Floor in New Home not Level

10 years ago

We had a new home built and moved in this June (Canada). We noted a few spots that are soft enough that when you step on them the flooring sinks at least 1/4" under foot during the initial inspection. About a week later, I noticed that a wine bottle on the island would rattle when I walked past the fridge. I used a 24" level and went around the house checking and found it would spin in place in many areas. It seems that there are high ridges from front to back of the house - the same direction the laminate is installed.

The framer came out and cut through one joist to try to pull it down and then laminated another joist to it. This helped a bit in the kitchen but he said it was still not within the tolerance limit.

The builder sent a rep from the flooring company to inspect it but he didn't have information on the product and brought no tools so it was a waste of time. He said that it is normal to have give with a laminate click and lock floor. Last week an inspector from the home warranty program came out - also without tools or specs. He sent me a letter this week saying the floor was within the tolerance limit of 1/4" over 32". I asked for a report that indicated where he had tested and the results of each test knowing he had not done any. I was told he is a professional and the builder values his opinion.

We disagree. We used a laser level and a ruler to test ourselves. We put the laser level on the floor on a high spot and held it level. We stood the ruler about 32" from the laser level and then took a picture of the ruler that showed where the beam from the laser level hit and it ranged from 1/4" to 1/2" in five of the six places we tested which was two areas in MBR, two in kitchen and one in a smaller bedroom.

I also emailed the manufacturer of the flooring to ask if they could provide the specs. We are not sure how to proceed. Is the method we used to test appropriate or is there another way that is the industry standard?

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly welcomed. We are feeling very discouraged by the process and the results in our new home. There seems to have been no quality control during the building process.

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Comments (4)

User
10 years ago
You've got bigger problems than the floor covering if you've got that many out of level spots and that much bounce. Contact your local codes office and ask them about the inspections that were performed during construction and how the state enforces it's builder mandated warranty program. Take it up the food chain at the warranty company.
cheryleb
Original Author
10 years ago
Unfortunately, here in Canada the regulations are not that stringent. Many buyers are under the impression that the warranty is intended to protect them but in fact it is to protect the builders.

The final city inspection was never done because the builder forgot to tell me they had scheduled it. I called shortly after I moved in and the inspector suggested I wait a few months to give them time to address some of the many concerns. I called last week and they are going to schedule the final inspection. I am slightly hopeful.
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attofarad
10 years ago
I don't know where you got the " 1/4 inch in 32 inches " tolerance. It is usually 1/4 inch in 10 feet, with an additional requirement of maybe 1/8" in 4 feet. That is flatness, not level (i.e., you could be sloped uniformly and still be perfectly flat), but the level shouldn't be bad either.

Rooms added to my house in 1968, 20 years before I bought it, had about 1" drop in 13 feet, but the floor is pretty much flat, just not level.
cheryleb
Original Author
10 years ago
The 1/4" in 32" is from the warranty documentation. The inspector came out and visually inspected but measured nothing and then sent the letter saying it was within the limit.