Hi,

I moved into a rental apartment a few months ago with new laminate flooring. I noticed that a few of the boards are really spongy (I can see it move when I walk on it, it makes a squishy sound when I press on it, and it has a slightly tent-like shape rather than lying flat).

I've been really careful to take care of the floor properly. The only thing I could think of that could have caused moisture to seep in is that I used an air humidifier/vaporizer for a couple of nights about 2 months ago, and noticed that the floor was moist around the humidifier in the morning (which I immediately dried). I'm not even sure if it's even the same spot as where the sponginess is occurring, and no water at all has gotten on the floor since. I've only noticed the sponginess this week, after heavy rainfall for about 3 weeks in an otherwise dry climate (I live in the South West), but I'm still paranoid that I've destroyed her floors because of this one thing two months ago.

The other potential issue is that I have a heavy armoire in the bedroom, and the sponginess is happening close to it. I've also noticed in the other room some gaps/raised edges between boards, but some of these were there already when I moved in, even though the floor had been made recently.

My question is whether I could have caused the sponginess by using the moisturizer 2 months ago, and if it's caused by the armoire, will it go down on its own once I move out? I'm concerned that maybe there is something wrong with the subfloor/moisture barrier and I want to let the landlady know before there is more damage, in case she has warranty on the floor or something. At the same time, I don't want to be blamed for something I didn't do, nor cause her worry if the problem will resolve on its own.

Thanks so much for any advice!

the problem sounds like it is underneath..it may be exaggerated bu the armoire due to its weight, but that is unlikely.

sounds like you re on the right track..is it over crawlspace or basement?

is there a concrete slab under it?

The floor is expanding due increased moisture levels and is then being obstructed from doing so..this causes the spongy/bouncy effect and will even buckle the floor(tents) when it has no where to expand to.

A small amount of topical moisture will not make the floor do that, dont worry about the vaporizer.

I see plenty of floors locked in out here in Tucson when the monsoons hit. Mostly because the installer did not give it enough of a gap at the perimeter, under doorcasing and to much adhesive at the transition strips that fill the gap which locks the floor in resulting in tenting, floor goes up because it cannot go out.

Thank you so much for the responses, what a relief that I was getting paranoid for nothing.

Once the monsoon season is over and the air is dry again, will the wood also dry out and go back down?

There is no crawl space or basement under the house, but I'm not sure if it's on a cement slab.

Thanks again!

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In short, yes. Cranking the AC up a little will reduce the humidity in the house some. Warmer air holds more moisture.