How can I prevent my floating floor from buckling due to expansion and contraction issues without having to call a professional?
Asked by Donna Ortinskiy 
4 months ago
Last Updated: May 8, 2024
I’ve had this floor since last Labor Day, but recently it started buckling. I know floating floors can expand and contract, but do you have any tips for fixing this issue without having to call a professional?
You could try running a dehumidifier. Check under door jambs, cabinets, fireplaces, etc. Remove baseboards and inspect the expansion gap. If necessary, use a Dremel tool to enlarge the gap.
Seems like it might be falling apart too.
Just like Laura mentioned, remove the baseboards. I installed a similar type of floor before and the instructions stated to leave at least a 1/4″ gap wherever it touches the room’s perimeter…including walls, cabinets, door frames (check under them as well, to ensure it’s not sticking) and adjust the gap as needed.
Another potential cause of this issue, although I can’t confirm from the picture, could be excessive weight on the floor.
I once worked on a house where the new owner complained of buckling. It turned out he placed 3 extremely heavy executive desks in the room, one on almost every wall, each weighing over 200 lbs.
The flooring contractor suggested that these desks were so heavy that they were preventing the floor from properly expanding and contracting with temperature changes.