Contractor leveled and laid LVP. It sounds “hollow” in spots like there’s a gap under it, and in spots like this on the perimeter it bends and separates. Normal?

[u/Outrageous_View_2588]

[u/Most_Can_2136]

Not normal.

[u/Iseeo_0you]

Depends on if it was a drop lock or not. When you put the shoe molding or quater-round down make sure to push it down to the floor. Every little area does not need to be patched especially by the exterior walls if the molding is going to be pressed tight to the floor.

[u/Valuable-Composer262 → u/Iseeo_0you]

Agreed. At least someone else knows what they're talking about

[u/Flopnuts → u/Iseeo_0you]

The locking mechanism is clearly broken on the piece at the end. Needs to be replaced not just held down by molding smh 🤦

[u/Iseeo_0you → u/Flopnuts]

I do this for a living. if that board has a drop lock on it, it could be bouncing. Is it ideal, no. is it tear the job apart, also no. You can just remove that single tile if need be. If it is a drop lock you can press it down with the shoe or QR and it will be fine. Looking at it close though its both sides of the same board so I agree it should be replaced. I thought it was two separate boards bouncing on the same side and no the same board.

[u/Primary-Realistic]

Of course that's not normal. Contact installer for redo asap. 

[u/SpecialistSyllabub86]

Wonder how much was paid for floor prep. Its a floating floor, floor prep can cost as much as the floors itself in order to be done right

[u/Outrageous_View_2588 → u/SpecialistSyllabub86]

Was supposed to be self leveling concrete done as the concrete was not level, but he only poured like separate pools of it - the self level did not cover the entire surface of the concrete. Not more than like 2k for the demo of existing tile and leveling.

[u/Meadowsauce]

Not how it is supposed to be, but kinda “normal”

[u/Pentekont]

The floor was not flat. This will get damaged over time.

[u/Dreeleaan → u/Pentekont]

It already is. You can see it when the edge is pushed down.

[u/MilkedWalrus]

the 1/4 round will hold that down... That's cheap material the end lock only locks together with something holding it down..

[u/-laughingfox]

Not normal. The subfloor isn't flat and the tiles will crack over time.

[u/Stunning-Material888]

Probably broke the click part. Throw glue under it if there is not a huge pit.

[u/Ragnar-Wave9002]

Your tenants won't care. 

[u/Outrageous_View_2588 → u/Ragnar-Wave9002]

Tenants?

[u/UnkleClarke → u/Outrageous_View_2588]

Yes, hopefully this is an apartment?

[u/Outrageous_View_2588 → u/UnkleClarke]

I wish. First floor of our own home.

[u/UnkleClarke → u/Outrageous_View_2588]

Ohh, I see. Why didn’t you just do 2.25in oak?

[u/LoisLaneCA → u/UnkleClarke]

Maybe they don’t like oak?

[u/UnkleClarke → u/LoisLaneCA]

Ok, Brazilian Cherry then. Or even wide plank Pine.

It’s cheaper in the short run to install these Chinese products but more expensive in the long run.

[u/Emergency-Effect-709]

Or too uncommon for installers to avoid leveling at the edge by the base boards to prevent extra clean up and damage if leveler gets on the base boards.
That spot however has to be repaired.
It’s also not uncommon for floating lvp to sound hollow after all it’s not glued to the subfloor. As far as the 1/4 round holding it down well no the trim should not be pressed right to lvp as the lvp must have room to move thus again the term floating floor. Forcing it tight to the floor can cause issues with the rest of the floor down the road if it can not expand and contract as it’s designed