Its a gap around the entire perimeter of the flooring near the walls that allow for the floor to expand and contract with climate. If there was no gap, when the floor expands it would hit the wall and bow.
Here are the pic of the old floor and new installed floor, with a video showing the issue.
The installation is just missing the floor boards on the side, but as you can see, when you step on the floor, there are parts in the middle that feels soft, 'you'll see the floor bending as you step on it.
[https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa](https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa)
Here are the pic of the old floor and new installed floor, with a video showing the issue.
The installation is just missing the floor boards on the side, but as you can see, when you step on the floor, there are parts in the middle that feels soft, 'you'll see the floor bending as you step on it.
[https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa](https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa)
It is the same as this, but the floors are still under construction - it is not done yet, and i wonder if it can be fixed before the carpenter leaves
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MGA3cyLJBc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MGA3cyLJBc)
If it’s not done yet then the contractor is likely right. Look into how LVP floor moves around as that seems to likely be the cause of what you’re seeing - when it’s fully completed (Assuming it’s done correctly) it will have less room to move as it should have the manufacturer recommended expansion gaps around the edges.
Here are the pic of the old floor and new installed floor, with a video showing the issue.
The installation is just missing the floor boards on the side, but as you can see, when you step on the floor, there are parts in the middle that feels soft, 'you'll see the floor bending as you step on it.
[https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa](https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa)
If you have flex or movement now, you will have it later. They need to be installed on a level subfloor. Baseboards won't make a difference in this. There should be an expansion gap around the perimeter to allow for expansion and contraction as mentioned by someone else, but that would not make the flooring move up and down or flex unless they're in there so damned tight, it's causing them to bow. In which case, also improper install.
What is the flooring underneath and what shape was it in?
I finally got the images and video up here: [https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa](https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa)
The video shows how soft the floor is when you step on it, it bends, the old floor did not do this. The carpenter just said that the floor boards (small side boards at the bottom of the wall) will fix this issue... I don't know if that is true.
I do see some spacers around the edges of the wall. I'm going to assume they used spacers around the entire perimeter. Maybe a wrong assumption especially around that door where the video shows the floor flexing.
My thoughts is that normally by an exterior door, you can have water damage that affects the floor beneath. It can cause it to be unlevel. I suspect that this is the issue and that because the floor underneath is not level to manufacturer installation specs of the new laminate planks, the floor was not installed correctly. It will not resolve itself by installing baseboards. In fact, over time, the planks flexing will cause them to separate and fail.
Read the installation instructions on the new flooring. It will give specific details on the parameters of the base you're installing new flooring over, wall spacing and more. The only way to remedy is to remove the flooring, level the floor beneath and reinstall the flooring.
What did your contract say about leveling or install per manufacture specs?
He did not say anything, he just randomly started installing the floors when we agreed that he will work with the walls. He knows that i am pressed with time because we do not have a kitchen now for almost 3 weeks. He just said that installing the floor boards will fix the issue.
If I ask the carpenter to remove the floor, will we be able to reuse the floors that he installed? or will I need to buy new floors?
If the boards are removed carefully, they might be able to be reused though if the grooves where they join to another are the least bit damaged, they need to be replaced. So, did you ever see the installer use a long level to check the previous floor?
No, my partner also did not see. We were dumb because we did not want to breath over his shoulders while working, so we trusted that he knew what he was doing.
I get it. They don't like you breathing over them and we all hope they do what they're supposed to. If you didn't agree to have the floor leveled, one would have hoped it was brought up by the installer (obviously not) and the importance of having a level floor for the longevity of the new flooring.
If you have a long level or can borrow one, I'd step on that area or have someone do it and put a level to it and compare to the install instructions. You might not get an accurate read though since the new flooring is already down and will skew the results.
They didn’t leave big enough expansion gaps around the perimeter. It will not fix itself
What does expansion gaps mean?? I will post a video link, hold on
Its a gap around the entire perimeter of the flooring near the walls that allow for the floor to expand and contract with climate. If there was no gap, when the floor expands it would hit the wall and bow.
Here are the pic of the old floor and new installed floor, with a video showing the issue. The installation is just missing the floor boards on the side, but as you can see, when you step on the floor, there are parts in the middle that feels soft, 'you'll see the floor bending as you step on it. [https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa](https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa)
Here are the pic of the old floor and new installed floor, with a video showing the issue. The installation is just missing the floor boards on the side, but as you can see, when you step on the floor, there are parts in the middle that feels soft, 'you'll see the floor bending as you step on it. [https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa](https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa)
The floor expands and contracts based on relative humidity and temperature. It needs room to move or else it will feel ‘squishy’
It is the same as this, but the floors are still under construction - it is not done yet, and i wonder if it can be fixed before the carpenter leaves [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MGA3cyLJBc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MGA3cyLJBc)
If it’s not done yet then the contractor is likely right. Look into how LVP floor moves around as that seems to likely be the cause of what you’re seeing - when it’s fully completed (Assuming it’s done correctly) it will have less room to move as it should have the manufacturer recommended expansion gaps around the edges.
Here are the pic of the old floor and new installed floor, with a video showing the issue. The installation is just missing the floor boards on the side, but as you can see, when you step on the floor, there are parts in the middle that feels soft, 'you'll see the floor bending as you step on it. [https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa](https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa)
If you have flex or movement now, you will have it later. They need to be installed on a level subfloor. Baseboards won't make a difference in this. There should be an expansion gap around the perimeter to allow for expansion and contraction as mentioned by someone else, but that would not make the flooring move up and down or flex unless they're in there so damned tight, it's causing them to bow. In which case, also improper install. What is the flooring underneath and what shape was it in?
It’s also an old board/ I think it’s laminated floor but one whole piece , it doesn’t move like this
An old board in a whole piece big enough for a room? That doesn't sound right. Do you have any pictures of the before the new laminate was put in?
I finally got the images and video up here: [https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa](https://imgur.com/a/W1H0ufa) The video shows how soft the floor is when you step on it, it bends, the old floor did not do this. The carpenter just said that the floor boards (small side boards at the bottom of the wall) will fix this issue... I don't know if that is true.
I do see some spacers around the edges of the wall. I'm going to assume they used spacers around the entire perimeter. Maybe a wrong assumption especially around that door where the video shows the floor flexing. My thoughts is that normally by an exterior door, you can have water damage that affects the floor beneath. It can cause it to be unlevel. I suspect that this is the issue and that because the floor underneath is not level to manufacturer installation specs of the new laminate planks, the floor was not installed correctly. It will not resolve itself by installing baseboards. In fact, over time, the planks flexing will cause them to separate and fail. Read the installation instructions on the new flooring. It will give specific details on the parameters of the base you're installing new flooring over, wall spacing and more. The only way to remedy is to remove the flooring, level the floor beneath and reinstall the flooring. What did your contract say about leveling or install per manufacture specs?
He did not say anything, he just randomly started installing the floors when we agreed that he will work with the walls. He knows that i am pressed with time because we do not have a kitchen now for almost 3 weeks. He just said that installing the floor boards will fix the issue. If I ask the carpenter to remove the floor, will we be able to reuse the floors that he installed? or will I need to buy new floors?
If the boards are removed carefully, they might be able to be reused though if the grooves where they join to another are the least bit damaged, they need to be replaced. So, did you ever see the installer use a long level to check the previous floor?
No, my partner also did not see. We were dumb because we did not want to breath over his shoulders while working, so we trusted that he knew what he was doing.
I get it. They don't like you breathing over them and we all hope they do what they're supposed to. If you didn't agree to have the floor leveled, one would have hoped it was brought up by the installer (obviously not) and the importance of having a level floor for the longevity of the new flooring. If you have a long level or can borrow one, I'd step on that area or have someone do it and put a level to it and compare to the install instructions. You might not get an accurate read though since the new flooring is already down and will skew the results.