How do I fix this kind of lifted flooring?
As shown in the picture, some areas of my floor have risen. The edges along the two red lines I drew are all raised, especially in the circled area. If children or elderly people don’t notice it, they could trip and fall.
This issue may have been caused by the computer chair I placed in this spot, as prolonged pressure seems to have caused the floor to lift.
I’ve tried two solutions before:
1. **Floor Gap Fixer Tool Set with Aluminium Suction Cup & Rubber Mallet Hammer**
I attempted to tighten the flooring using this tool, but it didn’t work because the floorboards are already tightly joined. The issue is the edges lifting, not gaps, so this method wasn’t effective.
2. **Gorilla Max Strength Clear Construction Adhesive**
I applied this adhesive, and it worked for about a week, but the edges lifted again over time.
I’m not sure if I used the wrong type of glue or if my approach is flawed. I’m now considering trying **Titebond III Wood Glue**.
If anyone has experience with this issue, could you please share your advice?
Thank you
Replies
A little more info please?
Is any of this flooring tongue and groove? Edges and ends?
Where did you put this glue?
Now that the glue has hardened, do you figure you have filled a gap below the flooring and now there’s no way in hell you’ll be able to bring the raised pc. down?
Is there a subfloor below this flooring?
Are there any heat runs below this area.
A little more info please?
Is any of this flooring tongue and groove? Edges and ends?----Yes
Where did you put this glue?---I applied the glue along the seams of the floorboards at the time.
Now that the glue has hardened, do you figure you have filled a gap below the flooring and now there’s no way in hell you’ll be able to bring the raised pc. down?----I can still press the floorboards back into place as there's no dried glue inside preventing me from flattening them with heavy objects. However, as soon as the weight is removed, the floorboards lift again.
Is there a subfloor below this flooring?-----I belive so. but I can not confirm.
Are there any heat runs below this area.----No.
To add to Calvin's question - what type of subfloor sheathing is under the flooring? How thick?
Could possibly be connected to excessive deflection of the subfloor resulting from the concentrated loads of your chair's casters.
To add to Calvin's question - what type of subfloor sheathing is under the flooring? How thick? ---sorry. I dont know
Could possibly be connected to excessive deflection of the subfloor resulting from the concentrated loads of your chair's casters.
---Yes, It was the chair and me
Do you have any of this flooring left?
No. It is a rented aprtment
Well.
I would call the landlord and forget your computer chair,
Tell him your concerns of a trip hazard (of which the picture doesn’t really suggest that).
Rental is his business, and your chair wouldn’t have caused that minor raising. No way.
Unless maybe you weigh 400 lbs, didn’t move and worked 24/7
Or the install was bogus in the first place.
It does seem like the issue is due to improper installation. I prefer not to notify the landlord because my apartment is quite small. If they come to fix it, I’d need to move things aside, and after they leave, I’d have to clean up as well. Thank you for the suggestion
This flooring looks like inexpensive floating laminate wood flooring, such as Home Depot's TrafficMaster (99 cents/sq.ft.). This product needs to be installed over a very flat, strong subfloor, or else bad things happen at the joints. TrafficMaster has a particularly fragile joining system that is very easily damaged. Also, each piece, as it is installed needs to be tapped together with a piece of scrap flooring (aka banging block) to ensure the seams are joined, and then each piece needs to be lightly tapped with a rubber mallet from above to lock the joints.
I'm guessing that, in your situation, the tongue and groove joining system was damaged at the corners, and that there was extra stress on that joint from the joint damage and the stress of a caster, which certainly amplifies the stress on the floating floor. Also, these floating floor products don't like being "pinned" by heavy furniture, cabinets, appliances, etc.
I'm thinking that the repair would involve cutting out that piece with an oscillating multi-tool (a cut down the middle of the plank's length, with two "Y-cuts" from each corner of the piece back to your center cut). You can find YouTube videos on this technique for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring. Once the plank is removed, you'll probably be able to identify the root cause of the problem, and glue in a new plank with grooves altered as shown in YouTube videos.
Alternatively, buy a "hard floor chair mat" at Staples, U-line, Amazon, etc. to cover the floor, spread the weight of the rolling chair, and minimize additional damage.
As mentioned previously, calling your landlord might just be the best first step!
If that's the case, it sounds a bit too complicated for now. Could you recommend a type of glue that I can use as a temporary fix? I plan to report this issue along with any other problems in the apartment when they arise next time. Thank you!
Thank you very much for your advice. I’m unable to handle something so complicated.
As Mistered1957 suggested, buy a "hard floor chair mat" at Staples, U-line, Amazon, etc. to cover the floor, spread the weight of the rolling chair, and minimize additional damage.
Quickest fix for now.
Yes, I will do that. The reason I didn't buy the mat before was that I was afraid the elderly at home would trip over it. Thank you
If you want to try gluing the lifted edge at the end of the plank, I would probably try DAP RapidFuse, which is a CA "super glue" that cures quickly. Carefully, squeeze some glue into the seam, press things into place, wipe off any excess immediately with acetone, cover with wax paper, and put a heavy weight on the repair for an hour or so.
Then go out and by the chair mat from Staples!😃
Thank you, I will do that. I will buy this kind of glue on Amazon later.
as previously mentioned, repairing the floor is a property owner issue. You may have made doing a repair more difficult by using the various methods you've tried. Out of respect for your landlord/landlady, you should let them know about the floor so it can get repaired before there is more damage
good luck
You make a good point. I'll talk to them later. Thank you all for your help, I know what to do now.