Floor problem help
I have a problem with my floor. What should I do?
Protect the evidence, write down what you see, and get an independent inspection before anything is repaired or a claim is decided. Then find your floor and problem below for what usually causes it.
Do this first
- 1If water is involved, stop the source first (shut a valve, call a plumber).
- 2Don't sand, remove, replace or throw away any flooring yet. The evidence is in the floor.
- 3Take dated photos and short videos, close up and of the whole room.
- 4Write down when you first noticed it and whether it changes with weather or season.
- 5Find the product name, receipts, install date and installer details.
- 6Tell the store or installer in writing, and get an independent inspection before anyone repairs or denies a claim.
Describe it in your own words
"My wood floor edges are curling up"
"My floor is lifting or popping up"
"There are gaps between my boards"
"My vinyl planks are pulling apart"
"My laminate is raised at the seams"
"My laminate got wet and swelled"
"My tiles sound hollow"
"My tiles are cracking"
"My tiles popped up"
"My floor sounds hollow or moves when I walk"
"My carpet has ripples"
"My engineered floor's top layer is peeling"
"My floor squeaks"
"I'm installing over concrete. Is it too wet?"
Find your floor type
Solid hardwood
Cupping · Crowning · Buckling · Gaps between boards · Squeaking · Finish peeling
Engineered hardwood
Delamination · Hollow spots · Cupping
Laminate
Peaking · Swelling · Separating
Luxury vinyl (LVP / LVT)
Separating / gaps · Peaking / buckling · Curling or lifting edges (glue-down) · Discoloration / yellowing
SPC rigid core
Separating · Hollow sound / movement · Cracked planks
WPC
Separating / peaking · Soft spots / indentations
Ceramic and porcelain tile
Cracking · Hollow-sounding tiles · Tenting / popping up · Uneven tiles (lippage)
Natural stone
Etching / dull spots · Cracking
Carpet
Wrinkles / ripples · Visible seams · Shading
Concrete & floor moisture testing
Testing before installation and after a failure
Get an independent inspection
Tell us what you're seeing and we'll explain the next step. We cover every county in Southern California and only inspect. We don't sell or install flooring.