HOW TO FIX WATER DAMAGED LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminate flooring is a lovely addition to any home.  It has grown its popularity in recent years.  Laminate floors accommodate all interior design preferences and modernize any home or office space.  And it is distinguished by the lovely wood materials that make it famous in remodeling.

 

While laminate flooring has numerous advantages, it does have certain drawbacks that you should be aware of.  We’ll talk about a huge one in this post: water on laminate floors.  Laminate flooring and water have a complicated relationship.

 

The wood materials in laminate floors are susceptible to water damage.  So, how do you fix laminate floors with water damage?  Laminate is designed to withstand occasional spills if installed following manufacturer instructions.

 

Direct water damage caused by improper or unprofessional installations is a different matter that can lead to unexpected expenses.  When laminate becomes supersaturated with water, it starts to absorb the moisture, breaking down the laminate material’s composition.  In the long run, plumbing leaks, wet mopping, and liquid spills lead to many problems.  If left unattended, you will notice that some planks begin to get buckled or bend in awkward ways.

 

And at the end of the article, you will know how to fix laminate floor water damage.

Signs of Laminate Floor Damage

To know whether your laminate floor is damaged, look out for the following symptoms:

Unfortunately, the majority of these symptoms cannot be repaired. However, laminate floor damages caused by water damage can be fixed by following simple steps for replacing. Depending on the size and extent of the damage, you may need to replace the entire room. If the damage is severe, you can hire a professional to get the job done.

Different types of Water Damage to Laminate Floors

When repairing water damage to laminate flooring, it’s essential to remember that several forms of damage might develop.

 

Water and humid surroundings are incompatible with this type of flooring. And so, it can be irrevocably destroyed even in short periods.

 

Laminate floors should not be installed in rooms with extreme temperature or humidity swings. This includes a bathroom or laundry room. Due to environmental changes, the materials used in laminate flooring shrink and expand. If they get too wet, bubbles will develop on the laminate floor.

 

Yet, laminate floors will not immediately deteriorate if they come into contact with water. Do not be alarmed if a liquid spills on the wood flooring. This is a simple remedy if handled correctly.

 

We recommend mopping up any liquid spills as soon as possible and ensuring that the water does not travel any farther than it needs to go.

 

The actual problem arises when water seeps beneath the laminate flooring. Expansion gaps are built into laminate floors to allow them to expand and contract as needed. This is vital, but water can seep beneath the surface, causing severe difficulties.

 

Here we will see seven key steps in fixing laminate floor water damage.

How to Fix Laminate Floor Water Damage: 7 Simple Steps

Tools You Need to Repair Laminate Floor Water Damage:

STEP 1: LOCATE THE SOURCE OF WATER

The first and most crucial step of water damage repair is locating the water source. This is crucial as it will ensure that no further damage happens after the repairing process. Once you find the source, you will need to eliminate it from causing further damage. But the repairing process begins after you complete the first step. After this, you will need to find out the exact location and reason for the damage.

STEP 2: INSPECTING THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE

In this step, the task is to look for places where damage has spread. You can find out cracks and bends on the floor. This will allow you to find out the exact places of damage. As a result, you will be able to identify the repair works you will need. If there is not much damage spread, you can just replace some panels. If the damage has spread to a large space, you might need to change the whole floor. Also, you might need professional help in such a situation.

STEP 3: REMOVE THE DAMAGED PLANKS

Your work now begins with removing the damaged planks from the floor. By now, you should have labeled the panels that are damaged. You can begin this step by directly removing them from the laminated floor. You will need to use the right tools for this task. If you don’t want to spend money on purchasing new equipment, you can hire a professional. Before you settle on a technician or flooring company, do a background check to ascertain their credibility. If you choose to do it yourself, carefully pull up the damaged planks by running a putty knife under the damaged edges. You must get rid of the entire plank even if only a small portion of it is damaged. This is because every plank is a single unit. Pry up the planks as well as the baseboard to expose the bare floor beneath. Check the sub-flooring for any sign of mold or mildew. If you don’t notice any damage, reinstall the planks that are popped up.

STEP 4: REMOVE THE BASEBOARDS

Under the laminating floors, there are baseboards. Once you have removed the damaged panels, you will find the baseboards underneath. In this step, you will have to remove them. Removing the baseboards will allow you to clean the floors better. There will be less dust and mold after the repairing process is complete. And this step is also vital before adding new laminate to the floor.

STEP 5: INSTALL NEW PLANKS

By now, you have cleaned the damaged floors and removed them. The major task in this step is to install new laminate floors. The first thing you will need is extra planks. The planks need to match with the old laminate floors. If you don’t have extra planks, you will need to contact the dealer you bought the laminate floors from. What happens if you don’t get extra planks? You might have to consider replacing the whole floor. And for this, you should opt for professional help. You will need tools like glue, a hammer, measuring tapes, and others for this step.

STEP 6: ADD FLOOR GLUE

One this you must ensure is to leave enough space between each plank. You will need to add the adhesive glue in between those planks. Strong adhesive will ensure that the planks remain at their installed places. You can find powerful glue from online hardware stores or your nearest hardware shop.

STEP 7: PLACE A HEAVY OBJECT OVER THE NEW PLANKS

This is the last step of the process. The focus in this step is to stick the plank with the glue. For this, you can place a heavy object over the floor. You can do this with a large couch or a coffee table. This will allow the planks to sit properly at their spots. You can remove the object after a couple of hours. Once the planks are perfectly set in their spots, you have successfully fixed water damage problems to the laminating floors. If you need to change the complete floor lamination, you should seek professional help for that.

Conclusion

So, now you know the 7 simple steps to fix laminate floor water damage. You also know why there can be water damage to the laminate floor.

 

The most important aspect is to have the proper tools for the process. You will also need to decide whether to fix the issues or completely replace the floor. If you want to replace the laminate floor, you should opt for professional water extraction services.

FAQs

How do you dry out a swollen laminate floor?

You can use a hairdryer to dry out a swollen laminate floor. After applying enough hot air from the hairdryer, you can use a straight edge or roller.

 

How do I repair damaged laminate flooring?

Repairing damaged laminate flooring is a step-by-step process. It involves 7 major steps that you will need to follow. You can begin the process by inspecting the damage and deciding on repairing it.

 

Can water-damaged laminate flooring be repaired?

Although laminate flooring is usually resistant to water damage, excessive dampness can still affect it. Yet, the advantage of laminate flooring is that water damage may be quickly fixed without replacing the complete floor.