Fire Safety Encyclopedia

Laminate creaks after laying what to do. Laminate creaks: what to do without disassembling the whole structure? Universal methods for solving the problem

Today, a huge number of types of flooring are available, but laminate is especially popular. It is perfect for arranging any room.

Such material is distinguished by its positive characteristics, among which are:

  • Aesthetics;
  • Stylishness;
  • Durability;
  • Simplicity of styling.

But often a problem arises when the laminate begins to make unpleasant sounds, if of course you step on it. It is possible to eliminate the creak of the laminate, further information and images will be provided on how to fix such a nuisance.

The main reasons for the squeak

To begin with, it is worth noting that the unpleasant sounds that the laminate makes will not just spoil your mood. After a while, the coating will begin to deteriorate due to them and most likely the floor will need to be changed.

Laminate squeaking may occur immediately after installation. There are several reasons for this squeak, the most common being improper installation.

Unevenness of the base

Often the coating is laid on a concrete base or uneven surface:

  • With significant differences in height in different parts of the room;
  • With depressions;
  • And also with concrete layering.

In such a situation, you should not think for a long time about the cause of the squeak. Even if after installation you do not hear any sounds, be sure that an uneven surface will soon present them to you.

Some people solve this problem by using a laminate underlay. It will help level the base if there are no significant irregularities on the surface, otherwise this method will not help.

Uncleaned base

The second reason for the squeakiness of the laminate can be hidden in the panel lock. In most cases, it is this part of the coating that squeaks unpleasantly.

The cause of the creak of the laminate may be an uncleaned base, namely, if, before installation, there were left on it:

  1. Small pebbles;
  2. Sand;
  3. Other general or construction waste.

Immediately after installation, the flooring will most likely not emit extraneous sounds, because the substrate retains its elasticity and shape for some time. But over time, it will surely sag and then you will not have to wait long for a cod. In this case, when walking barefoot, the creak of the laminate will be especially loud.

No space

Cracking can occur even on an expensive and high-quality surface. If there is no gap between the wall and the flooring around the perimeter of the entire room, then none of the characteristics of the laminate will help in such a situation.

Important! The lack of a small gap will lead to the fact that the slabs will soon expand slightly and rest against the baseboard.

As a rule, when walking, the panels will rub against its edge, making an unwanted sound.

Under high load, the lack of a gap has a detrimental effect on the panel locks, so you can also hear a crackling sound from them.

Poor quality material

Cheap and low-quality coverage will surely fill your home with extraneous sounds. The creak of such material cannot be eliminated in any way, even if you carry out an ideal and professional installation.

Useful information! Therefore, when buying a laminate, it is better to give preference to trusted manufacturers. The price of such a product is slightly higher, but on the other hand, it will not bring you such problems that cheap coverage would present.

By purchasing quality products, you protect yourself from:

  • Slots;
  • Squeak;
  • Swelling of the floor;
  • Cracks.

How to beat a creak

Well, now you know about the main causes of laminate squeak. Now let's look at how to fix such a problem, while spending a minimum of time and money.

We provide clearance

For example, unpleasant sounds appeared due to the fact that the installation was carried out incorrectly and there was no gap between the wall and the panels. It is possible to cope with a creak in such a situation and it is very simple to do it.

To fix the problem, you will need to complete the following tasks in strict sequence:

  • Carefully remove the skirting board;
  • Dismantle the slabs that are adjacent to the wall;
  • Using a circular saw, cut off the required section of each panel. Remember that the resulting gap should not exceed 1.5-2 centimeters;
  • After that, you can put the panels, and then the skirting board in place.

Advice. Cracking can also occur from behind the skirting board itself. It often fits snugly against the panels, so in this case it is better to fix it slightly higher above the floor surface. Then the plates will not come into contact with it and extraneous sounds will not arise.

As you can see, this procedure is very simple to carry out. If the room is large in area, then it will be somewhat more difficult and longer to work, but on the other hand, such actions will prevent not only creaking, but also swelling of the coating.

Removing debris from under the cover

If the installation is done correctly, all the rules are taken into account, the required clearance is observed, but the floor still emits extraneous sounds, then the problem lies elsewhere. Most likely there is debris under the cover. It is also possible to resolve this issue, but this can only be done by dismantling the flooring.

Advice. If you used an expensive and high-quality laminate, then it is not recommended to remove and put it back. It is better to be patient for a while, the debris will grind over time and the sounds will disappear.

But this method still has a significant drawback - when the debris is frayed, the inside of the panels can seriously suffer from this.

To clean the base, you will need to perform the following steps in a strict order:

  1. Remove the panels;
  2. Remove the backing;
  3. Thoroughly clean the base, removing even the smallest residues of debris and dust. It is best to use a vacuum cleaner for perfect cleaning. Finally, the resulting surface should be wiped with a damp cloth;
  4. Put a new substrate (exactly a new one, since the old one is already damaged by debris and it is better to throw it away).

Advice... If you managed to identify the place from which the creak is heard, then repair only this area. Drastic measures should only be taken if the crackling sound is heard all over the floor.

After the steps taken, the laminate can be laid. But before that, wipe its locks and end parts with a slightly damp cloth, because there may also be sand, dust or other dirt. Basically, the above tasks to remove any possible dirt and squeak will disappear.

Useful information! If an unpleasant sound is heard only near the wall, then you do not need to remove the laminate.

This problem can be solved simply by inserting a small piece of cardboard into the space between the laminate and the wall. This method is very effective, but it should only be used in this case.

If it is necessary to level the base

But what if the squeak is caused by an uneven base surface? In this case, you will have to set yourself up for serious work. To solve such a problem, it will be necessary to carry out a large-scale and full-fledged repair.

It will not be easy, but it is impossible to choose another option. Before installing the panels, it was necessary to pay more attention to leveling the bases.

Well, such work is carried out by the following actions in the following sequence:

  • To begin with, the flooring must be completely disassembled;
  • Then remove the backing;
  • Next, you need to lay out a cement-sand screed on the base of the floor, which will level the problem surface;
  • After the screed is completely dry, you will need to apply a layer of self-leveling coating.

If in your case the base is wooden, then you will need to cycle it or apply a thick piece of plywood or chipboard.

Laminate panels are becoming more and more popular as flooring because they can be used in almost any building. Along with a whole list of advantages, a number of disadvantages of this material cannot be ignored. In this article, we will understand in detail how to eliminate the creak of the laminate, as well as what reasons can provoke this phenomenon.

Especially the laminate is appreciated for such qualities as:

  • ease of installation;
  • strength and long service life;
  • outer beauty;
  • the ability to fit it into any interior design.

However, this coating is not immune to crunching and squeaking, which can irritate the ear and lead to further deterioration of the coating.

Why does laminate creak

So, there are several reasons why laminate flooring creaks when walking on it. Often, if the crunch problem is not eliminated in time, it is possible that the laminate will have to be repaired. Among the main reasons for the squeak of the coating, one can note incorrect laying and violation of technology.

Base level drops

One of the reasons why laminate flooring creaks after installation is an imperfect base, in which you can observe:

  • potholes or indentations;
  • unaligned screed with mortar layering;
  • differences in floor level in different parts of the room.


If such flaws were ignored during the installation of the laminate, then soon after installation, the laminate will inevitably begin to creak.

Some are trying to save time on processing the base by placing a backing under the laminate. However, she will not be able to help if the floor is uneven under her.

Remains of dirt on the subfloor

The weak point of laminated panels is the joints, that is, the locks. Quite often, even after a short time after the completion of the repair, you can hear the characteristic crunch of the coating. Probably, the base after finishing grouting and sanding was not cleaned of sand, fine gravel or other contaminants. Even if at first, due to the presence of the substrate, no extraneous sounds were heard, very soon they will appear.

Thus, the reason why the laminate crunches when walking is all sorts of debris falling under the coating, which appears through the substrate that has lost its shape over time and cuts into the coating from below. This sound is most audible when walking barefoot.

No indentation

Even very high quality and expensive laminate flooring can give a crunch. One of the reasons why the laminate crunches is a violation of the laying technology, that is, the absence of technological gaps near the walls. Like any wood flooring, laminate flooring tends to expand with changes in the indoor climate. Technological gaps at the walls of 1.5-2 cm wide are designed to compensate for this expansion and keep the laminate in working order for a long time.


If you neglect this rule and lay the laminate close to the walls, then you should not be surprised why the laminate is bursting. The panels begin to break apart and rub against the baseboards, creating unpleasant sounds.

In addition, such a violation of the technology entails an increase in the load on the joints of the panels, which also begin to creak when rubbed.

Low quality laminate

Poor quality of cheap material from unknown firms can lead to great frustration and a waste of money. Such panels can begin to creak and crunch, even if you take all the stages of installation seriously.

Therefore, it is not worth saving and purchasing products of unknown brands and unknown origin. It is better to opt for high-quality coatings, because they have a manufacturer's warranty.


Methods for dealing with squeaky laminate flooring

Once the main causes of unpleasant sounds are clarified, you should understand what to do so that the laminate does not creak without spending too many resources. The procedure will depend on each specific case.

Technological clearances

One of the effective ways, in cases where the laminate creaks, what to do without disassembling the entire floor is to perform the necessary technological indents near the walls, which were neglected during the initial installation.


In this case, repairs can be performed as follows:

  • carefully remove all skirting boards;
  • remove some of the slabs that fit tightly to the wall;
  • using a circular saw, you need to cut off part of the panel along its length, so that after laying it between the laminate and the wall there is a distance of 1.5-2 cm;
  • the cut laminate should be re-laid on the floor and the gaps should be covered with skirting boards. Read also: "".


Such repairs do not require any special construction skills from the owners, and they will bring a lot of benefits, even if the area of ​​the premises is large and it will take a lot of time. The coating will not only stop creaking, but will also be protected from swelling, which is inevitable in the absence of gaps near the walls.

Cleaning the base under the laminate

If you are convinced that all the technological indents are observed, and the base under the laminate is ideal, but you still hear a creak, it means that debris has accumulated under the coating. In this case, the way out, how to remove the creak of the laminate, is to perepilat the laminate and clean the surface under it.

It is worth noting that some experts do not recommend going through the laminate once again, especially if it is very expensive and of high quality. Perhaps, over time, small debris and sand will grind and stop creaking in the seams of the laminate. However, there is a very high probability that this tactic will lead to damage to the lower part of the coating, which is fraught with even greater problems.


So, the way out, if the laminate creaks, how to fix this problem, is to perform such actions strictly in the specified order:

  1. Dismantle the laminate.
  2. Remove the old backing board.
  3. Clean the substrate thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner. After that, you need to wipe the subfloor with a damp cloth to collect the remaining dust here and there.
  4. Lay a fresh layer of underlayment, as the old one has already fallen into disrepair due to debris under it.

Please note that if the laminate creaks only in a single area, then you can do without cardinal disassembly of the entire floor, and remove only a few creaking panels. However, if the entire coating creaks in different places, then you still have to disassemble the floor entirely.

Before installation, laminated panels, especially at the joints, must be cleaned of dust and sand with a barely damp cloth. They can then be re-laid onto the substrate.

Often, experts use a little trick if you need to remove the creak of laminate wall panels. In this case, you can place a small piece of cardboard under the panel to lift it slightly. According to experts, this method is really effective.

Leveling the base under the laminate

The most time-consuming repairs are to be done if the laminate has started to creak due to an uneven base. In this situation, there is no other option to eliminate the creak. Over time, it will only get stronger.


The following repairs will be required:

  • The laminate must be completely removed first.
  • Next, you need to remove the old substrate.
  • The surface of the subfloor must be leveled by applying a fresh screed with cement-sand mortar.
  • After the concrete is completely dry, a layer of self-leveling mixture should be laid.

The wood base needs to be scraped or leveled with plywood or chipboard.

Upon completion of the manipulations to level the base, you should check its horizontalness with a building level.

At the final stage, you can proceed with the installation of laminated panels on the substrate. In doing so, make sure that no dirt, sand or fine debris has accumulated on the substrate, underlay or laminate fixings.

Outcomes

Before proceeding with the elimination of the squeak of the laminate, you should accurately determine the cause of this phenomenon. If you follow our recommendations, illustrated by the photo, you can safely undertake even a large-scale repair of the coating without fear of complications.

After laying the flooring, an unpleasant problem may arise - the laminate creaks. This may be due to the fact that certain installation requirements were violated during installation. If such a situation has arisen, then you have to figure it out and look for where the creak comes from. It is best to eliminate the cause without parsing the floor, because locks can be disposable and after parsing it will be necessary to buy new material.

Why does the laminate creak

When laminate flooring makes different sounds, not everyone thinks about the causes of such problems. And there are a lot of them, such reasons include:

  1. Violation of the rules for preparing the foundation.
  2. Poor sub-floor condition.
  3. Poor laminate quality.
  4. Violation of the rules for laying the floor.
  5. Poor choice of substrate or its complete absence.

If you do not follow all the rules for laying the base, then the appearance of various shortcomings is quite an expected phenomenon. Some of these problems can be eliminated indiscriminately, but sometimes a partial or complete analysis is required. When parsing, there is a high probability of damage to the locks, as a result of which you will have to purchase additional material, and this will lead to an increase in the price of the laminate floor.

In order not to puzzle over the question of how to eliminate the creak of the laminate indiscriminately in the future, it is necessary to strictly follow all the rules for laying.

Laminate creak due to poor substrate preparation

Sometimes, the creak of the laminate floor may be due to the fact that the original (sub) floor was in poor condition. If the coating was laid on a wooden floor, then it is necessary to check its condition before starting work. For this, the presence of cracks and rotten boards is checked. If the base is in an unsatisfactory condition, then alteration is necessary.

Before starting work, wooden floors need to be rallied. Rotten boards, even partially damaged ones, need to be replaced. In the process, it is imperative to do alignment.

A concrete screed can have 2 problems:

  1. Roughness - in this case, alignment must be done.
  2. The old base can be destroyed. Most often, this option occurs if poor-quality concrete is taken.

If the base is old and begins to deteriorate, then it is better to replace it. But such work is very laborious and costly. To correct the situation will help at least 6 mm thick. It is placed on the floor and secured. Then the laminate is laid. With the help of plywood, you can also level the wooden base.


Installation of plywood for laying laminate

If the shortcomings of the finished laminate base appeared due to a poor subfloor, then the entire structure will have to be disassembled. There will be no other way.

How to eliminate laminate creak indiscriminately

If the laminate has started to squeak, then not in all cases it will be necessary to disassemble the floor to fix this problem. If you correctly determine the cause of the squeak, then in most cases you will not have to disassemble the panels, and fixing the problem will not take much time.

Elimination of squeak when the ground is not level

If you clearly and correctly follow all the conditions for preparing the base for the laminate, then the likelihood of deficiencies is reduced significantly. All depending on the type of floor. Irregularities have a negative effect on the locks of the boards. If the laminate creaks when walking, then the likelihood of an uneven floor increases. This problem needs to be fixed.

The most effective method is to drill a small hole in the board. Next, a medical syringe is filled with PVA glue and this glue is injected into the hole.

It is better to fill it with a not very high speed until the glue comes out of the hole.

If glue gets on the edges of the hole, it must be removed. Then you need to leave the filling place for 3-4 hours. At this time, it is better not to walk on the floor, so that the glue can seize.

As soon as the glue has set, you need to close the hole. For this, sealants or mastics, putties or self-adhesive films are used. Sealants and mastics can have colored bases, and therefore you can choose a composition that is most suitable in color to the laminate.

To create the maximum effect of an undamaged board, you need to remove the excess composition with a cloth, and process the hole with fine sandpaper, then polish with a cloth. For reliability, you can cover the board with a layer of colorless varnish.


Elimination of squeak by drilling the laminate

Creak in the absence of a thermal gap

It happens that the sounds from the coating pass over the entire surface area. In this case, there is a high probability that the laminate was laid without observing the temperature gap. Such a gap must be left between the outer boards and the covering, since the laminate has the property of linear expansion. If the gap is small, then under the action of expansion, the locks begin to creak.

Correction of such a defect does not take much time of effort. To do this, you need to remove the baseboards, and increase the size of the gap with a grinder. The cover does not need to be removed.


Laminate creak in the absence of a thermal gap

Laminate locks creak

A very common cause of an unpleasant sound is a divergence or loose fit of locks. In the event of a discrepancy, a gap is formed, which can sometimes touch another board, as a result of which a sound is produced. When the lock is loose, the same thing happens.

In this case, you can correct the position without parsing the surface. To solve the problem, an adhesive composition is used, which is applied to the locks, and they try to move the boards towards each other. The surface is left for some time to harden the glue.

Sometimes, instead of glue, it makes sense to use polyurethane foam. It adheres much better and faster, and also holds the panels noticeably better. A big plus of the foam is that it is enough to apply it to the edges of the boards; due to expansion, it will itself reach the desired, opposite edge.

However, care should be taken when handling foam:

  1. The joints must be wiped off dust.
  2. Construction tape or masking tape is glued along the edge of the board. This is to ensure that the foam does not stain the surface of the boards.
  3. Foam is poured into the joint.
  4. After some time, excess frozen foam is removed.

The joint surface can be painted over so that the processing is not noticeable. Alternatively, a sealant or mastic of a suitable color is used.


We glue laminate locks

Laminate creak when laying on rubbish

When the owners of the house begin to wonder what to do if the laminate creaks, it is important to remember how the premises were cleaned before laying.

After preparing the base, debris often remains and if large debris is removed, then such attention is not paid to dust and small debris. And this step is in vain. If there is sand under the laminate, then squeaking is quite possible. Therefore, thoroughly vacuum the subfloor and all gaps before installation. If the gaps are large, then they must be treated with filling compounds.

If it is found that the laminate is crunching due to debris, then you can either dismantle the entire coating, or vacuum the laminate where it touches the wall. To do this, it is necessary to remove, and the cover can be slightly lifted in order to create a gap. You need to put the vacuum cleaner hose into this gap and try to remove the debris.


Creaks due to the backing

Such a moment can also be. This is because the wrong substrate was selected. Laminate is a "floating" floor system, this system requires a subfloor. This element provides some softness to the coating and hides small unevenness in the subfloor. Choose a substrate depending on the material of manufacture and thickness. If the coating has creaked, then, most likely, the matter is in the wrong choice of the substrate thickness.

When choosing a thickness, it is important to remember that the larger this parameter, the greater the gap between the floor and the board. A large gap may squeak. Therefore, the substrate should be selected with a normal thickness.

The optimum thickness is 3-7 mm. the maximum parameter can be up to 10 mm. But here everything is deplorable for the owners. In this case, it is required to dismantle the coating and replace the substrate with a thinner one. There are no other options for resolving the issue.


When choosing a laminate, it is important to remember that a low-quality coating can also squeak, so it is necessary to choose a high-quality material. In many cases, it is impossible to do without dismantling the coating, therefore, in such a case, you need to pay attention to what locks the boards are equipped with.

There is a laminate on sale that can be dismantled up to several times. Of course, these coating options are more expensive, but this is better than buying new material again.

Every laminate owner has come across the fact that the material used begins to crackle over time.

If the laminate creaks, what to do indiscriminately? It depends on many factors, but it makes the sound just as annoying.

This is especially true when elderly people and very young children live in the house. There are several proven ways to get rid of the annoying sound.

Possible causes of extraneous sound

This material was initially considered very moody. In some cases, this type of flooring can be used for decades without causing any difficulties.

Sometimes unpleasant sounds appear a couple of days after its installation. So what if your laminate floor creaks?

You should start by identifying the cause of the extraneous sounds. Is it worth disassembling the coating or can the cause be eliminated without disassembling the structure. It only depends on what was the original cause of such consequences.

Often the cause of squeaks is poor coating quality.

The reason may be:

  • outdated roughing construction;
  • accumulated debris;
  • poor quality of the material used;
  • no temperature gap between the walls and the coating;
  • the laminate may creak due to non-compliance with the established technology for laying the base;
  • malfunction of individual locking elements;
  • the substrate may be too thin or, on the contrary, thick.

Small gap between wall and laminate

When installing laminate flooring, leave a small gap between the laminate and the wall

Such a gap must be left in order to prevent creaking under the laminate after installing the cover. The width of the gap should not exceed 0.7 cm.For large and spacious rooms, this figure can increase to 3 cm.

This will depend on the width of the skirting board used. After a while, the laminate will try to take a comfortable position for itself, and if it stumbles upon the lack of free space (gaps), friction between the locks will begin, which manifests itself in the form of squeaks.

Saw off the edge of the outer panels

Sequencing:

  • disassembling the skirting board;
  • removal of outer panels;
  • partial sawing off of the edge, the layer of which will be no more than 15 mm; for this you can use a hacksaw or jigsaw;
  • assembling all components back to their original place.

If the gap is very insignificant or completely absent, during the expansion period the corners of the material will characteristically abut against the baseboards and walls.

Accumulation of sand and debris

During operation, debris can enter the space between the slats, which causes friction

Related article: Do-it-yourself old house repair

During the installation of the coating, special attention should be paid to ensure that the used surface does not accumulate debris.

You should also cut in another room that is not intended for stacking.

Potential effects of contamination:

  • the laminate floor can emit crunchy sounds due to the fact that the material used to make the screed was of poor quality;
  • such sounds can cause not only irritation, but also accelerated wear of the lock joints;
  • the ingress of sand between the locks will inevitably cause a creaky sound.

Before laying such material as laminate, you should more than thoroughly clean the used surface from various kinds of debris. If extraneous sounds appear directly when moving, then the reason lies in the massive accumulation of dirt under the laminate layer.

Since it is very problematic to remove this problem, especially if the main accumulation falls on the lock connections, then their safety should be taken care of in advance.

The new screed will solve the problem of height differences and unevenness

The site needs to be disassembled if the problem lies in an improperly made screed. To do this, you will need to fill in a new screed (level, dry, apply a layer of soil mixture and re-clean). Only then can you start installing the flooring. The soil layer will save you from possible cement shedding in the future.

We clean the surface correctly:

  • it is necessary to start cleaning by removing the boards;
  • the substrate is dismantled;
  • the laminate will begin to creak precisely from the debris in it; for this, the surface is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner;
  • a new substrate is installed;
  • the laminated material is laid.

What should be the substrate

It is customary to use huge substrates if there is a need to smooth out irregularities and pits. But this will make your laminate crunch even earlier. In this case, the floor creaks just from the existing defects associated with the substrate:

  • before installing the coating, you must make sure that this important element is sufficiently thin; if this aspect is ignored, it may soon be necessary to completely dismantle the laminated coating;
  • if the structure of the substrate is thick, this will lead to additional sagging of the laminate and squeak;
  • permissible element thickness is no more than 30 mm.

If the laminate has already begun to creak, then it is recommended to remove the coating and replace the existing substrate with a thinner structure. If you have no desire to carry out a complete dismantling of the coating, then you should start getting used to extraneous noise.

Not fully leveled base surface

It is not uncommon for the laid laminate to creak due to numerous defects that remain after improper leveling of the base. A possible fault can be called the negligence of workers or the purchase of substandard materials used to level the base. For information on what to do if laminate floors make a squeak, see this video:

Related article: Heating according to the Tichelman scheme

If the laminate is installed without a backing, disassemble and install a quality finish

What needs to be done so that the laminate does not creak:

  • you can install a backing that will allow the panels to fall into place;
  • use scraping for leveling;
  • allow time for the layer to dry completely;
  • all irregularities are sealed with a cement-based mixture;
  • it is recommended to level the base in the area where the creak appeared;
  • any unevenness can cause extraneous sounds, so it is worth solving the problem immediately after it appears;
  • when choosing a laminate, pay special attention to the base.

Saving money on the purchase of the necessary material

One of the most common reasons is the desire to save money. The poor quality of the flooring used will not save you from squeaking, even if you use high-quality components under its basis.

The material used must be of the highest quality, tested and manufactured by renowned manufacturers. Only such a laminate will differ in the required level of wear resistance, strength and appropriate quality.

Such a laminate will be expensive, but it will help save on subsequent repairs and a complete replacement of the coating.

The weak side of low-quality laminate is shabby and uneven locks.

What you should pay attention to:

  • the substrate should be of optimal thickness;
  • the level of the gaps must be observed;
  • complete absence of any debris and dust;
  • a well-leveled base for the coating.

Unstable room humidity

Perhaps after warming up the coating, the creak will disappear

Material such as laminate flooring can react to moisture in the room. It should be borne in mind that the creak will not be local in nature, but will spread over the entire surface.

What to do if the laminate flooring creaks due to the high level of humidity in the room? There is no need to remove creaks, since after the material has completely dried out, they will disappear.

Laminate creaks, how to fix:

  • after the change of season, the creak may go away on its own;
  • if unpleasant sounds appeared in the summer, then it is worth waiting for the heating to turn on; it is possible that after warming up the material, the creak will go away;
  • sometimes crackles during a period of high humidity, which means that these sounds will not be permanent; it will take some time for the material to get used to the new conditions, after which all the components will fall into place and the sound will disappear.

Is it possible to repair a laminate without dismantling

Try to rub the gaps between the planks with molten paraffin.

Real methods of eliminating such defects exist and do not at all imply the dismantling of the floor covering. First of all, you need to figure out why the surface actually creaks and whether it is the floor covering itself. So how can you get rid of such annoying sounds without compromising the integrity of the coating?

Squeaking at the joints of the laminate usually appears in the most passable places. The apartment has a kitchen, corridor and doorways. To get rid of the squeak permanently, it is important to know why the laminate squeaks.

Sometimes the crunch can be eliminated without disassembling the boards. Let's figure out what to do if there are squeaks when walking on the laminate. After all, they, by the way, are also on a new coating after installation.

You may already know some ways to deal with crackling on your laminate flooring. But most of them help for a couple of days:

  • Pour paraffin candle wax or glue into the joints between the planks. Waste of time + dirty floor. With a snug fit of the boards, this will not work. It is possible that some of the wax / glue will get into the gap. But this will only temporarily (a day or two) solve the problem;
  • Coat the creak spots with VD-40 liquid silicone. Yes, this liquid penetrates well into the joint. However, there is no guarantee that there will be an effect. Although sometimes this remedy relieves cod for 1-2 weeks. But cleaning the floor after VD-hee is difficult even with Fairy.

So do not rush to pour something on the floor and lubricate it. This is often not necessary at all.

Why did the laminate begin to creak - causes and remedies

When squeaks are found, there is no desire. After all, when he stepped on the slats, and they crackled, the thought of dismantling immediately appears. So we will immediately consider cases when it is possible to eliminate squeaks on the laminate without removing it.

1. Compensation gap (indentation) from the wall is absent or minimal.

Laminate changes size (dries out and expands) when the temperature and humidity conditions change. It is for this that a gap of 8-12 mm is left near the walls. If not, the boards will eventually hit the wall. And then, if further expansion is impossible, they will burrow into each other at the joints.

A characteristic feature is that the lamellas have risen at the junction.

Crackling will appear in these places while walking. Since the strips will rub against each other from stress. How to remove the creak of the laminate in this case?


Solution: The situation can be corrected without disassembly. It is enough to remove the skirting board and check the gap. If its size is not enough, simply file the edge of the laid laminate. This can be done with a grinder or a jigsaw, but most conveniently with a renovator.

2. The laminate is pinned down by heavy furniture that prevents it from moving.

Example: The humidity changes and the board starts to grow in size pushing the next one. But the next lamella is pressed against the sofa and its movement is limited. As a result, the dies will abut with their ends and will crack if stepped on. This, as in the previous case, is due to the friction of the narrow parts of the planks.

A sign is a slight swelling at the junction. How to fix a squeaky laminate floor without removing it?

Solution: It is necessary to slightly push back the board, which rested against the adjacent one. This will remove friction between them and get rid of the crunch.


For this:

  • We take a small wooden board and glue 2-sided tape on it;
  • Then you need to firmly press this board to the desired lamella. The side on which the tape is;
  • Now, pressing the plank to the floor with your hand, knock on it with a hammer until the pieces of the laminate come apart.

3. There are more than 5 mm differences on the floor.

Perhaps there are pits, bumps or significant drops on the base of the floor. This is either a low-quality screed, or an old wooden flooring. This is why laminate flooring creaks most often. Indeed, with high cross-country ability, the boards will begin to bend in these places. The load on the locks will increase, and they will creak from constant friction.

The main feature is sagging lamellas.


Solution:

  • The best way to get rid of the crackling sound is to take the floor apart and remove the hole. It can be filled with self-leveling mixture. Then lay the boards again;
  • But, there is another option. In order not to remove the slats, you can drill a small hole in this place. Next, pour the same mixture with a syringe and wait for it to harden. Then we cover the hole with plaster on wood in the color of the floor and paint over with a furniture marker;
  • Regular silicone smearing of noisy places (every week).

4. Very thick and soft backing.

As a rule, the thickness of the substrate should not exceed 2-3 mm. However, some take a thicker lining of 5-7 mm. Someone wants to make the floor warmer on the 1st floor. Others try to smooth out unevenness of the base with a thick substrate.


But over the years, the lining material crumples under the laminate. And when you walk, the boards begin to bend more and more. This usually happens in the hallway and at doorways. From constant friction and load, the locks begin to creak.

Solution:

  • Remove the laminate planks to the problem area and replace the backing;
  • Also, as an option, coat crispy joints with silicone. However, you will have to constantly lubricate creaky areas.


5. Debris and sawdust under laminate flooring or in joints.

This happens if, during installation, new boards are sawn next to the laid rows. Need to cut in another room. After all, trimmings fly into the locks and onto the substrate. They must be removed without fail. Otherwise, the laminate floor will begin to creak in the first days. This is due to rubbing of debris in the joints or under the coating.

Features - The new laminate crunched after a couple of days.

Solution:

  • Wait for the sawdust to grind and the crackling disappears. This is not the best solution, as debris can damage the integrity of the locks;
  • Until the furniture was brought in, disassemble the floor and get rid of the debris.

6. Lapping the tool joints.

Sometimes slight squeaks are observed already in the first 1-3 months after. If you have an even base, the correct gaps and substrate, there is no debris - then the reason is in the "grinding" of the locks. Planks adapt to room humidity by expanding / drying out. At the same time, they move and create tension at the joints.

Laminate flooring needs to get used to:

  • to the type of base - screed, wooden floor;
  • thickness and;
  • room geometry;
  • the level of traffic in the apartment;

Solution: Just wait for the floating laminate to lay down and adjust. If the squeaks do not stop for a long time, look for another reason.

7. Defective or low-quality laminate

The technical characteristics of the laminate have a strong influence on its service life. These are the density of the board, classes of load and abrasion. But Chinese manufacturers churn out products without looking at quality. As a result, fragile locks wear out quickly.

Such a laminate starts to creak in the first year. Have you bought the cheapest cover from an unknown manufacturer? Then neither an even screed, nor a good substrate, nor adherence to gaps will save you from crunching.

Do not forget about the lifespan of the laminate floor. If the planks have been lying for more than a dozen years, a squeak is a normal phenomenon. The castle joints have long worn out and the boards rub against each other. It's time to think about replacing the floor.

However, the causes of squeaky floors are not always in laminate flooring. If there is an old wooden floor under it, it is possible that it is the one that emits a crack. In this case, you will have to remove the lamellas and strengthen the boards under them with self-tapping screws.

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