Laminate floors making popping sounds

[kixx9o5]

I just recently installed the new 12mm laminate floors and although my floors aren't perfectly even (basement), i hear cracking and popping noises when I walk over the laminate floors. I layed them myself using thick rubber underlayment. I made sure they were installed tight.

Is this something normal or do i need to apply some powder or wax ?

Any ideas?

[patrob]

It might be installed too tight to the wall and/or all together? You need min. 3/8" gap between the wall & the laminate for expansion. Or there is just too much flexibility, meaning uneven sub-floor. Or you might just have a crappy product... But do not use any waxes or powders.

[IoannI]

It might be installed too tight to the wall and/or all together? You need min. 3/8" gap between the wall & the laminate for expansion. Or there is just too much flexibility, meaning uneven sub-floor. Or you might just have a crappy product... But do not use any waxes or powders.

Like patrob said, you might have installed them too tight. Maybe even your sub floor is causing the issue.

[kixx9o5]

It might be installed too tight to the wall and/or all together? You need min. 3/8" gap between the wall & the laminate for expansion. Or there is just too much flexibility, meaning uneven sub-floor. Or you might just have a crappy product... But do not use any waxes or powders.

I am thinkin crappy product. I used spacers all around do you think it will settle after a while?

[Techhead]

I am thinkin crappy product. I used spacers all around do you think it will settle after a while?

Did you allow the product to aclimatize to the area you installed it in? Heck I installed a 8mm crappy laminet in my basement and have had no issues. sub-floor just might be too uneven?

[CSK'sMom]

I just recently installed the new 12mm laminate floors and although my floors aren't perfectly even (basement), i hear cracking and popping noises when I walk over the laminate floors. I layed them myself using thick rubber underlayment. I made sure they were installed tight.

Is this something normal or do i need to apply some powder or wax ?

Any ideas?

What exactly did you use for underlay? If it wasn't designed for laminate that could be the problem along with uneven substraight..

[kixx9o5]

What exactly did you use for underlay? If it wasn't designed for laminate that could be the problem along with uneven substraight..

I used what the flooring company provided the thick rubber underlayment called Black Diamond i think

I did let it sit for 2 days in the basement before laying them.

I just called the flooring company and they said it should be like that for a couple weeks until the laminate gets used to the floor.

[sunnybono]

I used what the flooring company provided the thick rubber underlayment called Black Diamond i think

I did let it sit for 2 days in the basement before laying them.

I just called the flooring company and they said it should be like that for a couple weeks until the laminate gets used to the floor.

Please report back after a couple of weeks if you don't mind. I'm thinking of installing laminate flooring in my rental unit.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay per sq.ft. for the product???

sk

[patrob]

I am thinkin crappy product. I used spacers all around do you think it will settle after a while?

Sometimes it goes away, BTW is the laminate square edge or bevel?

[kixx9o5]

Sometimes it goes away, BTW is the laminate square edge or bevel?

It's micro bevel stuff. I paid $2.05 /per sq ft with underlayment.

[patrob]

It's micro bevel stuff. I paid $2.05 /per sq ft with underlayment.

In this case, it's safer because if it would be a square edge & you have some movement in your sub-floor, in some cases the edges chip off. Give it some time & see what happens.