Repairing Guides

how to repair damaged laminate flooring

by Prof. Maeve Schaefer Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Procedure:

  • To repair damaged laminate planks, start with drilling a ½” hole on each corner of the damaged laminate plank. You will...
  • Drill two or three more holes on each side of the damaged laminate plank approximately 4” to 5” from each other.
  • Draw a straight line between the holes to prevent mistakes and use it as a cutting guide.

Part of a video titled How to repair damaged laminate flooring. - YouTube
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Product on the end of the putty knife carefully and gently press the floor fill into the damaged.MoreProduct on the end of the putty knife carefully and gently press the floor fill into the damaged. Area allow about five minutes for the damaged area to begin to cure.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to repair laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is both affordable and highly durable, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to damage. The average cost to repair laminate flooring is $865.It can cost as little as $120 or more than $3,800 if you need a partial replacement.. Scuffs and scratches happen.

How to clean laminate wood floors without doing damage?

  • The best way to clean laminate floors is to use products made especially for them. ...
  • Use a damp mop on your floors every two to three months. ...
  • You can also use a laminate floor mop. ...
  • After mopping, go over floors with a dry microfiber cloth or a dry mop to make sure there’s no water left on the floor.

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How to easily replace a damaged laminate floor plank?

Remove the quarter-round moulding from the room’s perimeter:

  • Beginning at a door entry or outside corner, slip the flat edge of a putty knife between the quarter-round and baseboard.
  • Use a utility knife, if necessary, to carefully slice through any paint preventing the putty knife from getting between the two.
  • Once inserted, gently pry the quarter-round away from the baseboard.

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How often do you need to replace laminate flooring?

  • the age of the floor bed it is installed on
  • the manufacture date and the type of adhesives that were used
  • the level of average humidity present in the structure where its is installed
  • The amount of care it has received over it’s lifespan to date
  • The number of times if any it has been refinished

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Can laminate floor be repaired?

Making repairs to laminate floorboards If one of your laminate floorboards has sustained damaged, there's no reason to panic. Regular scratches and even cracks can be repaired with a floor repair kit. Available in different colours depending on your laminate's colour, they're simple to use with impeccable results.

How do you repair laminated laminate flooring?

0:462:19How to Repair a Laminate Floor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen you can lift up each half of the damaged piece to free it from the good piece once all of theMoreThen you can lift up each half of the damaged piece to free it from the good piece once all of the damaged material is removed sweep. Off the underlayment. And begin installing. The new pieces.

Is there a filler for laminate flooring?

Can it be done? Yes, you can hide and repair cracks in laminate flooring. You can use products like wood filler, wood putty, or wood glue, designed to fill and improve minor to more apparent imperfections in the floor without the need to replace the entire floor or the whole laminate plank.

What do you do if your laminate floor is chipped?

3:148:51How to fix a chip in laminate flooring - NO CUTTING - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow this is the color stick that I'm going to be using a close that most closely matches. The colorMoreNow this is the color stick that I'm going to be using a close that most closely matches. The color of the laminate floor that I have and as you can see I had it on the radiator. So if I push into it

Can you apply laminate on top of laminate?

Q: Can I install plastic laminate over a countertop that's already covered with existing laminate material? A: Yes, but the existing surface must be even and smooth. Repair any gouges or loose edges and make sure the existing laminate is glued firmly.

Can you fix water damaged laminate flooring?

Water damaged boards can't be fixed, but they can be replaced. If you have leftover laminate flooring boards from your original installation, use those. If not, match the damaged boards with new ones. Make sure the floor is completely dry before you begin the repairs.

What to fill gaps in laminate flooring with?

Any clear or yellow wood glue will work just fine. Invest in a high-strength adhesive to spare yourself followup repairs in the future. Alternatively, you can also use caulk or wood putty to fill in gaps in laminate flooring.

Why is laminate floor separating?

Humidity can make your laminate floor boards shrink or expand a bit. This fluctuation in humidity levels can cause them to click loose and move, resulting in openings between the boards. Fortunately, you don't have to remove the entire floor to close these open joints.

Can you caulk laminate flooring?

Anytime you install laminate flooring in a bath, laundry room or kitchen, you should use AC3-rated flooring, leave 1/4-in. expansion gaps at the walls and fixtures, and then fill the gaps at flooring ends with 100 percent silicone caulk.

Can chipped laminate be fixed?

Repair a Chip in a Laminate Floor Using a Putty Filler Using a putty knife, apply a minimal amount of putty filler to the hole left by the chip in the wood laminate floor. Smooth it carefully and add more putty filler if needed.

Do laminate floors chip easily?

The short answer is that there isn't any laminate flooring on the market that's totally scratch proof. It's just a fact that any flooring material, from natural wood to engineered timber or hybrid flooring, can be damaged.

What can I use to fill gaps in laminate flooring?

Any clear or yellow wood glue will work just fine. Invest in a high-strength adhesive to spare yourself followup repairs in the future. Alternatively, you can also use caulk or wood putty to fill in gaps in laminate flooring.

Why is my laminate floor separating?

Humidity can make your laminate floor boards shrink or expand a bit. This fluctuation in humidity levels can cause them to click loose and move, resulting in openings between the boards. Fortunately, you don't have to remove the entire floor to close these open joints.

I've heard hardwood flooring is difficult to install sometimes. What makes it hard?

It isn't always super difficult, but it can be. When you do hardwood flooring, you have to also think about the base around the flooring. So very o...

How much will it cost to have a contractor replace part of my floor?

It really depends on the material and the contractor. So, some laminate floor is really cheap; it can cost as little as 80 cents a square. The nice...

How do I repair bigger gouges?

If it's quite a big gouge, then sometimes replacing the board is required. You'll have to disassemble the floor from one end of the room towards wh...

Can you remove scratches from laminate flooring?

It can be difficult to keep a laminate surface clean and free of scratches, but there are a few things you can try. First, try baking soda, as it i...

Community Q&A

I've heard hardwood flooring is difficult to install sometimes. What makes it hard?

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Kevin Schlosser. Kevin Schlosser is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Home Tech Handyman Ltd. With over 20 years of experience, Kevin specializes in age-in-place installations, flooring, roofing, and general remodeling handyman services.

What happens when you disconnect tongue of one plank from groove of other plank?

When you disconnect the tongue of one plank from the groove of the other plank, they’re unlocked. You may have to do this several times before you can reach & replace the damaged laminate plank. After, you will have to reset the wall base moldings back to normal after you have replaced the damaged plank and reconnected every plank.

Can you disconnect planks from a wall?

There is a different procedure to follow depending on where the damage is located. If the damage is located next to the wall then you simply may want to disconnect those planks. If the damage is located in the middle of the floor then you may want to try a different procedure as we have highlighted below.

Do you have to clean laminate floor before installing new planks?

You definitely want to pay attention to the adjoining laminate floor planks. Make sure the area is cleaned up from any excess. You want it to be nice and clean before you install the new plank. Now it comes time for the replacement laminate plank.

How do I repair laminate flooring?

1. Find the source of flooding or leaking and plug it up. You shouldn’t start the process of repairing laminate floors until you know where the water is coming from and how to stop it. Turn off your water supply to prevent leaking from continuing.

How to tell if laminate is water damaged?

Look for warped areas that are bending or cracking. When laminate gets saturated by water, it absorbs the moisture which in turn breaks down the structure of the flooring. There are a number of signs that point to your floor being water damaged, including bending or cracking.

Why is laminate flooring so popular?

Laminate flooring is popular among homeowners because it looks nice and is durable. These floors can last for years and don’t require much maintenance along the way. That said, the wood in the laminate floors is prone to water damage if it’s not treated properly.

Why do tiles pop out of the floor?

Tiles can also be pushed apart by water damage. Go over every tile individually when you check. As you walk around, push on your floorboards to see if they are popping up out of the base of the floor. Be critical when you do this, as even a small distortion to the tiles can be the result of water damage.

Symptoms of Laminate Floor Deterioration

Examine your laminate floor for the following signs and symptoms to determine if it has been damaged.

Various Types of Laminate Damage

Before beginning the process of repairing water-related damage to laminate flooring, it is critical to understand the many types of damage that can occur.

6 Simple DIY Methods To Repair Laminate Flooring Water Damage

Although there is a risk of swelling and warping, water-damaged laminate flooring can usually be repaired in the majority of cases.

What exactly is the cause of the water damage to laminate flooring?

Water destroys laminate flooring by penetrating the layers and causing damage.

Our Final Thoughts

Fixing water-damaged laminate flooring is a difficult operation, but it can be accomplished with the help of the above-mentioned suggestions on How to fix laminate floor water damage?

Frequently Ask Questions

Boards that have been damaged by water cannot be repaired, but they can be replaced.

How to Fix Laminate Floor Scratches

Wondering how to fix laminate floor scratches? It’s easy to touch up scratches with a floor repair kit.

How to Repair Laminate Flooring Water Damage

Waterproof laminate flooring is available. Many newer laminate floors are made to be water resistant.

Using a Saw to Remove Laminate Flooring

If the damage to a laminate floor is some distance from the wall, it may be faster to cut out the affected board using a circular saw with a fine-finish blade.

How to Fix Laminate Flooring That is Lifting or Buckling

As you figure out how to fix laminate flooring that is lifting, try to find the cause of the problem. Finding and repairing the issue can help prevent future damage.

Can Laminate Flooring Get Wet

Although some Laminate flooring is rated to be water-resistant for a certain amount of time, most laminate flooring should not be allowed to get in contact with water!

Swelling

Swelling is the most common sign of water damaged Laminate. As MDF Structure of laminate absorbs moisture it will start to deform and swell up.

Warping

Another common result of water damage to your laminate, warping is when the edges of your laminated floor begin to rise up and create an uneven surface in your flooring.

Splitting or Separating

In some instances, when the laminate flooring dries out, it may separate, leaving splits/gaps between the planks.

Discoloration

Sometimes, water damage can be as simple as discolored spotting on the surface of the floor.

Buckling

Buckling is not always water-damage related however it occurs when there isn’t enough room for the flooring to expand and contract due to a change in humidity in the air.

Mold or mildew

Most commonly occurring in particularly damp or humid areas with low lighting or dark conditions, mold growth is a serious health risk and one of the most obvious signs of water damage.

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