Hello, I am currently getting estimates to have laminate flooring installed throughout my condo. I currently have parquet flooring (I believe there is cement under that). I had some flooding because of a pipe problem about a year ago – since then some of the squares have come loose. One of the installers has recommended installing laminate over the parquet while the other has said I will have future problems if I don’t have the parquet removed. What are your recommendations?

what kind of problems? Plan on having another flood? refasten the loose peices and you will be fine. I wouldnt want to tear out a glued down floor if yo can avoid doing so huge pain and can be equally costly to do.

Yes, you will have future problems, if there is concrete under the parquet.

You will have to use a moisture barrier. Placing a moisture barrier ovetr the parquet, and you will cause the parquet to buckle under your laminate floor.

Tear out the parquet, or forever hold your peace.

I agree with Floorguy, and for the reasons he mentioned. The vapor barrier you install over the parquet and under the laminate will trap the naturally occurring vapor transmission in the wood parquet, causing it to buckle, warp and eventually rot. If you were over a wood subfloor, and had a vapor barrier in the crawlspace and the crawlspace was dry, you could probably get away without removing the parquet. But when you're on concrete, you cannot lay a laminate over wood.

Sorry, I was wrong there are very few concrete slabs in this part of the country and I am guilty of speed reading. Could you refasten the loose peices and glue down an engeneered to the parquet? Without the cost of demo you probally looking at a wash. You would have to scuff down the parquet of course but that would be quick and would help find any loose peices as well.