC check. They stated that with the subcontractor that did the installation for me, it was not usually done because of his expertise. And get this, they told me again that the popping floor would fix itself. But they did admit they may have to inject an adhesive if it became necessary. I don't want to bore everyone with the problems this installation has, so we'll see how they address the problems on Monday.

Oh, they ask if they could collect the balance of the bill on Monday after the sub corrected the problems. I stated that I would still need to inspect his work first. They agreed. I explained that I will not be at home when this work will be done (only the wife will).

One last tibbit, if their sub has such great expertise. Why would he leave the brads that hold down a threshold above the wood. I found that out the hard way, by stepping on one barefoot.

Knottyfloors, thanks for the info. I will make sure the wife tells them to use tape where they do the drilling and injecting.