Engineered hardwood · Delamination
Why is my engineered hardwood delaminating?
Delamination is when the wood wear layer separates from the core. It can be caused by moisture, extreme dryness, or a bonding problem from manufacturing. Telling these apart requires on-site testing.
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What usually causes it
- Moisture from below or from leaks
- Very low humidity stressing the bond
- A manufacturing bond defect
What you can check yourself
- Keep a loose piece if one has come off
- Note the product name and lot number from the box
What an independent inspection checks
- Moisture content of the flooring and the subfloor, mapped across the room
- Room temperature and relative humidity, and how they change by season
- Concrete slab moisture (ASTM F2170 in-situ RH) when the floor is over concrete
- Bond-line examination
- Product documentation and lot information
Who is responsible?
A manufacturing bond defect points to the manufacturer; moisture or environmental causes point elsewhere. The report states which the evidence supports.
Get your engineered floor inspected
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.