Static Shocks since Laminate Fitted

Mac_Sami

I had laminate flooring with underlay fitted in my new build flat on Friday.

Since then I've been getting static shocks when touching anything metal, such as door handles and switches on electrical sockets.

From what I've read it's to do with the underlay being a good insulator, and so there is a static buildup. Since cleaning the floor i.e. hoovering and mopping it, the dust has gone and I've just about cured the problem. However, unpacking a stainless steel bin from it's packaging gave me an almightly crack when I touched the bin after placing it on the floor.

Is this something I should be particularly concerned about, and if not, how the hell do I stop it!

Thanks

sallyrsm

I can't help I am afraid but I'd love to read other answers. My Mum had a new carpet fitted (not a nylon one) and after about four months the same thing happened to her ie not straight away so not the carpet. She gets terrible shocks and a couple of times she has touched my DS and given him such a shock it's made him cry.
Could it be something as simple as shoes/slippers??

keith1950

Hi, the static build up is on you. By fitting the laminate you have ,as said , improved insulation and so when you touch or go near to touch certain items the charge discharges to earth from you ,via , say for example ,a radiator or light switch. By improving the insulation you have reduced the amount of charge that can naturally leak away and as the charge builds up it will eventually find a path to earth. There is nothing to worry about, I assure you.

toejumper

how strange i had laminate fitted all on the ground level years ago and never had any shocks or anything maybe it could be from your socks

Mac_Sami

Thanks for confirming my thoughts. I've tried wearing different shoes which made little difference, but as I said, since I cleaned the apartment after having the flooring fitted, I just about stopped getting static shots - I'm guessing because of the insulation, plus the fact the apartment was quite dry and dusty.

Hopefully another clean through will do the trick.

Mac_Sami

sallyrsm wrote: »

I can't help I am afraid but I'd love to read other answers. My Mum had a new carpet fitted (not a nylon one) and after about four months the same thing happened to her ie not straight away so not the carpet. She gets terrible shocks and a couple of times she has touched my DS and given him such a shock it's made him cry.
Could it be something as simple as shoes/slippers??

Another possibility is a change in humidity. Having a watered plant, bowl or water or a humidifier in the room may help.

Steve_xx

Keith1950 is spot on with his answer, as is Mac Sami.

In addition you will find yourself less prone to static build up if you wear natural fibred clothing, ie cotton or wool. Man made fibres are a nightmare, particularly acrylic, nylon and polyester. Polyester/cotton mixes, ie 50/50 are not quite as bad.

If you tend to drag your feet along the floor you will tend to pick up static charge. If you are a woman wearing nylon stockings you will tend to pick up static charge more readily.

The problem with man made fibred clothing is that the clothing rubs against the hairs on the skin during movement of the body and this builds up a static charge in the body that is discharged when you touch any item that is suitably earthed.

It's a bit annoying when it happens. The shock that you feel happens when you get quite close to something that is earthed. The charge in your body leaps to the earthed item and you feel a shock. You can minimise the effect of the shock by touching the earthed item quickly so as not to allow the charge to leap from you to the earthed item, if you know what I mean?

ajtrader100

Mac_Sami wrote: »

I had laminate flooring with underlay fitted in my new build flat on Friday.

Since then I've been getting static shocks when touching anything metal, such as door handles and switches on electrical sockets.

From what I've read it's to do with the underlay being a good insulator, and so there is a static buildup. Since cleaning the floor i.e. hoovering and mopping it, the dust has gone and I've just about cured the problem. However, unpacking a stainless steel bin from it's packaging gave me an almightly crack when I touched the bin after placing it on the floor.

Is this something I should be particularly concerned about, and if not, how the hell do I stop it!

Thanks

Some laminates actually come with anti-static agents in them, a carbon glue during the manufacturing process. Unfortunately not all laminate floors have this property and you may continue to get shocks of the floor as there is no place for your electrostatic charge to go until you earth it on something conductive; usually a light switch, TV, etc. The underlay will not do a great deal i'm afraid.

Mac_Sami

Just thought I'd follow this one up - I think a mix of dry air and dust from the laminate was causing quite a bit of static. Since having a thorough clean through and moving all of the furniture in, the static shocks have gone.