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How to Repair Laminate Flooring

by Rick Anderson

Laminate floorboards expand and contract under the weight of heavy foot traffic, much like hardwood floors. It is easy for the wood to expand and contract without notice, causing a crack or a big gouge in the floorboard. The only way to avoid this is to regularly vacuum your floorboards using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filtration. Vacuuming will also help keep dust and other contaminants from building up between the floorboards. If you have existing cracks or gouges in your floorboards, it is time to learn how to repair laminate flooring.

First, if you have no damage, you can expect the boards to expand and contract when the weight causes them to move. This is called a peaking damage, and it usually occurs in the middle of the year when people are moving furniture all around their home. Over the years, the board will expand and contract until it is no longer straight and square, or has a mild amount of "peaking damage." The solution to this problem is simple: remove the peeling paint from the board, sand it down, and then reapply the paint. This will fix the peaking damage, as well as preventing future buildup.

Second, you might be dealing with actual molding or mold issues. These are the result of water damage and often start in the subfloor, which is below the visible surface of the laminate. There, water can corrupt the subfloor's structure, causing buckling and eventual failure of the floorboards.

To learn how to repair laminate flooring that has been damaged by moisture, it is important to know how they work. The boards' top surface has an opening that is designed to trap air. As the space expands and contracts, air is trapped within the opening and then escapes through the space. This creates the impression of molding or floating floors. The best way to deal with this type of damage is to remove the affected boards and thoroughly clean and dry the subfloor.

If the problem is more severe, you'll need to know how to repair laminate floors that have been damaged by surface scratches, cracks, or gouges. In this case, it is important to carefully inspect the area for deeper structural damage, such as buckled boards or missing planks. Surface scratches can easily be repaired using melamine coating.

Some defects in laminate flooring may result in small holes, or expansion gaps, between the panels. Examine your floorboards closely, particularly at the corners and planks furthest away from the edges. Examine for expansion gaps between the planks by pushing each plank slightly out away from the adjacent one. You can usually find this by placing a piece of chalk between the two adjacent planks. If the hole isn't fixed, you can use a sharp utility knife to gently file away the edge. Be prepared for the extra work this will entail by having additional tools on hand.

Some of the most difficult repairs to try to do on your own, like those involving expansion gaps or floorboards with missing corners, require professional assistance. It is often best to hire a professional to make these types of repairs, unless you are skilled at laying out and repairing your own floors. When you hire a contractor to repair your laminate flooring, be sure to request to see examples of their work. They should be able to show you some samples of previous work they have done. While you may not be able to see all of it in person, you should still be able to get some idea of the quality of their work. Also, don't be afraid to ask how long it will take for your repair to be completed.

Laminate floors are a great choice for those who want the look of hardwood without the upkeep. However, they are also more susceptible to damage than other types of floors, so learning how to repair them is very important. If you learn how to properly install and repair your laminate floor, you can save yourself the cost of replacing your floors if they need replacement due to wear and tear. You may even find that it is easier to keep your laminate floors looking new than to replace them. Laminate floors are an investment, so be sure to make the best repairs possible.

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