Floor Problems

Floors

Normal wear and tear may be cosmetic only but flooring protects the structure of your building. The most noticeable common floor issues are squeaks. The plywood covering the floor joists should always be glued. The plywood is attached to the joist with an air nailer because of its speed now adays and the lower cost of the nails. Screws are the best choice because they rarely back off/out like nails tend to do. The lower humidity in homes after they have been completed will suck the moisture out of the wood causing the wood to contract resulting in the nails popping or backing out.

When walking over a floor it should not bounce. A moving floor means that it was not supported properly in the construction stage. If not corrected the floor will only deflect more possibly causing further damage to the building. Floor joist should never be more than 12 inches apart and should be sized according to the span between the beams. Wherever there is a opening in a floor the joist should be doubled or tripled according to the size of the opening.

Floor coverings should be appropriate for the room or hallway they will be installed in. At exterior entrances the flooring should be durable and water resistant. In bathrooms and kitchens the flooring should be water resistant and easy to clean up. Flooring around fireplaces should be fire resistant for at least 18 to 24 inches. Floor coverings have a life span so purchasing the right product for the application is an absolute must.

Problem: Absorbent materials in wet areas. Floors in rooms that are likely to get wet should have nonabsorbent, moisture resistant flooring materials. This is an installation choice. Premature deterioration of the flooring is one implication. Rot damage to subflooring is another. Odors and other indoor air quality issues may create health concerns.

Problem: Carpet. Rot, stains and odors may be the result of water problems. Stains and odors can also be the result of spills and/or pets. The implications of rot, stains and odors may be cosmetic. They may also indicate damage to subflooring and framing below. There may be health implications to stains and odors.

Problem: Ceramic/stone/marble loose, grout missing, cracked, worn or stains. Tiles that are

cracked, broken, loose or have missing grout may be the result of excessive deflection of the

substrate and/or improper installation, including surface preparation, mortar amount and quality and/or grout amount and quality. Cracked, broken or loose tiles and tiles with grout missing can lead to water damage to the subfloor and may present trip hazards.

2. Worn tile may be the result of normal wear and tear, mechanical damage (such as heavy appliances being dragged across the floor) and/or the use of wall tiles on floors (wall tiles are not as durable). Worn tiles may only be cosmetic issues but can be trip hazards if corners are broken or pieces are loose.

3. Stains are typically the result of spills. Stains are usually cosmetic issues only.

Problem: Most concrete floors crack as a result of shrinkage during curing. Shrinkage cracks are usually not significant.

Problem: Damage. Damage may be a trip hazard and can allow water into subflooring.

Problem: Loose or missing pieces. This is usually a result of failed adhesives, mechanical damage or poor installation. The implications include trip hazards and moisture penetration to subflooring. There are also cosmetic issues.

Problem: Vinyl floor covering. Resilient flooring split, lifted or open seams. Implications are water damage to the subflooring below and trip hazards.

Problem: Squeaks. Squeaks are typically caused by finished flooring not being held tightly against subflooring or subflooring not sitting tightly against joists. The implications of squeaks are simply a nuisance. Squeaks do not indicate structural problems. Squeaks are common and are not a performance issue.

Problem: T & G (tongue and groove) exposed tongues. Exposed tongues on tongue and groove flooring are usually the result of sanding the floor to create a new wood finish. Pieces of flooring may become loose and/or lift as a result.

Problem: Trim missing. Trim is provided to protect the wall covering from damage (such as when vacuuming).

Problem: Trip hazard. Someone could be injured.

Problem: Water damage. Water damage to floors can be the result of roof or flashing leaks, plumbing leaks, heating leaks, air conditioning leaks, wall, window or skylight leaks and/or door leaks (especially sliding glass doors). Spills from humidifiers, dehumidifiers, watering plants, aquariums, bathtubs, showers, sinks, basins, etc. Ice damming, condensation, melting snow from boots and winter clothing and/or careless floor washing. The implications of water damage may be cosmetic only if the source of water has been contained, rot, staining, damage to the floor finish and/or other damage to structural components.

Problem: Wood. Wood rotted, warped, buckled or stained wood floors are the result of water damage. Wood is vulnerable to rot attack when the moisture content is above 20%. The implications of rot, warped, buckled or stained flooring include cosmetic problems, trip hazards and/or deterioration of the structure below.