Trouble Shooting Wood Flooring

Your new laminate, engineered or solid wood flooring is an investment that, if correctly installed, will last for years.

Take care to follow in detail all manufacturers’ guidelines and our installation advice, or feel free call our friendly Oak Flooring Direct team for additional information Free phone 08000566999

Please see detailed below a list of common Oak Flooring & Wood flooring issues and possible causes:

Cupping (Saucer Effect)

A problem caused when the back of the board expands at a greater rate than the top surface, giving a saucer type effect. This is typically caused by contact with moisture or vapour from beneath the floor. Moisture can be introduced by lack of an effective damp proof membrane in older buildings or residual construction moisture in new builds.

If the opposite effect is being created with a reverse saucer (dome type) effect, this would normally mean that excessive moisture is being introduced at the surface (often through excessive humidity or poor cleaning and maintenance).

Always take moisture readings and check site conditions prior to installation.

Raised or Lifting Wooden Floors

If your new floor is raised (usually in the middle of the room), this is often an indication that either inadequate or no perimeter expansion gaps have been provided.

Floors can also pinch or catch around doorways and fireplaces etc., if not correctly installed.

Always allow adequate expansion - if your floor is raised check all expansion gaps and if necessary introduce additional expansion.

Problems can also be a symptom of poor site conditions. Always acclimatise products prior to installation and check all site conditions. Check and adhere to manufacturers’ expansion requirements.

Surface Marks on Wooden Floors

As with any type of floorcovering, wooden floors are not impervious to wear and tear and surface marks with a degree of marking have to be anticipated. It is also prudent to remember that a floor is a wearing surface and as such over a period of time will age and wear; this can often enhance the appearance and natural characteristics of the floor.

Always use adequate barrier matting and remove shoes where possible to avoid grit and stones being trafficked onto the new floor. High-heeled shoes can also prove to be problematic due to the high levels of point loading. Protective felt pads should be used under furniture and protective mats should be used under castor chairs.

Always follow manufacturers’ maintenance guidelines.

Knots, Surface Imperfections and Colour Variation within Wooden Floors

As wood is a beautiful and natural product, colour will vary from one board to another. This is normal, and the variety of boards will combine to give an overall effect of colour once installed. For this reason it is important to bear this in mind when choosing from samples, as often samples will only be representative of the products supplied.

Knots, splits and cracks will normally be filled, and will be more prevalent in rustic (country grade) boards. If you are looking for a cleaner-looking floor with less knots and character the classic (or city) grades will be more suited to your needs.

It is also advised to provide within your order an allowance for wastage, (typically 5%). If you do happen to receive isolated boards or parts of boards that are not to your liking, it is possible (with a little care) to lose these within the natural cutting and laying process.

Surface Gaps and Floor Movement

It is not unusual for fine gaps to appear between boards (often more so in solid wood floors).

This can be caused by adverse site conditions with extremes in humidity and/or temperature variation, or by natural seasonal humidity and temperature changes.

Always acclimatise products prior to installation, and ensure that site conditions are correct.

Transit Damage

We take every care to ensure that your new wooden floor reaches you in the very best of condition; please take care to check your delivery before signing for any goods.

If you do receive any damaged goods, wasted time and materials can be avoided by carefully incorporating and losing any damaged boards within the natural cutting and installation process.

Under Floor Heating

Always check that your selected product is suitable for installation over under floor heating and adhere strictly to manufacturers’ guidelines.

General Items when installing your new Oak Flooring Direct wood flooring

Always check temperature / humidity and site conditions
Always acclimatise products prior to installation
Use experienced expert installers when recommended
Always check every board prior to installation
Always allow adequate expansion
Follow to the letter manufacturers guidelines and recommendations to the letter
Follow under floor heating guidelines and check compatibility
Maintain conditions prior to, during, and following installation
Ensure your selected wood flooring product is suitable for the given circumstances
Maintain and care for your wooden floor correctly

More detailed information can be found in our ‘Help Me’ section.