laminate flooring...help!

rb_in_va

I am having problems installing a laminate floor. The instructions say to join the end of the plank, then tilt the pieces up and into the long groove. This works fine for 2 pieces, but when I do three pieces the part I just completed pops out. And I have up to 5 planks to do in this room! Help!

KUIPORNG

I am going to do similar thing.... would like to see the answer as well... but just want to know are you using some good quality laminate or some kind of not so good ones? because I tried mine and found them hard to disconnect once connected... I wonder would the quality has anything to do with this....

ok after thinking about it more,... do you mean it pop off at the short edge rather than the long edge?.... I found it hard for it to pop off at the long edge... if it is the short edge being pop off... this may be only the first row, as once you got the second rows or more, they should be more difficult to pop off as long as you make every row start with a different length plank....

RippySkippy

it is a PITA I agree. Try to not flip the run up as far when connecting and using more pressure to connect. When it gets down to smaller pieces, take a block plane and shave just a small bit off the top of the tongue, it'll snap in easier. Don't take too much though...it can mess up the allignment with the neighboring plank.

AtlanticWBConst.

rb,

We usually snap the planks in one at a time (on the long sides) and then use a design specific (Matches the exact tab end contours of the plank) 'tapping-block' ...... to tap the plank into the butt end of the previously laid planks....

Do you have a taping block for the flooring that you are installing?

It's important that all joints fit snuggly....

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KUIPORNG

I found this document which seems very helpful

http://www.shawfloors.com/DOWNLOADS/...ood%20Look.pdf

rb_in_va

This is my problem. The instructions with the install kit say to do it the way I stated in the original post. In my research I have seen other people say to do it the way you describe. I'm going to take a piece of scrap that will fit inito the groove, and I can tap on the to slide the piece I am working into the preceeding piece. I'll let you know how it works out. I can take pics if need be.

AtlanticWBConst.

Just make sure that the tapping block or other material used is shaped in such a way as to be able tomove the entire plank without damaging the factory 'butt-end' tabs on it. Very important....

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Zero Punch

Some lams are meant to be joined on the short end then install the whole length at one time. It takes a bit of practice and patience . Some installers who work these regularly floors make ramp blocks to hold the planks at the right angle and prevent them from coming apart as new planks are added. I have used full cartons do the same thing.

rb_in_va

Nope, didn't work. And this product is probably one of the cheaper ones out there.

Floorwizard

Which brand is this?