Problem with new wood floors: gaps, protruding nails, uneven planks!
We recently finished a renovation that included demolition of interior walls and the replacement of some of the wood floors. The original parquet is all beautiful and sturdy. But the new sections are problematic. There are gaps as wide as 1/8″ between some of the boards. You’ll be walking and suddenly scrape your foot or tear your sock on a nail that’s popped up — hammer it down and it pops back up the next day. And some boards have as much as 3/16″ of a difference in height. It’s become dangerous for us to walk on our own floors, especially for our toddler. Our contractor is trying to explain it away by saying the wood was installed in the summer so has shrunk now that it’s winter. He says the steam radiators don’t help. But shouldn’t that have been accounted for when the floors were put in? Everyone in New York has radiators and lives in a climate with four seasons but never in my life have I been in a house with dozens of nails sticking up — much less a brand new house. The contractor sent some guys to put in wood filler and hammer the nails down but we already know hammers don’t do the job and wood filler also seems like a temporary fix. We sent them away and now have to have a serious talk with the contractor. Do we need to insist that the floors be entirely redone at his expense? And if so, how do we ensure this doesn’t happen again? Does anyone have an idea of why this is happening? It would help if we had some knowledge going into what will surely be a tough negotiation. The renovation is complete, he’s been paid, and though we have a one-year guarantee for the work, we worry about his incentive to follow through on that given he’s got his money.
peztops
in Flooring 13 years and 3 months ago
9
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9 replies
restorationcontractor | 13 years and 3 months ago
O.P. states this is a “brand new house”, no, it is a possibly, at least in the flooring, a poorly renovated house. I would be willing to bet, as eman also said, the problem is bad subflooring. That said, was the GC or the flooring contractor paid to replace the subflooring? Maybe it wasn’t “in the budget”? I always say you get what you pay for. I had a customer ask me today if I would like to match a lower bid from a firm I know is going to screw up their job royally. My polite answer was “no thank you” that was not however the answer I was thinking of.
stevecym | 13 years and 3 months ago
Newly installed flooring, believe it or not, must be sanded. Now, I just installed some for a patch and low and behold, it was the same height, but we still had to sand it as there were mill marks on the wood. Also, they should have dried that wood out before putting it in and let it expand into place. if they install it properly and it expands too much, it should not pop up. I am not sure what to say about that nail but maybe your carpenter never graduated from elementary school? Steve
pigthree | 13 years and 3 months ago
the height difference is where the newly installed floor meets the original? Your original floors have probably been scraped or sanded several times. new flooring was not as thin. should have been explained up front & properly delt with by the flooring installer. Another issue with the GC type contract. GCs try to save as much as possible on subs to maximize their profits.
rh | 13 years and 3 months ago
Wood does expand and contract with the weather, but that’s no excuse for a bad job. Is the new flooring just boards, not tongue and groove? I’m curious as to why they are all face nailed when usually the nails are hidden with T&G. Is that something you asked for? It doesn’t look like reclaimed flooring, but if it is, that can account for the varying heights…even though the board planing should have been including in your cost. Nobody wants an uneven floor! Of course this should be rectified. Pshww. Contractors. Good luck!
peztops | 13 years and 3 months ago
It’s a mystery who the flooring sub is at this point. The GC is our point of contact but I would like to know. Here are some pictures, which should help explain the problem.
http://cdn.brownstoner.com/4f3d365a11407-processed-gaps_small_2.jpg
http://cdn.brownstoner.com/4f3d3663eb8f7-processed-gaps_small_3.jpg
http://cdn.brownstoner.com/4f3d3671f0f9a-processed-nails_small.jpg
http://cdn.brownstoner.com/4f3d367e472e3-processed-nails_small_2.jpg
pigthree | 13 years and 3 months ago
Here is another example of the GC relationship being contentious with the owner. Did the GC discuss material choices vs costs for your flooring? Or have a qualified flooring sub install the floor?
SewardWasRight | 13 years and 3 months ago
I think you frame the “negotiaton” this way 1) you paid for floors that should be level, installed properly, and with no defects; 2) you selected this contractor based upon recommmendations and the fact that he has a 1-yr make-things-right policy; 3) you want him to consider No. 1 (above), so you ask him how he would like to address repairing your floors – for which you paid a great deal – to your satisfaction. Now, if his answer is not to your satisfaction, reiterate No. 1\. If he still can or will not repair your floors to your satisfaction, then you let him know that you do not want to have to take the steps that greenmt and allans make (above). If that still doesn’t work, then take those steps, because, at this point, it is clear that he is not going to to make things right to your satisfaction.
allans | 13 years and 3 months ago
I think posting here is step #1\. You should let us know who this contractor is so potential clients can make sure it does not happen to them. Also mention to your contractor that you will proceed with a negative review on Brownstoner if he / she does not fix the work or finds a resolution. Attach pictures here so we can better understand or view the problem. Check this link out as well, has some good info regarding this subject: http://www.woodfloorsonline.com/techtalk/woodwater6.html
greenmountain | 13 years and 3 months ago
I notice in this forum advice is given on how to keep government out, Departments of Buildings, Health, etc. But now, it seems you need the Department of Consumer Affairs. Of course you chose one of the more expensive of your three bids. The contractor you selected pays a lot of money for their insurance polices and keeps up their reputation with a record of no prior complaints at the DCA. They even pay in to a bond fund to make you whole. And, they pay bi-annual fees to prosecute the few bad apples. Just, copy down the license number from the top of your contract and mention it with your complaint. If they were not licensed, that might make the work of the DCA on your behalf a bit harder, but even more, I hope you do complain.