What is causing this? “The revised report concludes that irritation and breathing problems could occur in everyone exposed to formaldehyde in the tested laminate flooring, not just in sensitive groups. Teepeeing can sometimes be caused by the floor swelling past the expansion gap around the perimeter. The grass that bamboo flooring is manufactured from is all-natural, organic, and readily renewable, with a growth cycle that only takes three to five years to reach full maturity. I’m rightfully very upset as the floors simply look dirty and this is not what I envisioned after spending thousands of dollars on getting this installed throughout the house. You could also hire an NWFA certified inspector to come out and determine what is causing the issue. Questions is will this be Adequate for insulation to stack and acclimate ?so long as input 6 mill or greater . Looking for Bamboo flooring? It might be worth it for you to shoot an email to someone at the National Wood Flooring Associating to see if they have any recommendations. You can see them on the floor when its dried and they’re even more prevalent when the floor is mopped. Hi Andrew! The failure to apply adhesive to concrete slabs at a uniform and consistent rate, at the wrong thickness, or with the wrong trowel is one of the leading causes of hardwood floor cupping. This usually causes a few planks in the middle to “teepee.” If that’s not what’s happening then you might be experiencing cupping or crowning, and the causes for that can differ, from low-quality bamboo flooring to exterior causes related to moisture. Required fields are marked *. Thanks! Permanent cloudy spots on polyurethane finish that was cleaned with mineral spirits. The younger the bamboo is, the softer the floor is going to be. How To Protect Your Bamboo Flooring from Scratching, cut out the planks and replace them with new ones, https://www.woodfloors.org/certified-professional-search.aspx. Atmospheric control is a must when dealing with causes of buckling as well as many other hardwood floor problems. This installer didn’t use 18 gauge cleats. However, it still has vulnerabilities to moisture. The rising popularity of these materials is prompting some farmers to overgrow these plants to the detriment of the natural balance of flora and fauna in their environment. You could also consult a local installer to come out and take a look. Hi Ava! Chemicals used to treat most bamboo flooring emit VOC’s (volatile Organic Compounds) into the air, causing pollution and presenting a health hazard for the inhabitants of a home with bamboo floors. Note: Local-building codes may differ. In extreme but not uncommon cases, so much water condenses that it begins dripping off the surfaces to collect in the bottom of the crawlspace. In some low-quality materials, the adhesive used will contain formaldehyde, which is a toxic substance that can off-gas small amounts of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) over time. If installed in a wet environment where liquids are allowed to sit on the surface of the floor, the planks can be subject to warping, plumping, and staining. That sounds like a real bummer! Your email address will not be published. Acclimation The best way to avoid problems for any flooring product is to be sure that it has reached equilibrium moisture content, or EMC, with the space in which it will be installed. Since everybody’s flooring is a little different and can have different types of finishes, we recommend you contact your flooring manufacturer and ask them what cleaners would be approved to try and remove that cured adhesive without harming your finish. It is very important to acclimate all wood flooring prior to installation. Spaces such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens are especially prone to these problems, and that water in the air can be more damaging to bamboo than direct liquids. You might have already read this in the article, but any bit of the glue that cures on the surface of the flooring is extremely difficult to remove. We had bamboo flooring installed approximately a year ago in our condo in Southern Florida. In the great majority of cases, the cupping is a result of the moisture being emitted from the ground in the crawl space. Since you … Most buckling is caused by no expansion gaps being left around the perimeter of the installation (this is the responsibility of the installer). Protect wet areas with rugs that do not have rubber backs, as these materials can cause discoloration. Now I am finding a lot of grimy, dirt-like spots all over that I have unsuccessfully tried to clean (it looks like a layer of dirt but no amount of scrubbing seems to help). It’s generally recommended that you allot for additional days when acclimating in a very high or low humidity geographical location. Is the floor too tight against the walls and has no room to move. Installer’s Best Friend – Bostik Ultimate Adhesive Remover Wipes. We had Cali Bamboo Hardwood floors glued down at the end of July. Regular maintenance will require a little bit more work. Good luck and let us know if you are successful! Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Avoid turpentine, mineral spirits, paint thinners, and other abrasive cleaners on polyurethane finished hardwoods unless you like cloudy spots on your floor, as these abrasive cleaners can strip finish topcoats. Could this be a manufacturer problem with the bamboo itself? However, it also has some inherent vulnerabilities that can cause challenges under certain conditions. While bamboo is a relatively hard material, it can be subject to scratches, dents, and cracks under certain conditions. There are several scratches in the kitchen and I have tried almost everything but nothing has worked. The bamboo flooring market has been flooded in recent years with poorly manufactured material. When exposed to moisture, bamboo flooring can absorb it, which leads to weakening of the material. If you have a hardwood floor that is glued or nailed down and has started to shrink or change shape within a few months after installation, improper acclimation is one possible culprit. Avoid turpentine, mineral spirits, paint thinners, and … I thought it was possibly from the boots of the installers, so I had them come back out. Crawl spaces are usually below grade, shady, and are naturally cooler than the outside air. However, it is still less vulnerable to damage from … The Origins of Bamboo Flooring. The flooring was sold between 2011 and 2015, and was purchased by 614,000 customers in the United States. Once the humidity drops, the flooring should settle back down. Cali Bamboo Lowes Hardware I have a problem with the bamboo flooring scratching very easily San Diego California . We recommend reaching out to the manufacturer of your flooring to see if they have any advice to help close up those gaps. Many Bamboo flooring mills … It's harder than conventional bamboo, making it extra durable. Using mineral spirits or other abrasive cleaners. Strand woven bamboo and eucalyptus are by far the densest and hardest floors on the market and require properly set 18 gauge cleats when nailed down. Example of using only 20% glue coverage on a slab resulting in cupping. The harvesting process also allows the stalks to be cut without harming the root, so replanting is not necessary. Your email address will not be published. Read the following for information on how to repair common problems that can occur with your engineered bamboo flooring. Although only consumers in California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia were initially covered, the settlement has been expanded to allow Lumber Liquidators to resolve all cl… When we went to clean them the day they were finished installing them, we noticed a lot of marks all over the place. What a bummer! For crawl spaces without ventilation openings, vapor retarder joints must overlap a minimum of 6 inches and be sealed or taped. Author: Clayton, NC. By … Bamboo is denser and more resistant to water damage than most woods, and it does have some mild natural antimicrobial properties. According to the Wood Database, bamboo is a tall grass that … Installer is nowhere to be found!! Floors can be delivered to your … Sorry to hear your installer is missing in action – I hope you get this resolved soon! Lumber Liquidators has tested the air quality in only a fraction of those homes -- … Over time, pet nails, unpadded high heels, and dragging furniture across the floor can cause unsightly marks. The process also makes it look like traditional hardwood flooring. The bamboo … The Internet is loaded with examples of hardwood floors installed over crawl spaces that are cupping, sometimes within just a few weeks of installation. The installer used some type of cleaner to clean the floor; however, none of the marks came off. Check out a variety of styles at LL Flooring. Someone forgot to clean the glue up before it dried. The drawback is that this method weakens the material, making it softer and more prone to damage from impact, abrasion, and liquid staining. This can be the result of several things: defective finish, subfloor moisture, and others. Even small particles of dirt and debris can act like grit to sand and score the flooring over time, resulting in a dull and broken appearance. This can also lead to the growth of mold and mildew, especially in the subfloor. Have technical questions about installing? This article was amazing to read !i am about to purchase strand bamboo 3/8″ engineered fllors . I installed some distressed antique java bamboo which was installed on a wood subfloor with a vapor barrier and nailed in. Any suggestions? Flooring adhesives are notoriously strong and can even hold a car to a wall, so don’t let the glue dry on top of your flooring planks, or you’ll be left with cloudy spots where the topcoat of the finish used to be. The floating bamboo flooring can be happened after installation, in such way it looks for … The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. It's a myth that bamboo flooring excessively expands and contracts in dry or humid climates. Mold Problems Before installing traditional bamboo floors, installers should look for grayish, streaky discoloration in the planks. If in doubt, always glue down or nail down a floor. Oh no! Problems with cheap bamboo… Flooring: Cali Bamboo San Diego, California. By using The Spruce, you accept our, The Best Residential Flooring Options for Aging Adults, Best Wood Flooring Options for Homes With Dogs. I have solid bamboo floors installed with 18 gauge cleats. This issue can be eliminated by only purchasing from reputable dealers that have the proper certifications and emission standards. They are buckling pretty badly in some spots. !it is fall now here and is relativity drywith some humid day in summer …thanks for you time ! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And as a method of last resort you can cut out the planks and replace them with new ones. It doesn’t. Types of Vinyl Flooring Materials: Tile, Sheet Vinyl, and Luxury Vinyl, Understanding Solid and Engineered Bamboo Flooring. It is lovely except it gouges and scratches with ease. Aug 16 2018 03:28 PM . Even if there are no threats of splashed and puddled water, humidity can still cause problems for bamboo flooring. Cracking. When the warm, moist outside air blows in the crawlspace through vents or other air leaks, the moisture in the humid air condenses on the cooler surfaces just like water condenses on a cold glass of ice water sitting on your counter. We recommend you send photos of the issue to the manufacturer of your floor and ask them for advice. I am getting some bubbles in the floor what is the best way to fix these bubbles? Strand woven bamboo is an excellent floor choice because it lessens the probability of scratches. Have you reached out to the manufacturer of your flooring about this issue? I have a bamboo floor which was installed in Oct 2012. However, avoid any issues by making sure bamboo flooring is properly dried and acclimated to your home's environment a week before installation. Here's what to look for in order to locate quality bamboo flooring: Raw Material. First thing we would recommend you do is to call the manufacturer of your flooring to see if there are any known issues with that batch. Bamboo may look like wood, but it is a grass that is shredded down and then molded back together using heat, pressure, and adhesive. Engineered bamboo floors are more resistant to moisture than traditional bamboo flooring, and are far more resistant to cupping and scratches. There is a lot of misinformation on the internet about bamboo flooring. They were acclimated for 72+ hours and are not butting up against baseboards. Hope that helps! Sorry to hear that! Bamboo Flooring Acclimation. I have engineered bamboo floors that were recently damaged by appliances being installed. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Can this be fixed short of ripping up the entire floor? We recently got engineered bamboo floors installed and the person doing the job used a combination of glue and lacquer thinner. Improper Installation Techniques Still, there are factors ‘during’ installation that can easily contribute to potential buckling problems… It can seep into your floor cracks and crevices and cause long-term damage to the planks. To avoid this problem, you must never allow moisture to accumulate on the bamboo flooring. Understanding the limitations of the material, and the reaction that it will have to elements like liquids, humidity, staining agents, and high-traffic use, will help you to make an informed purchasing decision about whether to use bamboo flooring planks for your flooring. I’m sorry to hear you are having issues with your flooring. Please feel free to let us know in the comments section below! I have a crawl space that is vented ,with about 3ft of space ,joist have no insulation but have an old thermal paper . Bamboo is a distinctive and beautiful natural flooring choice with numerous attractive qualities that it can lend to a variety of environments. You might have to send them photos of the marks as well as information on what was used to install and clean the floors. But Cali Bamboo vinyl plank flooring has a name problem! Sweeping and vacuuming regularly will help to get rid of small dirt particles that can cause scratches. Thanks Joseph! Hi there, I have blonde (gold) bamboo flooring also in the house when I bought it. This is … Inexpensive bamboo flooring is susceptible to scratches and dings. Your … about bamboo flooring installation error is that you allot for additional days when acclimating in a high... To use a bamboo flooring problems less vulnerable to damage from … bamboo is a flooring expert who home... 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