Shaw Floor - how do we fix this ?

7 years ago

We had Shaw floors installed - floating floors not glued.

We had some issues with contractors front the start of install. First - we were told they would be installed last and he insisted they were being installed and would be covered and would be fine - needed to keep moving with project. I know better - now.
So - he had floors installed even though he knew there was a problem with our back door ( water leaking in ) and that needed to be fixed . He said it would get done - not too worry - it was all going to be done right. Guys fixed door in a hurry so Floor could be installed. Floors installed ( other issues occurred Which are in another post) and finally covered. Well we noticed a little later water was sleeping in through back door- pulled paper up and our floors had popped up . Water had gotten to boards and destroyed several boards. They removed damaged boards and reinstalled. Fast forward several months later - now we have a board popping up. It was the last board that was placed when they replaced floors by back door.

When we pulled us rest of paper off the floors much later - We also noticed a lot of splintering and other issues. Inspector was sent out and determined splinters due to poor installation but easy fix ( which will require maintenance in future from us but easy ). There were 3 boards that should not have been used and inspector said they need to be replaced - she didn’t know who responsibility would fall on but said they should have been set aside since we had other Boards that could have been used

So - contractor sends someone out to fix floor board that is popped up, the one with huge splinter and the small splinters.

The installer tells me he would not recommend removing boards bc we may have same issue with floor boards popping up. He said he would use adhesive on one popping up and would try to fill in other boards .

He said we still may have a chance the board by back door will pop up again.

I am so angry. We paid a lot of money for our floors and now Bc of contractors mistake - we have to live with a board that may keep popping up ! This of course would not have happened if he would have waited to install floors once back door was properly installed.

Now for the board with huge splinter - inspector recommended replacing bc it’s near a wall and said it would be dangerous if it were not fixed .
Installed states he would try to fill it in and we should just leave it as well bc again - removing Boards then replacing them could just make it worse ( floor boards popping up ).

I don’t know what I should accept? Even though we paid this contractor to properly do the work - bc he didn’t now we have to live with a board popping up ? Or is it possible to fix it and not have that happen?

We have already paid him in full - not like we can withhold money.

And yes this is not a great contractor- he tells us this and that is fix but he obviously doesn’t know what is he real solution . And he does not communicate well with his subs. I can’t do anything about that anymore.

Would it be best to hire an actual floor installer to repair the mistakes he made ? The person he sent it to repair our floor is not the same sub he originally had install the floor - I don’t that guys works with him anymore.
I will add pictures .

Here is one board - it was a mistake by Shaw - but being told we had enough Boards so installer should not have used it . I don’t know if you can tell but it’s missing the actual Hickory floor. A huge piece is missing and whatever is underneath is actually what is stained
Where my finger is pointing is where veneer or top layer is missing ? Is it ok to leave it? It under a table.

Featured Answer

User

7 years ago

Hire a real flooring contractor and be done with the flooring portion until the contractor’s hack over inadequately flashing the door comes back again when the caulk fails. Unless he fully uninstalled the door and reinstalled it properly, that is in your future too.

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Comments (11)

dabjg
Original Author
7 years ago
Board that is popping up. So contractor said he would replace that board and all other to wall .
dabjg
Original Author
7 years ago
This is the one inspector sent out by Shaw said needs to be replaced bc it’s a hazard. In walkway and would be dangerous as it gets worse.
There is another picture in relation to how far it is from wall.
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dabjg
Original Author
7 years ago
The one that was told was hazard again was a defective board from Shaw.

This picture her me is another board that was damaged but still installed. The inspector actually made it looks worse but she pulled small layer that was splintering to show damage . Said that can be filled. It will be under a rug so won’t be an issue once fixed
dabjg
Original Author
7 years ago
This is the flooring we purchased .

We had taped the areas were there was splintering . Since
Then we have had more appear. I plan on calling Shaw but the first time they had someone come out she reported it was due to poor installation. I am sure they will say that again but it was not splintering like that during first inspection
dabjg
Original Author
7 years ago
This are just a few pics of splintering
dabjg
Original Author
7 years ago
Another - we have them all over
SJ McCarthy
7 years ago
Ok...here's what you can do: reach out to the original Contractor and tell him you need to bring in a flooring professional to deal with the issues left behind by his subcontractors. In building law (please consult your own state/provincial laws before doing anything...ahem...caveats are all over the place) the rule of thumb is the ORIGINAL installer (General Contractor) is allowed ONE attempt to fix an issue. After that, the homeowner is then allowed to bring in another professional to fix the issue...at the ORIGINAL installer's (GC) expense.

But how does that work? That's the $64K question. How do you get the original GC to PAY for your flooring professional? That's where the communication with the GC comes in. That's up to you to negotiate how this works.

Anyway, the board that is popping up is a concern for me because a well installed floating hardwood SHOULD BE super happy. Regardless of a 'fix', it should stay happy and stable. But the same 'spot' is having issues even after a few board replacements. That tells me there is SOMETHING ELSE going on.

A wood flooring professional (www.nwfa.org to find your local certified flooring installer/inspector) will have the right knowledge to LOOK for the REAL reason why this same area keeps getting upset. It could be the subfloor is still wet. It could be the door is still leaking. It could be so many things...which a high-end professional will know to look for such things.

The splinters in the wood are concerning as well. The one that STARTED OUT as a splinter can be repaired (wood glue) or replaced. I would start with the repair. As for the plank that has the veneer missing, I personally would leave it be because it is doing its job. But if you have left over product AND you are SUPER CONFIDENT in the professional flooring installer's abilities, then go ahead and replace it now.

But here's my other concern that has NOTHING to do with installation: new splinters emerging. These floors are several months old and NEW splinters are emerging. The product you have chosen is a thin engineered hardwood. It is 9.5mm thick. That's considered 'thin' for a laminate floor let alone a hardwood floor. That means the veneer (the pretty top wood that has the stain on it) is going to be SUPER thin...and super thin veneer can have issues with stability (depending on the core it is sitting on). That's why most wood professionals like to see AT LEAST 3mm of wear layer on the top of the plank...because of stability.

I would start looking at the indoor living conditions (humidity levels, AC control, heating system in the winter months, etc) when looking at NEW splinters. Splinters often indicate a dry climate or a climate that keeps shifting parameters (inconsistent humidity control, etc).

Or if the entire board is splitting (the splitting goes PAST the wear layer) then the subfloor becomes a question once again. How 'flat' and level was the subfloor at the time the floor was installed? Was it 'wonky' and needed fixing? Or was it beautiful at the time the old floor was removed?
dabjg
Original Author
7 years ago
The door is fixed - we gave the contractor several opportunities to fix so we hired someone to fix it and they did an amazing job. We could not rely on contractor to get it done right
dabjg
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you @ SJ Mcarthy

We do have humidity under control - that was the first thing inspector checked.
Thank you so much - this is very useful information !
dabjg
Original Author
7 years ago
We had all of our flooring removed a carpet and tile and then paid to have them level the floor.
That may be another issue then -