If a laminate floor creaks, what to do, how to eliminate extraneous sound without dismantling the flooring? Laminate creaks - what to do indiscriminately: causes of a creak when walking in an apartment and how to eliminate them Causes of a creak of laminate floors

Less than six months ago, in all our rooms, a hired brigade installed a Kronostar Superior 32 class laminate on a screed. For the coating, they bought a coniferous substrate, they chose 7 mm to make it warmer. When we entered the apartment for the first time, a slight rattle was heard here and there, but the master reassured us that the new coating would still "sit" in place. Already 5 months have passed, but everything is still, and in some places even worse. I don't want to dismantle the floor. How to fix this defect as soon as possible and with minimal cost?

Answer

Why does it creak

Laminate parquet with a glueless joining system is assembled into a monolithic floor using locks. However, if after installation the coating crunches, squeaks, it means:

1. The laying technology is violated: uneven base, crumbling screed, incorrectly selected substrate, lack of expansion gaps around the perimeter, etc.;
2. A poor-quality coating with crooked locks, broken by the geometry of the planks was selected;
3. Not respected climatic conditions operation of the coating.

Since you do not have a floor heating system installed, and you have chosen a reliable manufacturer, the reason for the appearance of extraneous sounds is precisely in violation of the laying technology. It is difficult to say something about the screed without disassembling the coating. But the problem (and perhaps not the only one) is definitely in the underlying layer.

The substrate serves as a protective damper for honey by the base and laminated parquet, slightly levels the differences in the subfloor (but not more than 2 mm for every 2 meters of the surface), and ensures comfortable operation of the coating. It is NOT a full-fledged sound and thermal insulation material, DOES NOT replace self-leveling finishing floors or leveling flooring made of gypsum fiber board, plywood, chipboard.

Manufacturers on the insert in each pack of laminate indicate - the maximum allowable thickness of the backing is 3 mm. The optimum is 2 mm. That is, initially, the purchase of softwood mats with a section of 7 mm was a mistake. The craftsmen actually created a springy underlying layer, due to which the planks bend in the load area and the locks begin to crack and break.

Unfortunately, in order to get rid of the defect, you will have to completely disassemble the coating, remove the backing, carefully prepare the base in accordance with the requirements of the manufacturer and SP 29.13330.2001 / SNiP 3.04.01-87 "Floors", purchase a new underlying layer 2-3 mm thick and reassemble the slats in the same order as they were before.

How to fix a creak without disassembly

To eliminate crunching and creaking in local (rare) areas, you can use the experience of parquet installers:

1. Dismantle 1-4 damaged (constantly creaking) strips and install new ones.
2. Introduce a sealing or adhesive mass under the coating by injection.

Let's take a closer look.

The first option allows you to correct mistakes made during the preparation of the floor, such as pits, potholes, sagging, bumps, etc. The following set of tools and materials will be required:

• grinder (circular saw, jigsaw),
• chisel or crowbar,
• new backing and laminate,
• glue-sealant or gel for sealing joints.

With the help of a power tool, a part of the plate is cut out, the cut off element of the strip is pryed on with a chisel and removed. The base is cleaned of old substrate, debris, sand and dust. Further, floor defects are eliminated: the holes should be filled with quick-drying repair compositions, and the bumps should be removed with sandpaper or simply cut off construction knife, with a steel spatula. After drying and cleaning from dust, the base must be primed, covered with a substrate. At the new plank, cut off the protruding part of the locking ridge, apply glue or sealant, insert into the opening and fix. If excess adhesive is squeezed out onto the surface, they must be immediately removed with a soft, slightly damp cloth, and the lamella must be loaded for 24-48 hours.

The laminate flooring collections are updated annually, so after a long time you may not find the exact same laminate. In this case, try to find a suitable thickness and shade. And even better - immediately purchase a few pieces for future repairs.

The second method is simpler, but with its help you can eliminate the squeak at only one point. Would need:

1. Drill or screwdriver.
2. Filler or adhesive compound. It can be PVA glue, sealing compound for Bindulin Parkett-Dicht or Tarkett Click Guard joints, Bostik PK PROFI-SEAL SMP wood joint sealant or Bostik 3071 Cork, Eurocol Parquet Doctor or Stauf Repamed repairing parquet adhesive for eliminating voids, expanding repair polyurethane Adesiv Adegloss 10 or Vermeister Polifoam. It is undesirable to use polyurethane foam, since under load it quickly settles, moreover, it crumbles over time.
3. Syringe or gun for injection.
4. Masking tape or paper tape.
5. Sealant for wood or repair wax with melter and rubber spatula to restore the plank.

Filling compounds for parquet, laminate, parquet boards.

In the defective place, you need to drill a hole with a drill, remove the dust. Stick masking tape on top of the coating. Inject the filling compound with a syringe or using a nozzle, load the laminated parquet so that the mass is distributed over the voids, remove the excess along with the tape. After 2-6 hours, fill the hole with sealant or wax and level the surface. For reliability, you can apply a small amount of matte or glossy varnish on top with a thin brush.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for their selection. Just submit in the form below detailed description works that need to be completed and offers with prices from construction teams and firms will come to your mail. You can see reviews about each of them and photos with examples of work. It is FREE and non-binding.

Today, a huge number of types of flooring are available, but laminate is especially popular. It is perfect for arranging any room.

Such material is distinguished by its positive characteristics, among which are:

• Aesthetics;
• Stylishness;
• Durability;
• Easy to lay.

But often a problem arises when the laminate begins to make unpleasant sounds, if of course you step on it. It is possible to eliminate the creak of the laminate, further information and images will be provided on how to fix such a nuisance.

The main reasons for the squeak

To begin with, it is worth noting that the unpleasant sounds that the laminate makes will not just spoil your mood. After a while, the coating will begin to deteriorate due to them and most likely the floor will need to be changed.

Laminate squeaking may occur immediately after installation. There are several reasons for this squeak, the most common being improper installation.

Unevenness of the base

Often the coating is laid on concrete base or uneven surface:

• With significant differences in height in different parts of the room;
• With depressions;
• And also with concrete layering.

In such a situation, you should not think for a long time about the cause of the squeak. Even if after installation you do not hear any sounds, be sure that an uneven surface will soon present them to you.

Some people solve this problem by using a laminate underlay. It will help level the base if there are no significant irregularities on the surface, otherwise this method will not help.

Uncleaned base

The second reason for the squeakiness of the laminate can be hidden in the panel lock. In most cases, it is this part of the coating that squeaks unpleasantly.

The cause of the creak of the laminate may be an uncleaned base, namely if, before installation, there are:

1. Small pebbles;
2. Sand;
3. Other general or construction waste.

Immediately after installation, the flooring will most likely not emit extraneous sounds, because the substrate retains its elasticity and shape for some time. But over time, it will surely sag and then you won't have to wait long for a cod. In this case, when walking barefoot, the creak of the laminate will be especially loud.

No space

Cracking can occur even on an expensive and high-quality surface. If there is no gap between the wall and the flooring around the perimeter of the entire room, then none of the characteristics of the laminate will help in such a situation.

Important! The absence of a small gap will lead to the fact that the slabs will soon expand a little and rest against the baseboard.

As a rule, when walking, the panels will rub against its edge, making an unwanted sound.

Under high load, the lack of a gap has a detrimental effect on the panel locks, so you can also hear a crackling sound from them.

Poor quality material

Cheap and low-quality coverage will definitely fill your home with extraneous sounds. The creak of such material cannot be eliminated in any way, even if you carry out an ideal and professional installation.

Helpful information ! Therefore, when buying a laminate, it is better to give preference to trusted manufacturers. The price of such a product is slightly higher, but on the other hand, it will not bring you such problems that cheap coverage would present.

By purchasing quality products, you protect yourself from:

• Slots;
• Squeak;
• Swelling of the floor;
• Cracks.

How to beat a creak

Well, now you know about the main causes of laminate squeak. Now let's look at how to fix such a problem, while spending a minimum of time and money.

We provide clearance

For example, unpleasant sounds appeared due to the fact that the installation was carried out incorrectly and there was no gap between the wall and the panels. It is possible to cope with a creak in such a situation and it is very simple to do it.

To fix the problem, you will need to complete the following tasks in strict sequence:

• Carefully remove the skirting board;
• Dismantle the plates that are adjacent to the wall;
• Using a circular saw, cut off the required part of each panel. Remember that the resulting gap should not exceed 1.5-2 centimeters;
• After that, you can put the panels, and then the baseboard in place.

Council. Cracking can also occur from behind the skirting board itself. Often it fits snugly against the panels, so in this case it is better to fix it slightly higher above the floor surface. Then the plates will not come into contact with it and no extraneous sounds will arise.

As you can see, this procedure is very simple to carry out. If the room is large in area, then it will be somewhat more difficult and longer to work, but on the other hand, such actions will prevent not only creaking, but also swelling of the coating.

Removing debris from under the cover

If the installation is done correctly, all the rules are taken into account, the required clearance is observed, but the floor still emits extraneous sounds, then the problem is different. Most likely there is debris under the cover. It is also possible to resolve this issue, but this can be done only by dismantling the flooring.

Council.If you used an expensive and high-quality laminate, then it is not recommended to remove and put it back. It is better to be patient for a while, the debris will wear off over time and the sounds will disappear.

But this method still has a significant drawback - when the debris is frayed, the inside of the panels can seriously suffer from this.

To clean the base, you will need to perform the following steps in a strict order:

1. Remove the panels;
2. Remove the backing;
3. Carefully clean the base, removing even the smallest residues of debris and dust. For perfect cleaning it is better to use a vacuum cleaner. Finally, wipe the resulting surface with a damp cloth;
4. Put a new substrate (exactly a new one, since the old one is already damaged by debris and it is better to throw it away).

Advice... If you manage to identify the place from which the creak is heard, then repair only this area. Drastic measures should be taken only if the crackling sound is heard all over the floor.

After the steps taken, the laminate can be laid. But before that, wipe its locks and end parts with a slightly damp cloth, because there may also be sand, dust or other dirt. Basically, the above tasks to remove any possible dirt and squeak will disappear.

Helpful information! If an unpleasant sound is heard only near the wall, then you will not need to remove the laminate.

This problem can be solved simply by inserting a small piece of cardboard into the space between the laminate and the wall. This method is very effective, but it should only be used in this case.

If it is necessary to level the base

But what if squeaking is caused by an uneven base surface? In this case, you will have to set yourself up for serious work. To solve this problem, it will be necessary to carry out a large-scale and complete repair.

It won't be easy, but you can't choose another option. Before installing the panels, it was necessary to pay more attention to leveling the bases.

Well, such work is carried out by the following actions in the following sequence:

• First, the flooring must be completely disassembled;
• Then remove the backing;
• Next, you need to lay out a cement-sand screed on the base of the floor, which will level the problem surface;
• After the screed has completely dried, you will need to apply a layer of self-leveling coating.

If in your case the base is wooden, then you will need to cycle it or apply a thick piece of plywood or chipboard.

Laminate flooring looks modern, elegant, and, it would seem, does not require special skills when laying. But is it really so? For any repair and construction work, it is important not to forget the fact that before starting a business, you need to study it in detail. Laying laminate flooring is no exception. Not careful and not neat work leads to the appearance of an unpleasant squeak under your feet. Let's look at why the laminate creaks, find out the origins of the appearance of extraneous sounds and possible options elimination.

The main reasons for the appearance of coating squeaks

The first reason. The most popular reason is the unfair preparation of the substrate before covering the floor of the room. Most people make this mistake by deciding that the negligence will not be noticed. You may not hear a creak under your feet, but a crunch. The reason for this is the trash left behind. To prevent this problem, the floor must be thoroughly cleaned before laying. Do not be lazy and confine yourself to a broom, you will need a vacuum cleaner or a wet rag to completely remove dirt and dust.
How to solve the problem if there is debris under the laminate? It will require a complete dismantling of the coating and careful, even meticulous cleaning of the base floor. There should be no dust, grains of sand, shavings, sawdust and other debris on the surface. A clean base floor is a guarantee of no squeaks after installing the laminate.

Second reason also poor-quality preparation of the floor before laying. In this case, you hear exactly the creak, and it appears when you move around the room. This problem was caused by the uneven floor. There are depressions under the laminate with a depth of more than 2 mm per one square meterthat you step on when walking, causing deformation of the coating. At the junction of the locks, laminate strips are displaced, which is why we hear a creak. Long-term use will result in broken lock connections and deformation of the seams.

This kind of problem can only be solved by a complete analysis of the coating and subsequent installation, as in the first case.

Eliminating the root cause depends on the actual condition of the base floor, which you will see after removing the laminate and backing. If the pits on the base slightly exceed a depth of 2 mm, then they can be eliminated using a gypsum putty and a wide spatula. Otherwise, leveling with self-leveling floors or may be required. Leveling the floor before laying any flooring is rule number one and should not be forgotten.

Third reason squeaky laminate - expansion joints are not made correctly. During the installation process, the seams are not given due attention, although this is an important element of the coating technology. There are errors such as missing or incorrectly sized expansion joints. Squeaking is the best option in this case. It will be much worse when your cover is bulging.

If even in one place, the laminate rests against the wall, you are guaranteed a creak. As well as in the second reason, extraneous sounds occur when walking due to the displacement of the locks relative to each other. There are two ways to deal with this situation. With a one-time stop of the laminate against the wall, you just need to pick up a hammer or chisel and cut off the covering or wall element that rests on the wall. If the problem occurs along the entire length of the room, you will need a grinder or whatever. It is necessary to disassemble the extreme row of lamellas, file them along the contact line by 8-10 mm, and then put them back.

Remember to clean the floor thoroughly after cutting to avoid squeaks.

Fourth reason- outdated wood flooring under the laminate. Of course, in such a situation it is difficult to determine the true cause of the squeak: it is the floor itself or the floor under it. The search for the problem should start by inspecting the surface of the laminate and checking the expansion gaps. Everything is in order, and the laminate flexes when walking, which means the source of the squeak is under the coating. If there is an old wooden floor, then there is a high probability that it is he who gives you inconvenience. Such a result had to be foreseen before the start of the installation, since it is quite laborious to remove the sound after it.

To solve this problem, you need to remove the laminate. The fastening of the wooden floor must be strengthened in the places where the floorboards are attached to the joists. At an angle, screw the self-tapping screws into each board, where it connects to the logs. It is better to replace old rotten boards. After that, make sure that the base has stopped squeaking. Next, check the surface for evenness and put the laminate back in place.

This is a common cause and is much easier to deal with before laying the flooring.

Fifth reason. A squeak may start due to changes in humidity. The sound will not be heard locally, but around the entire perimeter of the coverage. In this case, it is worth waiting for the change of season. If you made repairs in the summer, wait until winter, and vice versa. Over time, the laminate will get used to the new microclimate, and the creak will stop. If this did not happen, then you will have to remove the cover and continue to search for the cause.

Sixth reason. There is another option for squeaky laminate - this is its poor quality. Panel edges and locks have imprecise geometry. They do not fit snugly against each other during installation. Because of this, dust and sand from the floor surface gets into the crevices, causing a squeak when walking. Manufacturers from China often sin this. The cheapness of the laminate should alert you.

Approach the choice of coverage with all responsibility, if you do not want to enjoy serenades, during its life. You should not save, at least, on your peace of mind. The result of negligence in the purchase may not only be a squeak.

findings

In any case, laminate creaking is a problem that should be addressed before it occurs. You should not be negligent in the choice of material, specialists and process technology (if you decide to do the repair yourself). The process of laying laminate flooring is quite simple, but, like any other stage of finishing, it requires thorough preparation and a rational approach.

First, you shouldn't rush into buying a coating material. Secondly, be careful and careful before you start styling. Do not disregard any oversight, and the laminate will not creak for the entire service life.

After styling flooring an unpleasant problem may arise - the laminate creaks. This can occur due to the fact that certain installation requirements were violated during installation. If such a situation arises, then you have to figure it out and look for where the creak comes from. It is best to eliminate the cause without parsing the floor, because locks can be disposable and after parsing it will be necessary to buy new material.

Why does laminate creak

When laminate flooring makes different sounds, not everyone thinks about the causes of such problems. And there are a lot of them, such reasons include:

1. Violation of the rules for preparing the foundation.
2. Poor sub-floor condition.
3. Poor laminate quality.
4. Violation of the rules for laying the floor.
5. Poor choice of substrate or its complete absence.

If you do not follow all the rules for laying the base, then the appearance of various shortcomings is an expected phenomenon. Some of these problems can be eliminated indiscriminately, but sometimes partial or complete analysis is required. When parsing, there is a high probability of damage to the locks, as a result of which you will have to purchase additional material, and this will lead to an increase in the price of the laminate floor.

In order not to puzzle over the question of how to eliminate the creak of the laminate indiscriminately later, it is necessary to strictly follow all the rules for laying.

Laminate creaking due to poor substrate preparation

Sometimes, the creak of the laminate floor can be due to the fact that the original (sub) floor was in poor condition. If the coating was laid on a wooden floor, then it is necessary to check its condition before starting work. For this, the presence of cracks and rotten boards is checked. If the base is in an unsatisfactory condition, then alteration is necessary.

Before starting work, wooden floors need to be rallied. Rotten boards, even partially damaged ones, must be replaced. In the process, it is imperative to do alignment.

A concrete screed can have 2 problems:

1. Roughness - in this case, alignment must be done.
2. The old base can be destroyed. Most often, this option occurs if poor-quality concrete is taken.

If the base is old and began to collapse, then it is better to replace it. But such work is very laborious and financially costly. To correct the situation will help at least 6 mm thick. It is placed on the floor and secured. Then the laminate is laid. With the help of plywood, you can also level the wooden base.

Installation of plywood for laying laminate

If the shortcomings of the finished laminate base appeared due to a poor subfloor, then the entire structure will have to be disassembled. There will be no other way.

How to eliminate laminate creak indiscriminately

If the laminate starts to creak, then not in all cases it will be necessary to disassemble the floor to fix this problem. If you correctly determine the cause of the squeak, then in most cases you will not have to disassemble the panels, and eliminating the problem will not take much time.

Elimination of squeak when the ground is not level

If you clearly and correctly follow all the conditions for preparing the base for the laminate, then the likelihood of deficiencies is reduced significantly. All depending on the type of floor. Irregularities have a negative effect on the locks of the boards. If the laminate squeaks when walking, then the likelihood of an uneven floor increases. This problem needs to be fixed.

The most effective method will be drilling a small hole in the board. Next, a medical syringe is filled with PVA glue and this glue is injected into the hole.

It is better to fill it with a not very high speed until the glue comes out of the hole.

If glue gets on the edges of the hole, remove it. Then you need to leave the filling place for 3-4 hours. At this time, it is better not to walk on the floor so that the glue can seize.

As soon as the glue has set, you need to close the hole. For this, sealants or mastics are used, putties or self-adhesive films. Sealants and mastics can have colored bases, and therefore you can choose a composition that is most suitable in color to the laminate.

To create the maximum effect of an undamaged board, you need to remove the excess composition with a cloth, and process the hole with fine sandpaper, then polish with a cloth. For reliability, you can cover the board with a layer of colorless varnish.

Eliminate squeak by drilling laminate

Creak in the absence of a thermal gap

It happens that the sounds from the coating pass over the entire surface area. In this case, there is a high probability that the laminate was laid without observing the temperature gap. Such a gap must be left between the outer boards and the covering, since the laminate has the property of linear expansion. If the gap is small, then under the action of expansion, the locks begin to creak.

Correction of such a defect does not take much time of effort. To do this, you need to remove the skirting boards, and increase the size of the gap with a grinder. The coating does not need to be removed.

Laminate creaking in the absence of a thermal gap

Laminate locks creak

A very common cause of an unpleasant sound is a divergence or loose fit of locks. In the event of a discrepancy, a gap forms, which can sometimes touch another board, resulting in a sound. If the lock is loose, the same thing happens.

In this case, you can correct the situation without parsing the surface. To solve the problem, an adhesive composition is used, which is applied to the locks, and they try to move the boards towards each other. The surface is left for some time to harden the glue.

Sometimes, instead of glue, it makes sense to use polyurethane foam. It adheres much better and faster, and also holds the panels noticeably better. A big plus of the foam is that it is enough to apply it to the edges of the boards; due to expansion, it will reach the desired opposite edge by itself.

However, care should be taken when handling foam:

1. The joints must be wiped off dust.
2. Construction tape or masking tape is glued along the edge of the board. This is to prevent foam from staining the surface of the boards.
3. Foam is poured into the joint.
4. After some time, excess frozen foam is removed.

The joint surface can be painted over so that processing is not noticeable. Or a sealant or mastic of a suitable color is used.

We glue laminate locks

Laminate creak when laying on rubbish

When the owners of the house begin to wonder what to do if the laminate creaks, then it is important to remember how the room was cleaned before laying work.

After preparing the base, debris often remains and if large debris is removed, then such attention is not paid to dust and small debris. And this step is in vain. If there is sand under the laminate, then squeaking is quite possible. Therefore, thoroughly vacuum the sub-base and all gaps before installation. If the gaps are large, then they must be treated with filling compounds.

If it is found that the laminate crunches due to debris, then you can either dismantle the entire coating, or vacuum the laminate in places of contact with the wall. To do this, it is necessary to remove, and the covering can be slightly lifted in order to create a gap. You need to put the vacuum cleaner hose into this gap and try to remove the debris.

Creaks due to the backing

Such a moment can also be. This is because the wrong substrate was selected. Laminate is a "floating" floor system, this system requires an underlay. This element provides some softness to the floor and hides small unevenness in the subfloor. Choose a substrate depending on the material of manufacture and thickness. If the coating has creaked, then, most likely, the matter is in the wrong choice of the substrate thickness.

When choosing a thickness, it is important to remember that the larger this parameter, the greater the gap between the floor and the board. A large gap may squeak. Therefore, the substrate must be selected with a normal thickness.

The optimum thickness is 3-7 mm. the maximum parameter can be up to 10 mm. But everything is deplorable for the owners. In this case, it is required to dismantle the coating and replace the substrate with a thinner one. There are no other options for resolving the issue.

When choosing a laminate, it is important to remember that a low-quality coating can also squeak, so you need to choose a high-quality material. In many cases, it is impossible to do without dismantling the coating, therefore, in such a case, you need to pay attention to what locks the boards are equipped with.

There is a laminate on sale that can be dismantled up to several times. Of course, these options are more expensive, but it's better than buying new material again again.

This publication will help you understand and get an answer to the question: "Laminate creaks, what should I do?" Laminate flooring transforms any room, giving it a respectable look. But this new material, for a number of reasons, can become a source of certain inconveniences, for example, in the form of a creak of individual floorboards.

If the laminate creaks, what to do? This question arises for almost every homeowner, if such noise accompanies tenants when moving around the house. Do not think that such a phenomenon is the norm. This sad fact only says that the process technology was somehow violated during the installation of the floor covering. Any flaw that leads to unpleasant noises can be corrected, but only first you need to find out the reason for its occurrence.

Causes of squeaks of laminate flooring

It should be noted right away that even experienced specialists who have been installing this coating for a long time always talk about the "capriciousness" of the laminate, since it first of all requires a perfectly flat base.

Some customers refuse to heed the warnings of the master and ask to install on the existing base, without careful preliminary preparation. But this may be the first reason for the creak of the laminate. However, it also happens that everything goes well, and the coating lasts for many years without any negative manifestations.

Cases are quite common when work is carried out in full accordance with all developed technologies and on an absolutely flat base, and, after it correct styling, still makes unpleasant sounds to the ear. Sometimes, after some time, the panels rub against each other, sit down and the creak subsides, but this does not always happen, and you have to make efforts and look for a way out of this situation.

There may be several reasons for the noise and squeak, and it is not enough just to list them. You should consider each of them separately in order to figure out how to deal with the noise of the coating.

An uneven or unstable base

As mentioned above, the most common cause of squeak is an uneven or wobbly base for laying the material. To be sure that it does not cause an unreliable squeaky floor, although covered with expensive laminate, it is imperative to level it.

One of the most common reasons is an uneven base surface

If, nevertheless, the laminate has already been laid on an unprepared base, and a creak has appeared in some of its sections, it means that in these places the base of the unevenness (grooves) is maximum, and the decorative coating gets the opportunity to bend when a load is applied to its surface. When you change the position of the panel while pressing it, friction occurs between the individual adjacent elements of the laminate floor, which causes a squeak.

If, when walking on the floor, the creak is heard not in certain areas, but practically on the entire surface, then the entire base absolutely requires

Eliminating the problem

• If a squeak appears on small areas of the floor, local repairs can be carried out by dismantling individual panels. To carry out the work neatly, you first need to remove the thresholds and baseboards that fix the laminate in the place of repair. When removing the covering panels, it is recommended to number them from the back, indicating the number of the row from the wall and the location of the element in the row, so that there would be no confusion during re-installation.

- After removing the laminate panels and making sure that it is the depression in the surface of the base that was the culprit for the squeak, the flaw must be eliminated.

- The leveling process is best done with a quick-setting mortar, which is leveled with a trowel to the overall level of the main floor

- After the mixture has dried, the leveled place must be sanded, since even a slight rise or depression may not fix, but aggravate the problem.

- On the dried surface of the base, thin cardboard is laid, the backing is returned and the laminate is re-mounted.

• If the coating sticks together everywhere, wherever they step on it, this means that the original installation was of poor quality. In this case, you will have to disassemble the cover completely.

• If the laminate was laid on a wooden floor, then it is possible that it was the plank base that caused the creak of the laminate, since the boards may lie unevenly or move away from the logs on which they are laid.

- In this case, you will have to do a great job... First of all, you will need to remove the skirting boards and thresholds, and then the entire laminate.

- Then you will have to inspect the wooden floor and find "problem" areas on it. Particular attention is paid to floorboards, which have obvious signs of "decrepit" wood, mold or mildew stains - such details are subject to unconditional replacement

- If it is not possible to carry out the scraping process, then the boardwalk can be leveled with plywood at least 10 mm thick. Plywood must be mounted on glue with self-tapping screws.

From above, the boards or sheets of plywood are covered with a substrate, on which the laminate is subsequently mounted according to all the rules of technology.

Video: several techniques for repairing or replacing laminated flooring

Wrong underlay selected

Typically, laminate panel manufacturers recommend substrate types - these tips should be followed

Garbage under the laminate

Cracking and squeaking when moving on the laminated surface can also occur if the base, before laying the flooring, has not been sufficiently cleaned of various debris, such as small pieces of construction waste, ordinary sand or small pebbles.

Poor cleaning is the direct cause of “noisy” laminate floors

Foreign elements caught under the laminate may not manifest themselves immediately, since they will still be covered non-sagging substrate... However, over time, under the influence of loads, the material of any substrate is necessarily crushed, and if even small solid fragments of debris remain under it, then when they come into contact with the laminate, creaks will be heard. Little of, decorative panels these can be damaged and will have to be completely replaced.

Due to such an oversight as a poorly cleaned base, it may be necessary to completely redo all the voluminous and costly work.

Eliminating the problem

To remove all unnecessary from the base, it is necessary to carry out the following manipulations:

• First, the skirting boards and sills are removed - this can only be done in those areas of the floor where a squeak is heard when pressed.
• Further, the entire coating is dismantled or only that part of it, under which it is necessary to clean.
• The next step is to remove the backing, which will most likely have to be replaced, as it may already be damaged by hard fragments of debris.
• Then, you need to thoroughly clean the base, and it is better if a vacuum cleaner is used for this, and then wet cleaning is also carried out.

• A new substrate is laid on a completely clean surface, and a laminate is laid on top.
• The final action is to secure the skirting boards and sills.

Sudden change in temperature and humidity

A sharp, abrupt change in one of the parameters characteristic of the existing normal microclimate in the room can also negatively affect. Under the influence of high humidity or drastic changes in temperatures, the decorative coating may begin to creak or even deform.

For example, after the cool autumn weather, the heating season begins, and the material must adapt to more high temperatures and dry indoor air. Humidity rises during rainy autumn and spring days, and its effect on laminate layers is especially detrimental. Floor panels can swell or shrink. It is these processes that lead to the appearance of unwanted sounds.

After the recent laying of the laminate and during the period of its adaptation to the conditions of a particular room, similar phenomena may also occur. In this case, there is no need to rush to correct them, since, perhaps, the material needs to be given time to "get used to" the new conditions.

If the laminate creaks only in the off-season, and at steady-state temperatures and humidity it “calms down”, then there is only one effective way to avoid this negative. It is necessary, if possible, to try to maintain the humidity and temperature in the premises all year round at the same level. Climate change can help with this. equipment - air conditioner and a humidifier, and control requires special measuring instruments - a thermometer and a hygrometer.

Lack of space

Laminate will not have enough space if the installation was immediately performed incorrectly, or rather, without leaving expansion gaps, right next to the walls. In this case, there is simply no free space to expand the material when the parameters of its environment change.

therefore experienced craftsmen know that along the entire perimeter of the room where the laminate is laid, a gap of 10 ÷ 12 mm must be left between the coating and the walls, depending on the area of \u200b\u200bthe room. In halls with a large coverage area, where volumetric skirting boards will look perfect and are able to close sufficiently large gaps, even 20 ÷ 30 mm recede from the walls.

In large rooms, gaps can even reach 20 - 30 mm

By the way, even special skirting boards are produced for the laminate, which have an elastic soft layer at the bottom. This is necessary so that when expanding, the material can easily move to the required distance. Well, if there is no gap at all, then not only creak and crackle, but also, possibly, significant deformations of the entire surface of the laminate will be provided.

Eliminating the problem

If the laminate starts to creak, check for gaps immediately. This can be done by removing one of the skirting boards. If there are simply no gaps, or they are extremely small (less than 5 mm), you need to urgently start correcting this violation during installation, otherwise the coating panels and their locking joints may be damaged, and you will have to seriously spend money on their replacement.

In order to correct the situation, you need to leave the gaps of the desired size. This is done as follows:

• Removable from all walls of the plinth.
• Next, the outer panels of the cover are dismantled. The required distance is measured on them, and the site is sawn off using a manual circular saw... Another option is to carefully perform this action on the spot, using a special hand-held electric tool (somewhat reminiscent of the work of a conventional grinder).

The second option is much more difficult to do - not even all masters have such a specialized tool, so it is better to use the first one.

• The dismantled trimmed panels must be reinstalled and then the skirting boards and sills must be fixed.

It should be noted that sometimes the skirting board itself can cause a squeak if it is very strongly pressed against the laminate. To correct this moment, you need to slightly raise the plinth, or better, fix a tape of thin polyethylene foam on its lower part, or purchase this trim element with an already existing soft bottom plane.

Low-quality laminate

Attempts to save money often lead to the purchase of low-quality flooring material. You should not expect a long-term service from such a laminate, since in the design of its locks there may be inaccuracies in manufacturing, and this panel element is very often the cause of a squeak.

The logic of people saving on quality is difficult to understand. Perhaps they are guided by the confidence that they will "carry it through", everything will work out and work out. It is possible that they have heard enough "good advice" from friends who have already walked this "slippery" path. But the logic here is clearly lame - high-quality material of the highest or first grade cannot be very cheap.

Even if at least one of the layers of the laminate is made of low-grade materials, this can cause delamination of the entire coating. Such material can generally react unpredictably not only to changes in temperature and humidity, but even to ordinary wet cleaning.

Video: an original technique for replacing a damaged laminated panel

Solution to the problem

To get rid of the creak of a low-quality laminate, you can take all the above methods of repairing it, but most the best option will replace the cover completely. Therefore, when choosing a decorative flooring, you must carefully study its characteristics and be sure to find out the warranty period that is set for it by the manufacturer. It is very important to purchase such materials from reputable hardware stores that do not allow counterfeit products on their shelves. And you can find out more in the publication of our portal specially dedicated to this issue.

New coating

The new laminate flooring must adapt not only to its environment, but also to the substrate as well as to the substrate. At first, it may not behave exactly as we would like, and when walking on it, creaking, rustling or clattering, slightly noticeable instability may appear. Experts say this is quite normal, as the laminate flooring should adhere well to the base surface. In the connecting locks, over time, the tension that arises during installation will be relieved individual elements... The laminate flooring is floating, that is, it is not fixed to the base and to the walls, and therefore must necessarily find and take its stable place in a confined space.

At first, the new coating can also make squeaks - this is not a "pathology"

If the process technology was fully observed during installation and the manufacturer's recommendations were not ignored, then after a certain time (usually no more than a month or two) the floors will settle down and stop “floating” and creaking. The stabilization period depends on the quality and material of the laminate, as well as on the backing and the type of substrate used during installation.

Of course, if after six months nothing changes, and the coating continues to be "capricious", then the matter is not at all in the novelty of the laminate - it is worth looking for one of the above reasons.

Prices for various types of laminate

Strict fulfillment of all the technological recommendations of the manufacturer of the selected model of laminated flooring is the main condition for the floor to please with its beauty, comfort and noiselessness for the longest time. Well, in order to get rid of the problems that have arisen during the operation, it is necessary to take one of the repair methods proposed above.

TOP 10 best laminate manufacturers

	A photo	Name	Rating	Price
Best laminate manufacturers from Europe
#1			⭐ 99 / 100
#2			⭐ 98 / 100
#3			⭐ 97 / 100
#4			⭐ 96 / 100
#5		Laminate Kronotex	⭐ 95 / 100
The best Russian manufacturers and joint ventures
#1		Quick-Step Laminate	⭐ 96 / 100
#2		Laminate Tarkett / Sinteros	⭐ 95 / 100
#3		Laminate Kronostar	⭐ 94 / 100
#4		Laminate Egger	⭐ 93 / 100
#5		Laminate Ritter	⭐ 92 / 100

A Swedish company that pioneered the manufacture of laminated flooring. The assortment includes laminate from 32 to 34 classes in 12 collections. Careful control over production allows the company to offer the consumer a high quality laminate flooring. Manufacturer's warranty for 25 years.

• high strength (TitanX system);
• a varied assortment for any interior;
• ease of installation (set of PerfectFoldTM 3.0 locks.);
• safe and environmentally friendly;
• moisture resistant and easy to clean;
• long service life.

• there is a risk of acquiring a fake;
• high price.

High quality Austrian laminate, made of 98% natural alpine spruce. The coating has high moisture resistance and resistance to mechanical stress, so it can be laid in rooms with high humidity and high traffic. Long service life up to 30 years.

• shock and moisture resistant (HDF base with a density of 950 kg / m3);
• a wide range of design solutions;
• operation up to 30 years.

• overpriced.

German quality laminated flooring. Laminate has high environmental performance. Thanks to Aqua Resis technology, the product is reliably and completely protected from moisture. Resistant to ultraviolet rays, fire resistant, does not emit when burning harmful substances for a person. The coating has load class 31-33.

• suitable for any room;
• treated with antistatic agent;
• the presence of a locking system (Top Connect and Lock Connect plus);
• has good sound insulation (TRITTY Silent CT);
• service life from 15 to 30 years, depending on the class.

• the laminate is styled only under a tree;
• high price.

Berry Alloc laminate from Belgian-Norwegian production combines excellent quality and inertness to any kind of impact on the substrate. The unique HPL technology was used for the release. The Best Lock Xtreme fastening system makes installation quite simple.

Laminate Berry Alloc