B&Q LAMINATE FLOORING NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE

elivader

WE BOUGHT THE FLOORING FROM B&Q 3 YEARS AGO ON THE ADVICE OF A SHOP ASSISTANT, WHO STATED IT HAD A 20 YEAR GUARANTEE AND WAS SUITABLE FOR HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS, WE HAD A CARPENTER LAY THE FLOORING IN THE KITCHEN, HALLWAY AND BOTH BATHROOMS
NOW THE FLOORING IS BADLY SCUFFED AT THE EDGES, RAISED UP ON SOME AND CHIPS EVEN IF YOU DROP SOMETHING LIKE A SPOON!!
THE FLOOR IS SLATE GREY SO SHOWS ALL THE MARKS
I COMPLAINED TO B & Q WHO SENT AN "INDEPENDENT" SURVEYOR, WHO CONCLUDED THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO PROVE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM.
I TOOK THE COMPLAINT TO THE OMBUDMAN WHO SAID I HAVE TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT SURVEY AND PROVE THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING FAULT.
MY QUESTION IS...WHY DO THEY HAVE A 20 YEAR GUARANTEE ON A PRODUCT WHICH IS UNFIT FOR PURPOSE AND IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO?
I CAN'T REALLY AFFORD AN INDEPENDENT SURVEYOR.

JJ_Egan

Independent surveyor says it is fit for purpose .

If that was a claim under warranty .

Or you can use your Consumer Rights against the vendor , but they will probably want an independent report .

Ps Your Caps Lock is ON .

oldagetraveller1

It might be suitable for high traffic areas but was it o.k. for bathrooms and kitchens? i.e.possible water and high humidity areas.

I know that the B & Q laminate flooring in my bathroom was most definitely suitable for bathrooms, according to the label on the packs.

That in my kitchen, not B & Q, did specify not suitable for bathrooms but fine for kitchens with the proviso that any liquid must be wiped/removed immediately.

And was the "20 years guarantee" in writing or just a verbal from the assistant?

Aylesbury_Duck

To answer your questions:
The 20 year guarantee will have terms and conditions.  Have you read them?  Is the way the flooring has been laid (and the locations in which it's been installed) in accordance with the manufacturer's advice?  What does the guarantee cover?  I suspect it doesn't cover wear and tear, which is what it sounds like you have.

What else can you do?  Nothing without that surveyor's report.

elivader

JJ_Egan said:

Independent surveyor says it is fit for purpose .

If that was a claim under warranty .

Or you can use your Consumer Rights against the vendor , but they will probably want an independent report .

Ps Your Caps Lock is ON .

Caps lock now off thanks

elivader

oldagetraveller1 said:

It might be suitable for high traffic areas but was it o.k. for bathrooms and kitchens? i.e.possible water and high humidity areas.

I know that the B & Q laminate flooring in my bathroom was most definitely suitable for bathrooms, according to the label on the packs.

That in my kitchen, not B & Q, did specify not suitable for bathrooms but fine for kitchens with the proviso that any liquid must be wiped/removed immediately.

And was the "20 years guarantee" in writing or just a verbal from the assistant?

Yes, suitable for bathrooms, 20 year guarantee is on packaging

elivader

Aylesbury_Duck said:

To answer your questions:
The 20 year guarantee will have terms and conditions.  Have you read them?  Is the way the flooring has been laid (and the locations in which it's been installed) in accordance with the manufacturer's advice?  What does the guarantee cover?  I suspect it doesn't cover wear and tear, which is what it sounds like you have.

What else can you do?  Nothing without that surveyor's report.

Yes I've now read the terms and conditions and it doesn't cover wear and tear. It was laid by a time served carpenter. I think I will have to try to get an independent surveyor.

JJ_Egan

But most guarantees do not cover wear and tear .

Consumer Rights against the vendor , not fit for purpose or should reasonably have lasted longer .

bris

TBH I am not exactly sure what I am looking at in the photo, did you post the wrong photo as that one looks exactly like 3 year old laminate flooring looks like at 3 and I have seen worse  much worse than that.

You want 20 years out of flooring then laminate is the last product you would look at.

sheramber

You need to prove it is faulty and the damage is not caused by other things such as wear and tears, accidental damage ,not being laid correctly- as in expansion was not allowed for so causing edges to rise, being stored correctly before paying..