The installation of my new hardwood (engineered) floor finished today. When I walked across the floor this evening, I noticed that it wasn't solid. There were soft spots (so to speak). At one point in the center, I can actually see the plank dip as I bounce on it. There are some creaking noises as I walk in certain spots too.

The floor is a glueless floating floor -- A friend of mine said said I should expect some creaking and softer spots (it feels like dips underneath). Really? Seems like this cannot be industry standard. Fortunately, I haven't paid anyone yet...Can this be fixed??

Thanks!

Industry standard for substrate flatness, is 3/16 of an inch, in 10 feet, and for smaller areas, an 1/8 of an inch, in 6 feet. The manufacturer may have their own standards to follow, which superceed, industry standards.

This means that the substrate is not up to that spec, and will eventually cause major problems later if the area has constant traffic over it. The tongues may bust off or separation of the joints can happen.

Fact is, it wasn't installed to specifications. There are some substrates that will never meet that spec, unless the home is totally re-engineered, and sometime rebuilt totally!!! In those cases, that type of flooring would be considered misspecification of the product, meaning you should have chosen carpet.

Thanks, Floorguy.

I called the company this morning and will be having the owner walk over the floor with me. He did say this morning that I needed to let the floor settle a bit. Is this an excuse or the truth?

The subfloor is gypcrete, and at the condo, we cannot do anything but float hardwood floors. I just want to make sure that my floating installation is done correctly -- I called another company and they said it was normal to have some bounce in certain spots! Is this true??

At this point, what should I demand the company do to fix the floor?

Dang, sounds like no one in your area knows what or how to properly prep a substrate for floating laminate or wood flooring.

Flexing and movement is the start of the failure. Separation from the flexing is next. It may not happen tomorrow, next week or next month, but the flexing will make it separate.

You are right, Floorguy -- I have found it difficult in the DC area to find good, honest craftsmen in all areas. Once I find one, I hang on!

So what do I do now? How can the company fix the soft spots? I want to have an idea, so I don't sound clueless when I talk with them this week. I have a feeling I am going to have to make some pretty serious demands.

Also, I have to tell you, just from when they finished yesterday until today, the floor feels better. There are less soft spots today than yesterday. Can you explain this?

Thanks!

After a good night sleep, I'm not so wound up about bad things that happened the day before, either.