QA

Quick Answer: How To Fix Laminate Wood Floor Water Damage

Can you fix water damage on laminate floor?

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.

Is laminate flooring ruined if it gets wet?

How Does Water Damage Laminate Flooring? Water damages laminate flooring by soaking into the layers. Once inside the boards, it causes them to swell and warp. It also weakens the glue that holds them together and they can eventually fall apart.

How do you repair damaged laminate wood flooring?

Here’s how to do it: Remove the baseboards or molding. Slowly remove the laminate flooring planks until you reach the damaged area. Replace the damaged planks with new planks. Re-install the healthy planks piece by piece. Replace the baseboard or molding.

Is there a way to fix warped laminate flooring?

The only way to repair a warped laminate floor is to replace the damaged planks. One is to disassemble the floor, and the other is to cut the plank out of the floor with a circular saw. You can’t repair a warped laminate floor in the same way you can a warped hardwood floor.

Can you fix swollen laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring that swells due to moisture should be disassembled and new pieces installed. Replace the damaged boards with boards from the outer edge of your original flooring and then replace the outer boards with new boards that have been allowed to acclimate in the room for at least 72 hours.

How do I know if my laminate floor has water damage?

Signs that your laminate floor has suffered water damage include: Buckling. Splitting. Cracking. Discoloration. Visible mold. A musty odor of mold.

Does water under laminate cause mold?

In both of these cases, if your answer is yes, then you’re looking at an unstable structure that is quite dangerous, and warrants an immediate call to your laminate floor installers. When water gets trapped under the boards, it creates a dark, moist environment that’s ideal for the growth of mold.

Can you replace a single laminate floor board?

When a board sustains damage in the middle of a laminate floor, you have two options for replacing it. One is to disassemble the floor down to the damaged board, replace the board and reassemble the floor. The other option is to cut out the damaged board and glue in a replacement.

Can you get scratches out of laminate flooring?

Scratches on laminate flooring can be successfully fixed as long as they’re not too extensive and too deep. The methods you can use for superficial and medium-deep scratches are touch-up markers and pencils, wood wax kits, burn-in sticks, and crayons. Deeper scratches are best repaired with colored putty.

What causes laminate flooring to warp?

Buckling or warping is almost always as a result of moisture and/or water damage. Laminate flooring is affected by water in a number of ways. High moisture content in the air can sometimes lead to buckling or warping. For this reason, it is important never to wet mop a laminate floor.

Why is my laminate floor not laying flat?

The boards fit together like pieces in a puzzle and when the entire floor is assembled, it floats over the subfloor like a film coating. If it’s uneven, it may be because the subfloor is bumpy or that it fits too tightly and bubbles are forming as the edges press against the wall. It may also be the result of moisture.

How do you fix a swollen floorboard?

The best fix for swollen laminate flooring is to disassemble the floor and install new boards after addressing the source of water that damaged the board. Remove the board, one row at a time until you get into the bubbling board, and replace it with a new one.

How long does it take for water to damage laminate flooring?

If you are using dehumidifiers and high-volume fans, it will typically take anywhere from 12 to 36 hours to dry laminate flooring. This depends on the extent of water spilled, the number of floorboards affected, and the equipment you use.

What happens if water gets under waterproof laminate flooring?

When the water reaches under laminate flooring, the water must be removed immediately. If a small amount of water has leaked toward the edges of the flooring, pull up any quarter-round (shoe molding) or baseboards around the perimeter. If the water is not pervasive, you may be able to extract it with a wet-dry vacuum.

What causes moisture under laminate flooring?

The Heat Is Causing Condensation to Form Under the Moisture Barrier on My Laminate Floor. Concrete floors are porous, which means that moisture can pass through them easily. Moisture and vapor barriers are installed both beneath and above concrete to stop moisture problems.

How do I get water out from under my floor?

Towels, mops and clean rags can immediately soak up small puddles and spills. Use a wet vacuum to pull up larger water sources from out the flooring. Don’t stop using the wet vacuum even when you can no longer see the water on the surface of the wood. There will still be water lurking in the wood pores and plank seams.

Can mold grow under vinyl plank flooring?

Although vinyl floors are resistant to moisture, mold and mildew can grow if there is standing water around the edges, grooves or under the floor.

How do you soak up water from the floor?

How to Remove Water From a Floor Without a Pump Use a Mop and Bucket. Turn on Your Heat or Air Conditioning System and Run Fans. Run a Wet and Dry Shop Vacuum. Soak up Water With Towels. Run a Dehumidifier.