Engineered Floor is Lifting

[blackbirdxx]

Guys, thanks for your ongoing assistance...
I find it strange that I saw no lifting before the silicone was installed about 2 weeks ago. The floor had been down for probably 3 weeks prior to this with no bead and I hadn't noticed any lifting throughout that time.
I would agree with foxhole that silicone wouldn't stop expansion if the floor had absolutely nowhere to go but maybe the silicone is strong enough to cause the floor to lift? As said before, I think the only way I'll find out is to score the silicone bead and see if the floor expands into the perimeter gap. If it doesn't solve the problem then its a skirting off to investigate as Ken says.

FYI the floor is on a suspended timber floor not concrete.

 

[KenGMac]

Logical progression, choosing least invasive, easiest to complete first before a large upheaval.

Ken.

 

[blackbirdxx]

Going back to my earlier question and I find it to be the silicone which proves to the problem, is it a reasonable request to have the builders replace the skirtings? Otherwise, with no bead, I have to live with unsightly gaps caused by the undercutting of the skirtings.

 

[KenGMac]

Short answer, Yes.

Why? because the method employed by the builder, skirting first is not really a recommended way to proceed, and [must admit I do not understand why] you were left with an unsightly ragged edge to the bottom of the skirting?? which the builder tacitly acknowledged when he installed the bead of silicon ? in effect your builder has admitted an error, and [fair play] taken steps to rectify.

Ken

 

[blackbirdxx]

Yes, thats my view, thanks Ken...

 

[blackbirdxx]

Just for info, this is an insurance job and I believe the insurer was pressing to progress faster so they decided to install the skirting in advance of laying the floor which they didn't have leaving a nominal gap for the new floor which proved to be inadequate.

 

[KenGMac]

Woo Hoo.

OK, I work as an Insurance Surveyor [freelance]

If the insurer has agreed to fund the repairs and get the insurers preferred repair contractor to undertake the repairs needed? then it is up to the Insurer to sort out completely, totally all of your issues.

But did you accept a so called "Cash Settlement?"

Ken.

 

[blackbirdxx]

Ken, its all been left to the insurer to sort and been tendered out to a successful builder who I'm sure will argue against replacing the skirtings. The undercut skirting isn't that bad, just a few gaps here and there which I don't think is acceptable and something you wouldn't expect if they'd done the job properly. Its unfortunate that the silicone bead looks great and I thought it had addressed the problem.

 

[dazlight]

Why let a builder lay the floor instead of a Floorlayer ? 90% wont fit it to British standards .

 

[blackbirdxx]

The builder subbed to a floor layer who seemed to know what he was doing but dealt with the skirting and the decoration himself.

 

[dazlight]

Then the Floorlayer is at fault letting the builder do the job. Undercutting skirts rarely works when floating wood. Skirts off and fit after.

 

[blackbirdxx]

I believe the floor layer did exactly what he was instructed to do. He came to site, realised the builder had fitted the skirtings with inadequate gap and the builder thought the cheapest solution was to undercut rather than remove the skirtings as the room was already decorated. A learning experience for him I guess.

 

[foxhole]

I believe the floor layer did exactly what he was instructed to do. He came to site, realised the builder had fitted the skirtings with inadequate gap and the builder thought the cheapest solution was to undercut rather than remove the skirtings as the room was already decorated. A learning experience for him I guess.

Any decent floor layer would have refused to fit with skirting in place unless a trim was to be used .

 

[blackbirdxx]

One for KenGMac if he's around..... (or anybody who can help)

Guys,
Just received an email from the surveyor who represents the insurer saying that the builder is now requesting practical completion so that the house can be handed back to me. A meeting is being arranged with me next week to agree this. There are still a fair few minor snags which I've listed with regard to other works in the house which shouldn't be a problem. The fact that I still have the issue with the lifting floor concerns me as I don't want to be returning furniture etc to anywhere in the full downstairs area (hallway, lounge and diner) until the problem is rectified.

Is it reasonable to delay handover until this timber floor is sorted properly as it appears to me to be bit more than a minor snag??

Again, thanks for your help.

 

[KenGMac]

blackbirdxx, yeas I am lurking?? [lunch break]

Suggest that you contact the insurers Surveyor, preferably by e mail[you then have proof of contact]

Make it very clear that there are a list of "issues" not in some cases simply "snags"

If possible send a list of as many issues you have, with special mention regards the flooring we are discussing here.

you can [if you wish] refuse to hold the meeting until such time as your "major" issues such as this flooring, which will not be rectified in one or two days?? remove skirting, floor, obtain new flooring, acclimatise, lay, fit skirting s, re-dec walls, Etc, Etc, Etc

OK I have attended a load of hand overs, very few are indeed true "completion" meetings, there are generally one or two very, very minor snags, so the actual completion date is agreed at the meeting, and the final account date will be agreed to have occured, only when the customer is satisfied, this is easy to agree over the phone on the appointed date. Remember, no agreement, no final completion certificate, and no final payment to the contractor [minus of course the retention]

I assume that by your reference to "the Surveyor who --- Represents--- the insurer is not a direct employee of the insurer, rather a stand alone Surveyor or Surveying Company? If you are getting no where with him, simply send your list of Issues to the Insurer aimed at the "Complaints Department" and to your insurers Loss Adjuster.

Hope some pointers in the above??

Ken