Hi, quick question. Our townhouse has a pre-finished floor installed, and we’re coming up on the one-year anniversary (Dec. 15). The floorboards run lengthwise from the front to back of the townhouse. I’ve noticed that there is a ridge between two floorboards, seems to be centered on the seam, and it seems to run the entire length of the townhouse. After further research I suppose this is a buckle or instance of heaving. It is not visible from a standing position, but if you slide your foot over it you’ll definitely feel it. I’ve noticed a creak in the floor at this ridge as well, at various points along it.

Is this something to be expected, or should I ask for a repair? If I should have it repaired, is this a case of the cure being worse than the sickness? Are they going to have to screw it down?

Thanks,
Jonathan

Could be the "hardline" where the installer started his job. after laying the first course in the middle of the room and heading toward the wall then there would have been a spline installed in the groove side to start courses going the other direction. This spline should be nailed and glued before the next course starts.

This is one possibility. Without seeing it first hand it is hard to say.

Perhaps, although this ridge is only a 3 feet out from the wall - not in the middle of the room. I suppose there's nothing saying you can't start there...

Assuming for the moment that this is the problem, any ideas on the remedy?

Is it a busy enough of a species to hide a couple of face nails with putty?

Wish I had a better answer...

It's maple and not that busy, but it is very dark. A brown or black Sharpie after the putty would probably do it. Sorry I can't give you more info to go on...

I wonder if the subfloor or joist isn't quite level.

Someone else suggested that offline, but this ridge runs the length of the townhouse, about 40 feet.

I wonder though if there isn't piping or ductwork underneath extending the entire length. Then, when they put the subfloor down, it bowed at that point.


The reason I'm suggesting that is because I ran into that issue in my house. The subfloor had to be sanded down. Actually, I put plywood on top as an underlayment and sanded that down.

It just doesn't seem to make sense otherwise. Usually splines when used properly should be perfectly fine. And, it's not that hard to use splines.

Could that suggest that the flooring is running parallel to the joists? or simply parallel to a nasty beam/support?

Just thinking out loud.....

Sounds like the wood is running same direction as the floor Joists. 40 foot long area? I don't know this is repairable within reason.