Laminate flooring is one of the most durable types of flooring on the market, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be damaged.
Moisture, impacts from sharp objects and improper installation can cause imperfections in your floor. Without proper maintenance, laminate floors look worn, old and unwelcoming. When these damages are present, you have several options to repair the flaws and hide the scratches. Don’t worry, the fix can usually be done by you. In this article, you will learn what we recommend.
Try Kit
If your scratch is small, you will need to use a Scratch Kit. Match the color of the putty to that of your floor or as close as possible. Then use a spatula to spread the putty. Using the side of the spatula, gently press into the indentation. Go in several directions to make sure you fill every nook and cranny. Level the putty and let it dry for 24 hours.
Replace scratched boards.
Sometimes wax seals are not enough. If your scratches are too deep or you have several of them on one board, you may need to replace the damaged boards.
Laminate flooring uses a glue-free, fastener-free system. This means it is easy to replace parts of the floor when needed. It is always recommended to keep an extra pack of laminate for this reason!
Remove the baseboards or moldings. Remove the flooring with a board until you reach the damaged area. Replace the damaged board with a new one. Install the removed flooring to finish the floor again. Replace baseboards or moldings.
The process of changing the boards can be hard work, but it is worth the effort in the end. Remember to start from the nearest wall so you can work efficiently. Once you have removed the necessary laminate boards, you can replace the damaged laminate board and re-install the baseboards. If you follow the guide provided, we advise you to take all possible precautions for you and your floor.
If your baseboard is in the middle of the room, it can be a challenge to remove half of the flooring. In this case, you can try to repair only the board in the middle of the room. If everything up to this point makes it difficult for you, you can easily contact us. We will help!
Leveling of laminate flooring
Laminate warping is most often created when either no transition lath is left or moisture has created swelling between the boards. The easiest way to fix buckled floors is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Here are some tips to help prevent laminate flooring from warping.
Allow your flooring to acclimate before installation. Your flooring should sit for 2-3 days in the boxes in your home before installation begins. This allows them to expand and contrast before they are installed. This is a critical step that should not be missed. Be sure to leave them in a temperature-controlled room.
Reduce the amount of moisture in your home. As a rule of thumb, try to keep humidity levels in the house between 35% and 65%. For most homes this won’t be a problem.
Install a pad. Installing Underlayment protects the floor from the ground up. A moisture-resistant underlay will provide extra protection for your floors.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to prevent it, distortion occurs. Typically, floors will buckle if the floor is flooded or a large amount of water is spilled. When this happens, you will need to repair the damaged boards.
Here’s how to do that:
First determine the cause of the distortion and fix the problem.
Remove the baseboard or baseboards in the area close to the bolted floors.
Remove the boards starting at the wall until you reach the damaged area.
Replace the damaged boards.
Replace the rest of the boards you removed by snapping them back into place the same way you did when you first installed the flooring.
It is! With no-varnish, no-nails installation, you can easily replace small amounts of flooring and save the cost of replacing your entire floor. It’s always a good idea to keep a few laminate boards from the original installation in case damage occurs.
If you still can’t make it, we’re on the line. Call us and we’ll do the work for you.
