Floor Staining

[mrkelley]

What is the name of your state? MD

I have a ground floor condo where I had professionally installed engineered hardwood on concrete sub-floors (glue down). After a heavy rain I found a small dark stain near my sliding glass door which has since grown to about 4 feet. Half in front of the door, the other half in front of the wall. I figure it has to be coming from a crack in the concrete because I do not see any wall damage and the grass area nearby consistantly has standing water in it. Who would be responsible and how do I find out the cause? My insurance company will not send anyone to look at it, they say I need to find out the problem. I asked the condo to look at it and they said they sent someone to look at the outside and found no problems. Any help on who should be helping me or what is the best way to find out the problem to get it fixed so it doesn't happen again.

Thanks for all your help in advance.

[johnd]

What "professional" "glued down" an engineered floor to concrete? Tell me about the product and system.

[nextwife]

Originally Posted by johnd

What "professional" "glued down" an engineered floor to concrete? Tell me about the product and system.

I agree. I've never heard of a direct glue down engineered floor over concrete. Certainly, I'm aware of engineered and laminate floating floors, with a liner appropriate for over concrete install, but not glued down.

[mrkelley]

Originally Posted by nextwife

I agree. I've never heard of a direct glue down engineered floor over concrete. Certainly, I'm aware of engineered and laminate floating floors, with a liner appropriate for over concrete install, but not glued down.

From [url]http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/article14001.html[/url]
"ADHESIVE APPLICATION:
Clean trowel frequently with Bruce Adhesive Cleaner to prevent adhesive build-up.
Spread the adhesive with the recommended trowel.
Installation of the wood should begin immediately. Working time may vary due to air movement, humidity, subfloor porosity and temperature."


What frustrates me is that no one will help me...the installer would not help as well. Shouldn't they need to send out an inspector? BTW, the installer was Carpet Liquidators.

[nextwife]

Originally Posted by mrkelley

From [url]http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/article14001.html[/url]
"ADHESIVE APPLICATION:
Clean trowel frequently with Bruce Adhesive Cleaner to prevent adhesive build-up.
Spread the adhesive with the recommended trowel.
Installation of the wood should begin immediately. Working time may vary due to air movement, humidity, subfloor porosity and temperature."


What frustrates me is that no one will help me...the installer would not help as well. Shouldn't they need to send out an inspector? BTW, the installer was Carpet Liquidators.

From your post

INSTALLATION TIPS:

*
Preparation:
- Read wood flooring installation instructions before spreading the adhesive.
- Room and subfloor temperature must be a minimum of 65° F (18° C) for 48 hours prior, during and after installation is complete. Maintain a minimum temperature of 55° F (13° C) thereafter.
*
Subfloor Preparation:
- All concrete slabs should be completely cured and dry.
- Subfloors must be flat to within 1/8" in 6 feet or 3/16" in 10 feet.
- Fill low spots with a Portland cement based leveling compound with a minimum of 3,000 PSI and allow to dry.
- All subfloors must be free of all foreign substances as well as concrete admixtures, grease, paint, dirt and alkali salts.
- Subfloors must be smooth and sound. All loose subfloor must be renailed or properly bonded to create a sound subfloor.
- If installing over concrete, run a moisture test.

[mrkelley]

Originally Posted by nextwife

From your post

INSTALLATION TIPS:

*
Preparation:
- Read wood flooring installation instructions before spreading the adhesive.
- Room and subfloor temperature must be a minimum of 65° F (18° C) for 48 hours prior, during and after installation is complete. Maintain a minimum temperature of 55° F (13° C) thereafter.
*
Subfloor Preparation:
- All concrete slabs should be completely cured and dry.
- Subfloors must be flat to within 1/8" in 6 feet or 3/16" in 10 feet.
- Fill low spots with a Portland cement based leveling compound with a minimum of 3,000 PSI and allow to dry.
- All subfloors must be free of all foreign substances as well as concrete admixtures, grease, paint, dirt and alkali salts.
- Subfloors must be smooth and sound. All loose subfloor must be renailed or properly bonded to create a sound subfloor.
- If installing over concrete, run a moisture test.

NEXTWIFE, I see that, but I am not trying to figure out the installation method. Someone said they never heard of engineered being glued to concrete and I showed an example from doing a search. I am not a flooring expert, if it was improperly installed or proper steps were neglected, then is the installer responsible? I would think yes...but who determins that? All I want to know is who I should contact to get this properly fixed and hopefully reduce my out of pocket costs.

[IndianaOwner]

You can not install wood flooring (or laminate flooring either) directly onto concrete without a moisture barrier. Your best option would be a floating floor (such as a laminate product) with the specified moisture barrier.

[mrkelley]

Originally Posted by IndianaOwner

You can not install wood flooring (or laminate flooring either) directly onto concrete without a moisture barrier. Your best option would be a floating floor (such as a laminate product) with the specified moisture barrier.

Unfortunately it is already done and according the the manufacturer it can be done. But once again, I am not asking for instalation methods...I need to know who I should contact to get this fixed. If it was improperly installed, who determins that and is the installer liable? Shouldnt the insurance company come out to determin the cause? I filed a claim and was told I needed to find out the cause to determin if they cover the damages.

[nextwife]

Have you contacted the manufacturer of the floor?