Wooden floors glued to concrete with levelling compound

MegFi · 23-09-2007 7:49pm #1

:cool: :rolleyes:

Does anyone have any knowledge or advice on a solid (oak) wooden floor with has been installed using a "glue" straight to the concrete with a levelling compound on it, rather than being attached to a floating floor (correct term?) underneath. The floor has lifted in various sections throughout the room. The flooring contracter blames the builder as he believes the levelling compound is at fault. I feel that maybe the wooden floor possibly should never have been glued directly to the concrete/levelling compound as this allows for no expansion/movement of the wooden planks, eventhough a "new" glue that is supposed to be "flexible" has been used.....any advice?

dogg_r_69 · 24-09-2007 12:40am

How long was the leveling compound down before the floor was laided? If the floor is lifting it really sounds like the oak has taken the moisture from the leveling compound Oak floors & moisture does not mix well

MegFi · 24-09-2007 1:22am

was down approx 6 months - house was empty. does this make a difference?

dogg_r_69 · 24-09-2007 6:56pm

6 month was plenty time You said the house was empty Was the heating ever on during that time?

carpainter · 26-09-2007 9:01am

Levelling compounds can be hit and miss in terms of their quality and strength of bond, depending on how much water was used in the mix, whether the substrate was clean and whether or not a bonding agent was used. I've quite often seen thin layers of levelling compound lift or disintegrate. Was compound used extensively over the floor area? I'd imagine if this was the case it would have been wise for the flooring contractor to test the adhesion/ bond strength before starting the job.

MegFi · 28-09-2007 11:20pm

Heating might have been on - once or twice, but not sure.

MegFi · 28-09-2007 11:21pm

Levelling compound was over the entire area. I am convinced that the "new method" the flooring contractor used to install the floor did not work and caused this.