Is this normal? Laminate/Wood Flooring

[Exos]

Had some flooring fitted over the last few days on my landing and stairs and the guys finished up tonight (literally 10 minutes ago)

One of the stair noses is damaged so he's coming back to replace it tomorrow am, but my missus has noticed lots of little "chips" out the wood on the treads, risers and stair noses. Haven't paid him the balance yet though, and it ain't cheap (£1200, but already paid £400 deposit)

Basically they look like when you knock in a nail and it doesn't go straight so you end up with a short line.

When I asked him about it he said it was normal as they nailed them down, but some of them are quite noticeable and all he's done is filled the holes with a colored wax.

I can't help feeling a little disappointed as it was never explained they would be nailed, in fact the guy that came out said they would all be bonded.

I'm also worried about movement or catching the chips therefore ripping the surface up.

Also, if nailed does the manufacturer guarantee become void?

 

[mike361]

Hi Mate,

A pic would be ideal to see exactly what you mean?

Mike

 

[Rumpelstiltskin.]

Def wrong mate, do not pay him yet.
Get some one to look at it.

 

[leemoo]

defo agree with mike, get some pics uploaded so we can have a look

 

[Exos]

Here you go, apologies difficult to see on pictures:





No problem (too much) with nails if they are not noticeable, but I don't understand why a) they can't be used behind the bull noses, b) why they are even needed in the treads or risers when they are flat surfaces and been bonded, plus the riser should hold the tread down and c) when there is lots of available specialist contact adhesive why would you need to.

Also, spoke to the fitters dad (family business) which is the original guy that sold it to us, on recommendation from someone else, and he basically said it was because our stairs where not level and he had to pack it out (but again despite the fact it had engineering ply laid down to level it out).

He's now coming at 8am tomorrow to have a look.

 

[m4rkyw]

thats a shocking job from a supposed professional charging top whack, dont pay the rest get another firm in an get quote for them to rip up and redo and give it to the bodgers an be prepared to listen to excuse after excuse, best of luck

 

[surfbum]

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[Magnu420]

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but mick is playing with the forums

 

[surfbum]

blame mick lol

 

[leemoo]

Doesn't look the best to me...looks more like a DIY job than a professional.
Wait till the guy comes in the morning and hopefully he will agree. Just say your not happy but are happy to give them a chance to rectify the problem.
Think thats fair enough and if he doesn't agree just say ok for the time being am holding on to the money until i speak to another professional and see if he agrees or could do a better job. Least its not just your supposedly novice opinion then.

 

[Him Her]

It could be the Shiraz...

...on the other hand it could be a p1sstake!

I'll go for the latter, if I'd fitted that I would be unsurprised if the customer moaned about paying up...

 

[Magnu420]

i thought you wernt ment to put nails in ??

as for the ridges here and there,sounds like the boards have not clicked into place
properly

dont pay him it looks shoddy work

i did me daughters dining room and hallway and i never used nails,or had the boards lift up

 

[surfbum]

yep its a mess get your other £400 back of the feckin cowboy

 

[silverdale]

little tip for ya , take as many pics n vids you can of the work and when they guy comes back in the morn record the conversation on your phone. then you have have something to fall back on and even if you dont use the tape you can quote from it.

To me it seems the work of a DIY guy who thinks he can. Don't pay him and get a quote to rectify the mess then deduct that from his bill.

 

[Him Her]

Ahem, I'll fix it...

... ***cough*** Bacardi (large bottle) no questions asked

 

[Exos]

Ahem, I'll fix it...

... ***cough*** Bacardi (large bottle) no questions asked

Sure you will

Was just chatting to the missus again about it and on "further inspection" even the door bars are nailed down (brad or finish nails), but when I spoke to the fitter earlier I asked him if they were easy to remove if I needed to lay laminate in the other rooms, he said yes it's only adhesive. Why would you need to nail and glue door bars down, seems idiotic, plus the other guy who said it was because of the level of the stairs in regards to the noses is obviously talking shit because why would you need to nail down between two perfectly level surfaces.

 

[Magnu420]

ive seen this and it dont mentioned using nails


Laying Laminate Flooring

There are many good reasons to have laminate flooring. But once the choice has been made between tiles and planks, bevelled or smooth edges, oak effect or maple effect – or any other material – the next and crucial issue is to ensure that the newly-bought laminate flooring is installed correctly.

Of course, it is always possible to pay a "professional" to do this, but the cost involved is not necessary as laminate flooring is something that the average householder can do themselves without too much difficulty, just by following the correct instructions. With the right preparation, a bit of care and an attentive reading of directions, laying laminate flooring will be a manageable way of putting the new surface in place. And in addition to the pride of having an attractive new floor, the homeowner will be able to declare that it was all their own work.
Fitting Laminate Flooring

The business of fitting laminate flooring begins with checking the material first. Before starting the installation, check for any small problems and return any planks or tiles that have defects, as once they are installed the warranty will not cover them.

Another thing to check is that the floor below is in good order. There is no point laying laminate flooring on a surface that is uneven or structurally unsound. Indeed, if the floor below has a lot wrong with it then work will be needed on that before ANY new surface is installed. A surface that is slightly uneven may be sanded down and this will ensure the new laminate floor on top of it is nice and flat.

Finally, read the manufacturer guides, as these will provide the instructions needed for a simple assembly and installation.
How to Fit & Lay Laminate Flooring

Most laminate floors are click-system types and knowing how to fit laminate flooring like this is far from rocket science. The items will fit together like jigsaw pieces. The key is not to add too much glue, as this will form barriers between the edges.

One key measure that must always be undertaken is that of acclimation. This is because laminate is porous and will soak up moisture as it adjusts to the conditions of the house, leading to it expanding. If the floor were to be laid down without allowing time for this adjustment, it could lead to the planks or tiles swelling and making these fit badly together or – in the worst cases – buckling. However, by letting the material get used to its new home it will find its correct level and will be the right size and shape once it is fitted.

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Laying Laminate Flooring | How to Lay Laminate Floors

 

[Exos]

I've fitted a multitude of laminate flooring and I would never in a month of Sundays consider breaking the surface with recessed nails. I could have quite easily done my landing myself, hell I did from my kitchen through to my hall then into living room and conservatory with no door bars and fitting under skirting and door frames, so I'm perfectly capable (see my house renovation thread), however, when it comes to the stairs I've never tackled that before and wanted someone else to deal with the headache, plus it made sense just to carry it through for the extra. The cuts are superb, can't fault that as is the edging and (some) of the finish, it's just this one element that has taken the shine off what could have been an outstanding job.

 

[stevejay]

i couldn't live with that tbh, it would do my head in every time i went upstairs & seen it, i would just tell him to wait then get some other professional to take a look & see what he comes up with, like someone said in a earlier post don't pay & deduct the payment needed to rectify it from the total

 

[mike361]

Hi Mate,

I`v done many a stairs in my time and they are a complete pig but you gotta take your time with it, by looks of that the guy obviously hasn`t layed laminate on stairs before or does not have a clue about how you treat a finished product...Nail through the face wise up!!.

He should of been using something like this hxxp://www.nationalstairnosings.co.uk/Adjustable-Step-Nosings-Laminate-Flooring/dp/B007P1TXZA?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

Which allows for movement and this nosing are clipped in.

With laminate flooring depending on the make the manufacturer states there has to be a allocation for expansion .

Now how is the flooring going to be able to move if he has just gone mental with a paslode!!