what is supposed to be under my carpet?

September 1, 2006, 07:51 AM

Hi again floor pros!

I didn't get to see what all went on with carpet installation in my new house. What I think happened is that the OSB subloor is all that's beneath the carpet pad. There's one or two spots (and they're placed in high-traffic areas) where a void or missing chip in the top layer of the subfloor makes a low spot you can feel when you walk around. It's not a big deal, but it kind of bugs me.

So, is this typical? Would an installer (one of you super awesome installers) usually leave this? Is there a way to fix it? Should I do anything different when i get new carpet next time?

I know that under the hardwood they put down some felt, and under the vinyl there's something or other, but I think my carpet pad sits right on this OSB, and is that a proper install or not?

Thanks for your time!

tony lamar · September 1, 2006, 01:48 PM

Theoretically, it could be as you suspect, however, I would suspect voids in the padding itself. Sometimes, the top will appear to be intact, but there will be a soft spot or even some pad missing underneath. Could be hard to see sometimes during installation. Seems like it'd have to be a big ol' chunk missing in the osb to be detected under carpet and pad.

Nick Arrera · September 1, 2006, 02:25 PM

I agree with tony , a lot of times even the expensive rebound pad can be missing areas of pad , or it is thinner and less dense .. i cut them out and replace them with good pad and duct tape the seams .. If thats the problem i dont see why they can't pull the cpt back and fix it ..

Jim McClain · September 5, 2006, 06:35 PM

The flakes of wood in OSB are usually pretty thin and you would have to be extremely sensitive to feel the void left by one under a pad and carpet. However, it is possible to have a gouge or some accident that took out a thick enough area to feel the difference. In this case, I would think the installer should be prepared to fix this with a little floor patch. I've had to do it before and it's not a big deal. I also find plywood subfloors that have a similar problem. Floor patch is one of those things I always have with me and it's never taken so much time and patching compound that I felt I had to charge extra for it. I did an estimate once where the subfloor was in pretty bad shape and needed considerable preperation before carpet would be ready to install. I added a little extra in to cover it, submitted the proposal and got the job only because no one else even mentioned the condition of the subfloor when he asked them about it later. I guess he wanted someone who would pay attention to details.

On a possitive note, your problem could prob'ly be repaired. It might be a task that could take only a short time up to several hours, depending on the location and involvement in getting to it and restretching the carpet back, but it can be done.

R'gards,

Jim

TFP Admin · September 5, 2006, 06:47 PM

Some of the posts in this thread were moved to another forum, Flooring Potpourri. No posts have been harmed.

Steve Olson · September 5, 2006, 07:43 PM

I think you should call the shop or person that installed the floor, express your concern, and ask for resolution of the problem. I don't know all the details of your install, but I don't think that you would be out of line at all, in making the phone call. A reputable business or installer, wants a happy customer. A happy customer will tell their friends who installed their new floors, a unhappy customer will complain to ANYONE that will listen....

Danny Ferguson · September 5, 2006, 07:50 PM

Good point SK. A happy customer will tell 3 to 5 people, an unhappy customer will tell 7 to 10 people. We likey the happy customer here.

rgfloor · September 11, 2006, 01:46 PM

Your installer probably used a 'stinger' instead of a proper stretcher with poles and that is why you feel lumps. Get them to take it up and make sure they use a pole stretcher to re-install with.