Worried about Uniclic underlay

[Damo1176]

I have just had a friend help me install the UniClic 800 flooring in and we had the foil underlay provided, I'm a little worried as I have re-read the instructions on the underlay and it says about having the underlay overlap up the wall as you do the floor,, then fit the skirting board and trim the underlay after that, it also says overlap up to 8".

We have done the underlay wall to wall just about give or take the odd cm and then laid the floor. We just butted the underlay together and then used waterproof duck tape for the joins and also we damaged the odd little bit of the foil too and just put a piece of duck tape over the hole. The skirting board will be hovering over the top of the laminate anyway so won't be directly on the floor anyway so less affected by lack of foil underneath. Is this going to cause us any issues?

Lastly when fixing the skirting boards I'd like to make it less permie than no more nailsing it to the wall so I can lift a panel if required later down the line.

Somebody put my mind at rest

 

[mattysupra]

it will be fine.

 

[Damo1176]

it will be fine.

Matty supra you seem to be the source of all my help, thank you for putting my mind at rest.

I have some more questions. I found the instructions to the flooring after my mate had left and it states that two joins should not be less than 30cm apart but in at least two places it is less, one only 15cm the other about 25, will this cause a problem (the flooring is Uniclic 800 Eligna).

Also I noticed afterwards he had not left a regimented 10mm around the edges, most places he has but some rows have about 5mm ish. Do I really need to file this down and get the 10mm gap or will the wood expand that much. THis is down in a conservatory which is cut off from the house by sliding doors so can get a touch cold and a touch warm.

Thank you again

 

[mattysupra]

5mm expansion is not enough unless area is only a couple of meters wide. Cut some more with circular saw or something. And your header spacing wont be a problem

 

[Damo1176]

5mm expansion is not enough unless area is only a couple of meters wide. Cut some more with circular saw or something. And your header spacing wont be a problem

Thats what I thought gonna be a pain cutting them without lifting the floor again, unless I can get to them with a junior hacksaw or a file.

The room in total is 4m x 2.5m ish. The 4m length has about 8mm expansion either end but the 2.5m width at times is as little as 5mm. Damn getting friends to do it.....I am a perfectionist but I'd have got it right.

Why do the flooring manufacturers say about the headers is it just to cover themselves?

 

[mattysupra]

you should be o.k on the expansion on that size, but i would still be tempted on cutting it back. Use a circular saw ! The thing with the headers is for looks of the floor and strength of the floor. I would not worry if you only got a couple out of place.

 

[Damo1176]

you should be o.k on the expansion on that size, but i would still be tempted on cutting it back. Use a circular saw ! The thing with the headers is for looks of the floor and strength of the floor. I would not worry if you only got a couple out of place.

Have to say I will try and increase the gap just for my own peice of mind.

AS for the headers, 3 rows near the middle of the floor. from row 1 of the 3 you have a join, the join on the 2nd row is about 150mm along to the right, then the join on the 3rd row is about aa further 250mm along if that gives you a picture in your mind..

One last thing Matty.....my friend seemeed to hate wasting any wood whatsoever despite being told he could and in 3 places I have one piece thats barely 150mm long and two edge bits that are about 50mm, has he actually risked the floor quality for the saving of the wood or will it make little or no difference? The more I wish I'd taken more time and done it myself.

 

[mattysupra]

I really wouldn't worry. Its not good practise for a floor layer to do this, but it not going to effect your floor.

 

[Damo1176]

I really wouldn't worry. Its not good practise for a floor layer to do this, but it not going to effect your floor.

Thank you for putting my mind at rest, so the only job I simply have to do is the expansion gap, if I get chance to correct the little bits I will, the piece nearest the door is the one that worries me but the bit the otherside I tried putting a chair leg on it then sitting on the chair and it did not move at all even when I sat down heavily.

Thanks Mattusupra your help again gratefully received