buckling & lifting floating floors

Our home inspectors can help you identify issues with floating floors that commonly occur. Primarily, floating floors can lift or buckle due to a variety of reasons, including:

1. Moisture: Floating floors are usually made of a high-density fiberboard core that can easily absorb moisture. If the subfloor is damp, or if there is excess humidity in the room, the moisture can seep into the laminate and cause it to expand, resulting in buckling.
2. Improper installation: Floating floors must be installed correctly, including leaving enough space for expansion around the edges. If the installation is not done properly, the flooring can buckle or lift.
3. Subfloor issues: The subfloor must be level and free of any debris or bumps. If the subfloor is uneven, it can cause the floating floors to buckle.
4. Heavy objects: If heavy objects are placed on the laminate flooring, it can cause the flooring to buckle or lift.
5. Poor quality flooring: Cheap floating floors may not be able to withstand heavy use and can buckle or lift more easily.

To prevent floating floors from lifting or buckling, it is important to properly prepare the subfloor, install the flooring correctly, and avoid exposing it to moisture and heavy objects. Contact a licensed home inspector to help you evaluate the root cause of your flooring issues.