How to fix a floorboard that has lifted?

[Anthony_]

My internal living room floor boards have risen in one particular place per the photos below. I first noticed a small crack and rise some months ago but this has gotten progressively worse and in particular over the last month or so.

Would you have any advice as to:

1. What may be the cause?
2. Any flooring specialists or contractors you would recommend to assess / fix?  

thanks! 

 

 

[EricL]

Hi @Anthony_

Thanks for sharing your question about your floorboard. Can you please tell us a little bit more about your flooring? Is it real timber flooring or is it clip on artificial flooring? If it is a clip-on system this particular type of damage occurs when the flooring system has not been given enough room to expand. As with most floating floor systems, they expand and retract during the change in temperature during the day.

However, if it has been installed too close to the wall you get a phenomenon called buckling. This small damage is a preview of what will occur if the problem is not addressed. To repair the floor the skirting boards must be removed to investigate if the previous installer did not follow the recommended installation methods. 

If there are no gaps between the floor and the wall, the outer panels must be trimmed by 10mm. This will give you a gap between the floor and the wall, this cut must be carried out on all the sides of the flooring where it meets up with a wall. This would also be a good time to address the buckled piece in the flooring. 

Removing the damaged piece requires that it either be cut out or taken off the assembly by disassembling the flooring. If you're keen to give this a go you'll need either a circular saw or a multitool to cut the floor panels. You'll also need Capitol Laminate Floor DIY Installation Kit. Before you begin please make sure that you have exactly the same type of flooring to replace the damaged ones.

But if you wish to have someone else do it, I suggest posting the job on either Hipages or Airtasker.

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to lay laminate flooring 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Noyade]

@Anthony_ 

I've also found if the surface below the floating floor area is not level, constant foot traffic with regular flexing of the boards can end in the joint fracturing.

In the distance - on your photos - is that a sliding door?

[Anthony_]

Thanks for this - I have posted on HiPages / Airtasker but no luck yet! Any idea / recommendations of a flooring installer / handyperson? 

[EricL]

Hi @Anthony_

I suggest trying out your friends and family network. You never know if a family member or friend might know of someone who has recently had their flooring done. To improve your hit rate on Hipages and Airtasker, I suggest adding as much detail as you can about the problem you want to have fixed.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric