click lock laminate coming apart

Help! We had click lock laminate installed in our remodeled bedroom just over a year ago. About a month ago, one of the boards separated from it's neighbor, leaving an area which sinks down when you step on it. Obviously we try not to do this, but it's in the traffic pattern between the door and the bathroom. It's about 5 feet from one wall, about 2 feet from the other wall. Obviously, we try to avoid it, but sometimes I don't always see it, especially in the middle of the night.

My brother-in-law in Michigan came down to do the remodel, and since we are in Florida, asking him to stop by and take a look at it and redo it isn't exactly an option. If we had the money, I'd just take it all up and put down wood-look tile, but that's not really a choice at this point.

I'm afraid that the answer is going to be take it up and reinstall it. I suspect that it wasn't put down as close together as it should have been, or that it was not the best quality. However, since we didn't have a licensed contractor (not licensed in Florida) put it down, I doubt we have any recourse with the flooring manufacturer. <sigh>

It doesn't bother my husband, he just says, don't step on it. I'm afraid that I'm going to step on it wrong and break the plank or injure myself by putting my foot through the floor.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much.

 

Your floor is separating, because the substrate underneath doesn't meet the flatness requirements needed for a floating floor. If you can get the trim molding off, you may be able to strap clamp it along with tapping with a pull bar and hammer. A dab of glue before it engages, will keep it from coming back apart for a little while longer.

 

This is my husband's response: it seems like a temporary fix. I am more interested in something that will fix it permanently. That will probably mean pulling up several boards around there and leveling the floor. Not sure how hard that will be.

From me: Thanks!

 

Your husbands response is correct, mine was a band aid and the easy way out. Good luck!!! Look for extra boards incase some are damaged and need replacing, before you start taking things apart.