Laminate floors have been popular for years, and they’re only getting more attractive with every passing day. With their modernized design, these hardwood-like surfaces bring life into any space inside your home or business! Though this product has many positives, one of its most significant downsides can be water damage caused by humidity or other moisture sources within your house – which may lead you to need to replace some parts sooner than later!
In today’s market, consumers can also find waterproof laminate floors; Water-resistant laminate flooring is a new type of laminate that is becoming increasingly popular. This type of floor is designed to resist water damage, making them ideal for areas prone to spills or leaks.
How To Fix Water-Damaged Laminate Flooring?
If you have laminate flooring, it’s essential to know how to fix water-damaged laminate flooring. Water can cause severe damage to your entire floor, and if not fixed properly, it can lead to costly repairs. Before we dive into laminate flooring repair, let’s first understand the types of laminate flooring.
Laminate floors types
Laminate flooring comes in various styles and designs, but they all share strong wood frames that give your wood flooring a beautiful appearance.
There are two types of laminate flooring:
Engineered laminate flooring is made up of layers of plywood that are glued together. The top layer is a thin layer of hardwood or laminate, which is then protected by a clear coating.
On the other hand, floating laminate flooring is not attached to any subfloor. Instead, it rests on top of a foam or cork underlayment.
Now that we know the types of laminate flooring, let’s learn how to repair water-damaged laminate flooring.
laminate floor tips:
Wipe up spills immediately. Use a damp mop, not a wet mopping, to clean your laminate floor.
water damaged Laminate floor repair process
Stop the water source:
The first step is to stop the water source. If the water comes from a leaky pipe, you’ll need to fix it immediately. If the water comes from outside, you’ll need to find a way to block it.
Clean standing water:
Once you’ve stopped the water source, it’s time to clean up any standing water. Use a wet/dry vacuum or mop to remove all the water you can. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly; otherwise, the moisture will seep into the cracks and cause more damage.
Dry the damaged areas:
Once you’ve removed as much water as possible, you’ll need to dry the affected areas completely. This can be done with fans and dehumidifiers.
laminate floor tips:
Use doormats and rugs at all exterior doors to protect your laminate floor from dirt and moisture.
Assess the damage:
The extent of the water damage will determine what you need to do next. If only a few boards have been affected, then simply replacing those may be enough; however, if there are widespread cracks or holes in your whole floor or even in a part of your floor due to flood waters, an entire replacement could solve all problems!
As such, in this step, you will want to check for any signs or symptoms associated with mold growth like black spots, which can also appear as slimy trails leading out from under furniture surfaces where they’ve been sitting wet too long!
A flood isn’t just an inconvenient thing – it’s dangerous news because these floods often result when pipes burst, causing homeowners more trouble and problems than they need at first glance: ruined floors/ carpets, destroyed drywall, and even dangerous health implications from excess water.
If you find that mold starts to develop, you should immediately contact a professional restoration company to help you clean and repair the water-damaged areas.
Having Water Damage? Contact Us Today!
Remove the damaged laminate planks:
Once you’ve assessed the damage, it’s time to remove damaged planks. If you’re lucky and caught the water damage early, you may only need to replace and install only a few replacement planks. To do this, use a pry bar to remove the mold around the room’s perimeter. Once the mold is terminated, you can access the damaged boards. Use a saw to cut through the planks and remove them from the bare floor.
Install new laminate planks:
Now it’s time to install the new laminate planks. You’ll need to find the tongue’s and groove’s direction to do this. Once you know how the tongue and groove fit together, you can start installing the new planks. Begin by installing the row of boards along the longest wall. Work your way from left to right, making sure that each plank is secure and that each plank is installed correctly and locked into place.
laminate floor tips:
Never use steam cleaners or wet cleaning pads on the laminate floor.
Replace the molding:
After each new plank has been adequately set and installed, replace the molding around the room’s perimeter. Use a hammer and nails to secure the molding in place.
Clean the floor:
Once the molding has been replaced, you can clean the floor. Use a damp mop to remove dirt or debris from the floor’s surface.
- Repairing laminate flooring water damage can be a pain to deal with, but with these tips, you can fix it quickly and efficiently. Just remember to stop the water source, clean up any excess water, dry the area thoroughly, assess the damage, and call a professional if needed.
Not sure how to repair water-damaged laminate floors? Contact a restoration company.
Water damages to laminate floors are pretty straightforward, but if you’re not sure how best to repair them, contact an experienced restoration company. They’ll be able to guide you through the process and make sure everything gets taken care of properly!
laminate floor tips:
-Laminate floors are sensitive to extremes in temperature and humidity. Use a humidifier in the winter and an air conditioner in the summer to help maintain comfortable indoor conditions for your laminate flooring.
-Alway buy extra planks in case you will need them in the future.
Laminate floor water damage FAQ
Can you fix swollen laminate flooring?
Unfortunately, once laminate flooring has swollen, it cannot be restored. The only option is to replace the damaged boards.
What are some signs of water damage on laminate floors?
Some signs of water damage on laminate floors include swelling, warping, cupping, and discoloration. You must act quickly to mitigate the damage if you see any of these signs.
How do I prevent water damage to my laminate floors?
You can do a few things to prevent water damage to your laminate floors. First, make sure to clean up any spills quickly. Second, try to keep the floors as dry as possible. Third, consider using a humidifier in the winter to keep the air from getting too dry. Finally, don’t forget to wipe your feet before coming inside!
Will water under laminate dry out?
If you catch the water damage early, the water will probably dry out on its own. However, if the damage is severe, you may need to remove the affected planks and replace them.
Why is my laminate floor bulging?
Laminate floors can bulge for a few reasons. First, if there is too much moisture in the air, it can cause the boards to swell. Second, if there is water damage, the boards may swell and warp. Finally, if the subfloor is not level, it can cause the laminate flooring to bulge.
Can you fix damaged planks?
Unfortunately, once the planks are damaged, they cannot be repaired. The only option is to install a new planks.