Hello,
I finally decided to register here and hope to get some expert advice.
We installed about 150m² (1,615 sq ft) of oak lava oil-finished wide plank flooring. The planks are quite rustic, and the offer already mentioned that occasional checks (splits) may occur and are excluded from the warranty.
So far, about 100 spots in our apartment have been repaired where the top layer slightly peeled off: the affected areas were cut out and filled with a black wax stick. Some of these spots are quite large, and the repairs are clearly visible. For us, 100 spots are no longer "occasional," as stated in the offer.
Now, some of these repaired spots, as well as other areas, are peeling again. We are especially concerned about potential injury risks since we have a 6-month-old daughter who will soon start crawling.
Today, the owner of the parquet company finally came to inspect the floor personally. Some planks will be replaced as a goodwill gesture. At the same time, he said that this is completely normal for this grade of flooring, that he has the same floor at home, it is his best-selling product, and that we are the first to complain about it.
Fortunately, we are in a strong negotiating position, but I don’t want to go into that here (family connections).
But now the question remains: Is this really normal? Extensive online research has not really helped me.
I hope to get some answers here.
Best regards and many thanks in advance
I finally decided to register here and hope to get some expert advice.
We installed about 150m² (1,615 sq ft) of oak lava oil-finished wide plank flooring. The planks are quite rustic, and the offer already mentioned that occasional checks (splits) may occur and are excluded from the warranty.
So far, about 100 spots in our apartment have been repaired where the top layer slightly peeled off: the affected areas were cut out and filled with a black wax stick. Some of these spots are quite large, and the repairs are clearly visible. For us, 100 spots are no longer "occasional," as stated in the offer.
Now, some of these repaired spots, as well as other areas, are peeling again. We are especially concerned about potential injury risks since we have a 6-month-old daughter who will soon start crawling.
Today, the owner of the parquet company finally came to inspect the floor personally. Some planks will be replaced as a goodwill gesture. At the same time, he said that this is completely normal for this grade of flooring, that he has the same floor at home, it is his best-selling product, and that we are the first to complain about it.
Fortunately, we are in a strong negotiating position, but I don’t want to go into that here (family connections).
But now the question remains: Is this really normal? Extensive online research has not really helped me.
I hope to get some answers here.
Best regards and many thanks in advance
ateliersiegel8 Nov 2023 15:50100 defects in 150sqm (1,615 sq ft) seems like a lot to me as well. In such cases, I always find photos very helpful.
The skill someone has in making excuses certainly varies.
"The first ones to complain" ... might be true, might not be.
What I can imagine is that for you, small spots already count as defects that someone else might “overlook”?
If a fabric cloth gets caught or you could get splinters, then I definitely consider that a defect. If it is "just" cosmetic, it can be seen differently.
One criterion for me would be: What causes me more trouble as a floor user?
Will I be annoyed for life?
... but actually it’s not that bad?
What does it mean to fundamentally repair the floor?
Will it then be redone completely?
Does that cost anything?
How do I handle the renovation situation?
Do I trust the tradesperson to really do better the second time?
Is there a refund and another tradesperson who does it?
Can I find one?
How long will it take?
Are these, as is common, tongue-and-groove boards?
How can individual boards be replaced?
As far as I know, you have to remove all the floorboards up to the one to be replaced.
Did they explain that?
Lots of questions you should answer for yourself beforehand.
Good luck
The skill someone has in making excuses certainly varies.
"The first ones to complain" ... might be true, might not be.
What I can imagine is that for you, small spots already count as defects that someone else might “overlook”?
If a fabric cloth gets caught or you could get splinters, then I definitely consider that a defect. If it is "just" cosmetic, it can be seen differently.
One criterion for me would be: What causes me more trouble as a floor user?
Will I be annoyed for life?
... but actually it’s not that bad?
What does it mean to fundamentally repair the floor?
Will it then be redone completely?
Does that cost anything?
How do I handle the renovation situation?
Do I trust the tradesperson to really do better the second time?
Is there a refund and another tradesperson who does it?
Can I find one?
How long will it take?
Are these, as is common, tongue-and-groove boards?
How can individual boards be replaced?
As far as I know, you have to remove all the floorboards up to the one to be replaced.
Did they explain that?
Lots of questions you should answer for yourself beforehand.
Good luck
Luttrich schrieb:
I finally had to register here and hope to get some expert information.As first steps, I recommend 1. illustrating your description with meaningful photos (! - not just extremely zoomed-in);
2. then you can call in the "in-house expert" ;-) yourself using the format "@Luttrich" (@KlaRa).
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
ateliersiegel schrieb:
What I can imagine is that for you, small spots are already considered defects that someone else might "overlook"?
If a fabric cleaning cloth gets caught or if you can get splinters, then I definitely consider that a defect. If it's "only" a visual issue, one might see it differently. We are certainly a bit more sensitive, but also because we have small children. In the kids’ room, a splinter about 20cm (8 inches) long came off a floorboard, which is obviously dangerous. Visually, however, it’s not a big deal for us—it hardly shows:
It’s wood, and it naturally expands and contracts, which is understandable and acceptable to me. More unpleasant, however, are the spots that have already been patched but are partially "splitting open" again, with the explanation that "there are air pockets under the top wood layer, so it sometimes just comes loose, which is completely normal" (quote):
Are we being too sensitive? These are only a few examples. The spot in the office is visually the worst. It is now supposed to be replaced, although a “built-in” office cabinet stands on that floorboard. The board will be cut, and only the half with the repair will be replaced.
I’ll call the expert and ask for their opinion @KlaRa
Basically, for wooden floorboards, decking boards, and all wood-based materials:
Splintering, which poses a risk of injury, must not occur under any circumstances!
Depending on the grading criteria (which can be found on the product datasheet or should be indicated on the packaging),
any cracks filled with black filler have already exceeded the limit of reasonable acceptance.
There are different grading requirements depending on the grade the customer has agreed on with the retailer (or as advertised for the flooring).
For the grade with the lowest requirements, the following apply:
However, the color difference of the filler must not be as pronounced as shown in the picture/photo, and the size or length of the cracks would also be a reason to question the original grading.
As soon as the visual appearance is significantly impaired by filled cracks, knots, or sapwood, the retailer can no longer justify a lower purchase price.
Unless the builder was clearly informed about these aspects before purchase.
--------------------
Regards, KlaRa
Splintering, which poses a risk of injury, must not occur under any circumstances!
Depending on the grading criteria (which can be found on the product datasheet or should be indicated on the packaging),
any cracks filled with black filler have already exceeded the limit of reasonable acceptance.
There are different grading requirements depending on the grade the customer has agreed on with the retailer (or as advertised for the flooring).
For the grade with the lowest requirements, the following apply:
- Knots of unlimited size
- Filled knots and filled cracks
- Sapwood as well as natural grain variations
- Strong color and texture differences
However, the color difference of the filler must not be as pronounced as shown in the picture/photo, and the size or length of the cracks would also be a reason to question the original grading.
As soon as the visual appearance is significantly impaired by filled cracks, knots, or sapwood, the retailer can no longer justify a lower purchase price.
Unless the builder was clearly informed about these aspects before purchase.
--------------------
Regards, KlaRa
KlaRa schrieb:
A floorboard must never splinter in a way that poses a risk of injury! [****]
Depending on the grading criteria (which are listed on the product data sheet or should be noted on the outer packaging), [****]
For cracks filled with a black filler, the limit for goodwill has already been exceeded. [****] It seems some parts of the text got lost
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/