Buckling laminate floor

I installed a laminate floor several months ago. The installation was relatively easy and i was pleased with the results. Recently, one section (in a hallway) began to buckle upwards along the seam. I thought there must be something preventing the floor from floating properly yet after all the moulding was removed, I could find no cause of the buckling. Do you know what else could be causing this?

 

How large is the installation and what is the distance of the longest run? A buckle is the result of an installation defect or plank expansion. The cause of a buckle can be at the opposite end of the floor from where the buckle is noticeable.

Look for an area of no gap, a doorway, a kitchen island, a fireplace, a radiator or other plumbing pipe, heat ducts, or a molding or other trim that is held in place with a fastener etc.

Moisture can also be the cause. When moisture is added to wood/wood products the product expands. When moisture is taken out of wood/wood products the product shrinks.

 

Thanks for responding. The hall is small...about 6' x 4'. The buckle is on the 6' side. If I'm understanding you correctly, the buckle could be caused at one end of the run or the other. Could it also be caused by some sort of jam perpendicular to the buckle?
Once I find and fix the jam, will the floor smooth out again or will I have to replace the run?

Thank again,

Todd

 

When you took up the baseboard, how much gap was there between the flooring and the wall? You should have ~3/8" when the floor is laying flat. Less gap can cause the floor to buckle when it expands and comes in contact with the wall.

 

I believe I see the problem. One end of the run ends at a door jamb. I trimmed the bootom of the jamb in order to let the floor slide under. I'm sure I don't have 3/8" after the end of the run. It seems I need to do more trimming. Once the problem is corrected, do you think the will lay flat again?

 

Sounds like you're on the right track. After the trim is complete, give the floor a 1 season change or until about the 1st week of April and see how it goes. The buckle could settle in 14 days but if it will ever settle it will be no longer than 90 days. If you have a further problem, state the brand name and style.