Feels like the floor is moving anxiety symptom can precede, accompany, or follow an episode of nervousness, anxiety, fear, and elevated stress, or occur ‘out of the blue’ and for no apparent reason. Good Luck. Floating floors can be either glued or interlocked together. The Upstairs-Downstairs Connection: Picking the Right Stair Treatment. How to fix a spongy floor in a travel trailer. Floating floor is not a type of flooring. The manufacturer says it can be glued down. Have not spoken to the new manger or gone to the other store where my previous friend is to see the response on the Cali. Any suggestions? This can lead to the planks separating. Thank you for the questions and comments. How to Minimize the Bounce of Floating Floors. The floating sensation or feeling unbalanced is often associated with vertigo or an inner ear infection that can cause imbalance. I purchased "Cali" Bamboo which was at the time (4 years ago) one of the best rated Bamboo flooring s. Paid shipping from California (San Diego Area) to the Midwest. I nailed one plank just to see if it … Wondering if we would have the same results with a different non-bamboo engineered floor. In particular, tongue-and-groove panels create a floating floor that does not require any attachment to the subfloor below. The concrete should be swept to remove any debris that can alter the flat surface. The bamboo was installed using their first quality 3 in 1 foam urethane type heavy underlayment pad. Right now we have carpeting over that. The kitchen floor is concrete slab above grade. Ease of installation Loose Subfloor: If the spongy floor is caused by the loose subfloor than it simply means that the subfloor is not properly attached at the joists. I put some heavy items on it to hold it down and I hope after a week or two it will finally settle into place and stay there. If excessive movement is present, which can be confirmed by simply pressing the floor with ones foot to visually see the floor move, the movement may cause the edges of each laminate … There is some give but not a trampoline effect. I'm surprised that these planks flex that easily over short distances as they are about 5" wide by 1/2 inch. Hi Elisa, If the floor feels "spongy" check to see if the floor is too tight to the walls where it gives. I though it was a temperature thing causing the bubble, but it may have been b/c there was cold air getting blown under it. Flooring manufacturers have experimented with different ways of attaching panels along a subfloor, such as gluing and nailing each floor piece to the concrete below. It does sound like concrete typically would have low and high spots that could end up giving a feel of "variable give" depending on location on the floor, although maybe no different than a plywood sub floor. A flat surface would be one which falls within the manufacturer's specifications for a flat surface. No one likes the feel of a supposedly solid floor bouncing or sagging underfoot. 2.3K views View 3 … Floating floors should not have any flex in them at all. They are not made to hide bad subfloors. Trying to decide between carpet and floating engineered hardwood and have been reading horror stories about floating floors that feel like trampolines. Plywood, ceramic tile, linoleum floors, and concrete are no problem for a floating floor installation. Maybe it keeps it from banging loudly when you walk across, but you still feel the bounce. Some people, including myself, find the experience unacceptable. Well the flooring overlapped the vent by about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Flattening requires properly pouring self-leveling underlayment, or troweling a filler, and possibly grinding down high spots. Do I have to pull the linoleum up to find of the flooring is rotted or is there another fix? How much movement do you normally feel in a floating type floor installed over foam underlayment? Would be interested to see what happens with your floor surfer. It was spongy to the point the pedal went to the floor and it was taking about 5 times longer to come to a stop. In a situation like this, what would be the best way to determine if the install was done correctly? New PergoXP Laminate flooring is bouncy (video to show). The installer did do some leveling. How to fix a spongy floor in a motorhome, RV or caravan using a non expanding glue This is one of the most common of floating floor … Show Less. Yes very much like walking on spongy ground. Yes, it was humidity related - and yes, they did not leave enough expansion room around the edge. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. This issue can be minimized with a perpendicular beam. We are laying 120 m2 over 2 levels, im just worried that it will have a spongy feel under foot. It's being put under stress with every bit of traffic that bounces it. The tile was ripped up prior to installation of the engineered bamboo. While some of them can be addressed easily, you may still need to hire professionals to help you out. However, what is normal movement for a floating floor is that which occurs after it is installed over a flat surface. The underlayment was intended to serve as a humidity barrier, insulator, sound deadener and softener. It is a great option for when you need to install over radiant heat systems. If you care about the feel of the floor glue down is an excellent option. Last two posts are right on the money here! He then pulled up a number of the 5" planks and used a self leveling compound in that area. I think air getting pushed up under the floor when it would kick on. These floors tend to have a bit less give though, making them slightly less comfortable to walk across. A previous installation of a floating floor on a wooden joist-supported surface can develop bounce from a weakening of the joists themselves. Rather, it is a method of installing a floor. Some people, including myself, find the experience unacceptable. Show More. Any obvious slants to the subfloor should be filled in with small amounts of concrete. Flex=not a flat surface=improper prep. Individual planks, boards, andin rare casestiles attach to each other, not to the subfloor. My hubby installed a laminate floor In places it feels spongy, is this normal? Often this is the primary reason for excessive give. I believe I found part of the problem. Homeowners can install a long beam at a 90-degree angle to the joists; each joist will lift the floor above to minimize bounce. For starters, a floating floor is floating. We thought a good underlayment / padding would provide additional insulation and give it an overall softer feel over concrete, but didn't expect a feeling of distinct movement. I had a 1/2" tongue and groove flooring that I pulled out and replaced with 1/4 "click" flooring. (When the weather got hot outside and I started using the A/C the buckling decreased significantly, then got worse when the drizzle returned.) But more importantly, they did not install a T-bar transition when the distance exceeded 30 feet - it would have looked terrible, as there's not a good place to have interruped the flow of the floor. This condition allows the floor to give slightly when you step. However, what is normal movement for a floating floor is that which occurs after it is installed over a flat surface. When you step where a piece of wood lies beneath the plywood, it feels solid; when you step between the wood, it feels spongy. Our room is on a concrete slab with asbestos tile adhered to the concrete. After the floor had already been partially down we discovered significant movement in what was to be a high traffic area. It is common to feel vertical movement, or a spongy feeling when walking across a floating wood floor. This helps give the floor a more solid feel and sound and removes that spongy underlayment. They may attach with glue or by snapping together. I have walked around the trailer and don't feel this problem … Today, I notice when someone walks on a certain section, you can see the floor dips down under their weight and feels kind of squishy (best way to describe it). Lowes is now stocking the Cali Bamboo???? Could possibly use a thin strip of wood to fill the holes and make it … This makes nailing down each length of flooring unnecessary. No way to answer your question without inspecting the floor. Everything I have read says it should be a floating floor, but it seems so squishy. Even when they estimated or installed it, no one really took a 4 foot or 6 foot level to the floor. 1 hour ago. I laid down a Pergo Laminate Wood Floor and it feels very wierd. Learn more. 8 years ago. Thanks again. My neighbor has the same thing. Other causes of a floating feeling include atrial fibrillation or temporomandibular joint dysfunction disorder. One of the local BOX stores..."LOWES" had dropped Bamboo because of the issues (Knew the flooring manager at the time). I feel as though the ground is not solid and sinking away beneath me when i walk. Is this to be expected with floating floors? However, these floors can be subject to bounce if the subfloor is not perfectly level. A springy or spongy feeling could indicate a minor issue, a major problem or no problem at all. Floating floors are a very easy flooring system for a DIY homeowner to install as part of a weekend project. Many installers are not installers and consumers suffer for this! Feels like the floor is moving anxiety symptom can range in intensity from slight, to moderate, to severe. Yeah, it's normal. I noticed when it was the worst, it was really cold. Was your flooring installed over a flat surface? There are also some irregularities in the concrete that may accentuate the movement in some areas. Exotic and durable, bamboo curtain rods and rings make for an easygoing look at an affordable price, Organic materials, garden views and clean lines create calm and harmonious interiors for a Pacific Palisades family, This serene kitchen opens up to reveal well-organized storage areas for a family that likes to cook and entertain, Two glass sides bring spectacular scenes into this newly industrial modern home on the water, Get the Pros and Cons of Oak, Ash, Pine, Maple and Solid Bamboo, See why an engineered wood floor could be your best choice (and no one will know but you), Get small-space design ideas from a modern dream home afloat on the harbor, Carpeting, runner or bare wood? No way to answer your question without inspecting the floor. Floating engineered hardwood floor feeling squishy?!? The squeaks could have been totally prevented if the builder had installed coarse-threaded screws through the subfloor into the floor joists just before the … The floor was professionally installed through the store we bought the product from (they have been very responsive to repairing the splitting and buckling but we are tired of the need and it never stays "fixed.") There's an underlay that acts as a bit of a shock absorber. Houzz Tour: Modern Houseboat in Vancouver, B.C. If the sub floor is not strong enough to span the distance between the floor joist, trusses or supporting beams, then sponginess may occur. But we've never had a floating floor either. Forgot to check for bouncyness as I went. Spongy Subfloor - posted in Problems, Solutions & After Market: We bought our 2002 25RSS used about one year ago. should i use 6" or 8" plank tiles for a balcony 18'x10'. Floating bamboo floor failed....need to pull up and start over! For the flooring industry, that is ¼ inch in 10 feet or ⅛ inch in 6 feet. Another option to minimize bounce on a floating floor over a wooden joist-supported subfloor is attaching beams in parallel to the joists. Guess what ????? Homeowners can place a level at various points along the subfloor to verify that the subfloor has a constant, flat surface. This introduced a certain amount of bounce. If the floor is glued, the glue may tend to crack when the floor is first used. Reducing bounce on concrete subfloors requires preparation before the panels are installed. Its very subtle and only noticeable when you walk on the seams of the flooring. Ceramic tile like real hard wood is not an option as we can't place the proper subfloor in kitchen due to appliances and I'd really love to avoid vinyl tile. Most floating floors will feel "different" when walked on. Am hoping it is something that won't damage the boards, and it's disappointing to. It still dips a bit but it could be b/c it was being held up for the last week by an air pocket. This type of flooring system features tongue and groove joints on the sides of each floorboard that fit very nicely into each other. No where in your description is any mention of leveling the existing floor before install. Most floating floors will feel "different" when walked on. Glen is right also as a floater will have a feel that is different, but I am guessing it is dips and high spots. I let my uncle look at the car as he is a mechanic who has had training working on Mercedes. Many people specify and prefer living on a floating wood floor due to this “soft” … These "secondary" floor coverings are supposed to float, meaning they should not actually be fixed to the flat surface underneath. Even leveling the subfloor can still result in a bouncy floating floor. Everything has been fine except about a month ago I noticed that the floor near the front door of the trailer is a little soft right at the entrance. Nailing the long beam to the joist will add to its strength and help to support the floor above. Ideally, homeowners should lay quality underlayment or plywood onto the subfloor prior to locking the floor into place. The question comes down to - when one walks on our new kitchen floor there is a feeling of bouncy and depression of the bamboo planks that doesn't feel quite right. 5 ... all the answers are wrong the reason its sponge because you did not even out the sub floor underneath you could snap it back of put some filler down and snap back the laminate in place that should be all you need laminate floor… Are there flooring experts out there that can give an objective opinion? Answer Save. I've heard many installer say, Nah, you don't need to do all that, just use a good-quality, thick foam underlayment to even everything out...Well, it doesn't. If this type of floor is glued directly down do they feel more solid. Thus, your subfloor has low spots and the laminate “floats” above the floor until you step on the low spots and your weight pushes laminate down to make contact with the subfloor. Thanks all. Surface water can also cause warping or buckling; water should never be used to clean a floating floor. If floating floors are installed without a proper moisture barrier between it and the subsurface, accumulated moisture from water vapor or water damage can cause edge-warping or buckling. I think it really depends on the flooring type too. Houzz Call: Have a Beautiful Small Bathroom? I'm have a similar situation, but installed the floor myself. A laminate floor that feels spongy can be caused by any of these 5 conditions: an uneven sub-floor, an underlayment issue, an expansion gap issue, water damage, or termite damage. My real complaint is mostly about not being informed by the seller and experts to the potential of an outcome from what is a non level concrete floor, and to the cost of guaranteeing that it will be level and to feel it is solid but not bouncy. Check out these ideas for matching your staircase floor treatment to upstairs and downstairs flooring, Corner sinks, floating vanities and tiny shelves — show us how you’ve made the most of a compact bathroom, Whether you sway toward South Pacific or float to a moodier blue, turquoise will land you on the shores of happy, Evoke Laid-Back Style With Bamboo Curtain Rods, Houzz Tour: Bamboo Gardens Inspire a Serene California Home, Kitchen of the Week: Bamboo Cabinets Hide Impressive Storage, Houzz Tour: Big Bay Views Buoy a Seattle Floating Home, Your Floor: An Introduction to Solid-Plank Wood Floors. Even if you left enough space, it could have expanded. The installer did a very nice job on the fit, appearance and trim work but the softness and movement was not something I expected. I'll be the first to admit, that is not always achievable to perfection, with some concrete slabs, without $1000's of floor prep. Is laminate flooring spongy? Feeling like you are walking into the unknown and not sure if your legs are going to give way does not give you much confidence. A spongy feel underfoot might indicate that the subfloor is not securely attached to the floor joists. For the best support, the beam should be supported by two posts at the endpoints of the beam, such as flush against a wall. If you would have discovered the spongy feel during a walk-through just after the framing was complete, simple engineering solutions could have been enacted at a low cost. We Want to See It! A large defining point of a home is its flooring, from carpet to laminate types. But as I have come to appreciate, a floating floor that's expected to "float" (expand and contract) over a big distance just doesn't work. Not laterally, but vertically. Background: We had engineered Mohawk strand bamboo click and lock planks installed as a floating floor in our kitchen. Should this be considered normal? The subfloor flatness requirements for a floating floor are the same as for a glue down floor. How to Install a False Floor Over a Basement Slab, Hardwood Installer: Locking Hardwood Floor Systems, How to Fix Floor Deflection for Ceramic Tile, How to Install Solid Wood Floors in Basements. Writing professionally since 2010, Amy Rodriguez cultivates successful cacti, succulents, bulbs, carnivorous plants and orchids at home. this means that it has the capability of moving below your feet. Did lots of research and then the concrete leveling and grinding down, but what I thought would be acceptable low spots have turned out not to be. Sorry to put you through all the detail. I believe both the installer and the flooring business that he works for would stand behind it, but I'd like to know if there is an issue before raising it. Floating hardwood floors can be installed above, below, or on grade. I can tell when I'm walking on it that it's not secure. In fact when I watch my wife walk on it, I can see it bend and move where her feet are. We are getting renos done and I am looking at getting the Swiss Krono aquastop 14mm floating floors. Floating floors also work over just about any subfloor. A large defining point of a home is its flooring, from carpet to laminate types. Read below for more information on causes and treatment options. I am pretty sure it's from the dips and bumps in the slab that are not flat. I just had engineered hardwood floor installed in my house about a few days ago. However if the brake was pumped while braking, I would get my full brake force. Each joist will need one long parallel beam, not several separate wooden lengths. In the photo you'll notice an air vent cut in the floor. That's the theory behind them – the look of a timber floor, but feels softer to walk on. 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