HOW TO REPAIR LAMINATE FLOORING WATER DAMAGE IN 7 STEPS

HOW TO REPAIR LAMINATE FLOORING WATER DAMAGE

Recently, laminate flooring has grown increasingly popular as a beautiful addition to any home. Due to its high durability, attractiveness, and affordability, it is a popular choice in most families today.

It is a fantastic alternative compared to other types of flooring due to its attractiveness and ability to handle occasional liquid leakage. No matter the interior design style, it can modernize any room in a home or office.

Despite this, laminate floors and water do not get along. Wood materials on it are subject to water erosion because of their porous structure. With water or any other liquid on your grounds, the planks will flex and buckle. If you ignore it, it will look not very good and will deteriorate over time.

You can tell if your ground has been harmed by observing the following signs.

• Bubbling
• Splitting
• Buckling
• Cracking
• Excessive cupping
• Noticeable mold
• Discoloration

Before breaking further, it is best to know how to repair laminate flooring water damage. We are here to assist you in making the process as simple as possible.

Before you decide to repair, please go through the following tips to think whether it is possible for you or need a professional hand.

1. Stop the Water from Causing Further Damage

To begin with, locate and shut off the water supply. Poursuivre all your efforts in preventing the leak; suppose it is from your dishwasher or another area before you worry about the ground.
Do not forget about a thorough inspection of toilets and pipework hidden beneath your ground covering. A water damage professional needs this job. If you can’t find the leak, seek aid from a professional if you don’t want to deal with it yourself.
Your laminate floor will protect you from water damage in the future if you wait to fix it until the flooding or leakage has stopped. Then, once the leak stops, turn your attention to the damaged boards to see how bad things are getting.

2. Clean Up Excess Water

Even while laminate flooring can take some water on the surface, it can be damaged if left in water for a lengthy period. All effect boards should be cleaned and dried before moving on to the next stage.

3. Inspect the Locking System to Recognize Damaged Plans

Using this method, you can identify the places that ruin. Your total concentration will require to complete this simple task. Be sure to check for warping and bubbles, and be thorough in your assessment. Stencil the spoiled areas with a marker or sticky notes depending on their severity.

Unnoticed blemishes can lead to a more severe problem. If not clean or handled correctly, mold and bacteria can grow in places.

When the damage asses in this manner, it is possible to assess its extent and take appropriate action swiftly.

While checking on the visual changes, you can step on the deck, carefully paying attention to the movements that indicate the water underneath.

4. Prepare the Tools for Repair

The next step is to gather all of the tools you’ll need to fix the ground.

• Putty knife
• Safety glasses
• Hammer
• Utility knife
• Flooring adhesive
• Replacement underlayment material
• Pliers
• Measuring tape
• Cleaning solvent

You’ll also need new planks that match the existing design unless you have to repair all of the broken planks. It is not a bright idea to go with a random plan. As a result, many people prefer to replace their entire area rather than just the damaged area.

Please take a picture of the design of the planks to the retailer where you purchased them. If you can’t find the designs elsewhere, you can always seek them up online.
Preparing the items mentioned above ahead of time will save you trips to the flooring store at the last minute.

5. Remove the Damaged Boards

For this task, you’ll require the appropriate equipment. It will necessitate removing all of the damaged boards. Even if your laminate floorboards have warped due to the damage, you should be able to remove some of them with just your bare hands.

For these, you can use any instrument or knife thin enough to go under the board and lift it from the barrier beneath it.

Allow yourself plenty of time to complete this process. These planks have a locking system that makes putting them together with a breeze.

Hiring a professional is an option if you don’t want to shell out cash for new equipment.

i. Start by carefully removing the faulty boards. Apply a putty knife.
ii. No matter how minor the injury is, you must remove the entire board because leaving it in place would exacerbate it.
iii. Remove the whole plank to reveal the flooring beneath.
iv. Check for mold and clean the bare deck before you begin to put new planks.

6. Replace the Damaged Planks

It is the most challenging element of repairing a laminate floor since you must use the same design throughout the process. You won’t have any problems replacing your laminate flooring if you buy extra planks before installing it.

Complete replacement is an option for many damaged planks. If only a few broke, the choice is to go with a very similar design.

7. Installing the New Planks

Keep in mind to match the laminate flooring as closely as possible to any patterns or motifs that appear on it. Before you begin the installation, ensure the bare flooring is free of debris and thoroughly cleaned. Check to determine if the replacement planks will fit neatly on the bare floorboards.

Place your new boards after applying enough adhesive to the surface. Place a heavy object on the newly laminated surface and leave it there for several hours or overnight to speed up the drying process. Allow drying entirely before using if putting in a bathroom or another wet location.

Ask for Professional Help

Damage from water is not something to be taken lightly, and the severity can vary widely. There are a few serious problems that can occur with laminate floors. In reality, drying out water-damaged laminate flooring takes a lot of time and effort, and making a mistake could lead to even more devastation.

You can’t always fix the flooring with items you have lying around the house or office. At some points, you may happen to seek a professional hand. You should be aware that support is available when you need it.