Laminate flooring on top of parquet

jomomang

We were planning on replacing our lounge carpet with laminate, but were told by a salesperson in Tapi that they do not recommend putting laminate flooring on top of parquet due to potential moisture issues that could cause the laminate to buckle.

There is a suspended wooden floor underneath the parquet.  The parquet flooring was laid when the property was built in the sixties. Sadly it has been cut a number of times and is no longer in a condition to have on display.

Can anyone advise whether what the Tapi salesperson told us is correct please?

WIAWSNB

I suspect he was mistaken, as he may have assumed the parquet was laid on a solid floor, one that may possibly have not had a proper Damp Proof Membrane at the time.
Did he know it was suspended timber?
I cannot see any way a suspended timber floor could cause damp issues here. But I ain't a builder.

jomomang

We did tell her it was on a suspended floor, but that did not change her recommendation.

WIAWSNB

jomomang said:

We did tell her it was on a suspended floor, but that did not change her recommendation.

Either she knows summat we don't, or she's mistaken.
Others will be along on here to confirm which :-)

twopenny

Reading the DIY sites it says it's possible with some considerations.
It should be perfectly level and a moisture resistant membrane installed between the two.
Here is one, there are others 
https://readytodiy.com/can-you-should-you-put-laminate-over-parquet-0051/

Have you checked that the individual pieces of parquet and where they've been cut and completely level?
Running a level board edge over it and hands and knees ear to the ground and look across.

Eldi_Dos

jomomang said:

Can anyone advise whether what the Tapi salesperson told us is correct please?

Most parquet flooring is laid on a impermeable base so the salesperson may have concerns that water finds its way in between the two floor surfaces and adversely effects your new floor covering,it is not uncommon for laminates to be given the once over with a mop now and again.

chrisw

Parquet would be far better than laminate imo. Is there no way it can be restored through sanding or replacement blocks?

MysteryMe

I agree, might be worth getting a parquet flooring fitter in to see if restoration is possible. 

WIAWSNB

Eldi_Dos said:

Most parquet flooring is laid on a impermeable base so the salesperson may have concerns that water finds its way in between the two floor surfaces and adversely effects your new floor covering,it is not uncommon for laminates to be given the once over with a mop now and again.

Surely that would be the case with any sub-surface? And laminate is usually laid on a thin foam layer too - that's also impervious. So any significant water spill could cause problems, regardless of what's under the laminate - parquet no worse than any?

I can see no valid reason for this salesperson's concern; I think they had in mind that parquet was often laid on a solid subfloor, protected only by a bitumen DPM, and it was common for some ground moisture to pass up and be ventilated away safely. 

Jomo, you could try calling another flooring specialist, and explain the situation? Or contact them on line?

Eldi_Dos

@WIAWSNB
when we had parquet laid in a vestibule on a bitumen type base ,water would never drain through it and would just puddle ontop of the parquet till wiped off.I would imagine this is the salespersons legitimate concern and it's possible adverse effect on new laminate.