Laying chipboard flooring, can the instructions really be correct?

[Peter_K]

Have started laying the floor but it's completely impossible to get them together completely, there's a gap of 1-2 mm between the boards no matter how hard I try. Shouldn't it be possible to get them completely together?

 

[SC Aero]

Have you not placed them upside down?

 

[Peter_K]

No, no. The text this side down is facing down.

 

[JOW]

Take a block of about 30cm and tap with the hammer, then when you have a small piece of chipboard left with a tongue, you can take it and tap with that instead (because it protects the tongue better).

Sometimes there will be a small gap, nothing to worry about, the main thing is that you have glue properly so that it squeezes up a little.

 

[Peter_K]

Will try on the next row. You’re a bit afraid of damaging the tongue and groove because then it will likely be even harder with the next row.

 

[Bernieberg]

No. The text "this side down" is facing down.

I myself changed the brand of boards between two rooms. I had then laid about 40 sqm and had the mantra "this side up" firmly imprinted on my mind. After a few boards, I saw that on the new ones it said "this side down"

 

[Peter_K]

Oh dear 😱

 

[schmakita]

May become difficult also if the reglar are not completely flat or completely level with each other (also typical in old houses). It can help not to screw the screws all the way in until you have placed the boards around.

 

[JOW]

Do not screw the last screw closest to the tongue until the next sheet is in place...

 

[Peter_K]

Maybe it was what I did wrong. Oh well, those discs probably can't be loosened or moved now, but there are still some left to lay

 

[JOW]

It holds up well anyway.

 

[Peter_K]

Now it's done. Feels more stable and quieter than before.

 

[avendere]

Joining the thread a bit...

I have the same problem, floor chipboard purchased at Krauta, the text "This side down" is also here, assuming it's the same brand as TS.

The chipboard is placed with the correct side down, the studs are c/c 600 leveled with a laser and are within 2 mm / 2 m. Despite this, I cannot fully join the tongues and grooves... the best I can achieve is a 1 - 2 mm gap and I'm hitting for "king and country"...

Any tips? - The only thing I can think of, besides a manufacturing defect, is that the boards have not acclimatized long enough in the space they are to be installed (about 4 days so far)... Tried shorter cut-off pieces and they fit together, albeit stiffly..

Best regards: Marcus