Laminate Floor Problems - Solutions - Care - Repair
"Your How to Laminate Flooring Source."
Chipped Plank Corners It is the responsibility of the installer to check all planks prior to installing. Most all laminate manufacturers take the view that when you install a damaged plank such as one with a chip in it, this becomes your responsibility and not theirs. Chips at plank corners, especially those that cross over between planks are caused either during the installation process or … [Read more...]
Interior Vapor Barrier Over Concrete Subfloor When a laminate floating floor is installed over a concrete subfloor a moisture barrier must be used. Failure to install a proper vapor barrier over concrete will likely result in a floor expanding. This will cause laminate floor problems such as cupping and gaps. Always check a manufacturers installation instructions prior to installation to … [Read more...]
Laminate Floor Problems Delamination When the laminate releases from the core material this results in delamination. Delamination may be seen in the field of the blank as a bubble. Delamination may also be found along an edge. When an area of delamination continues across the seam of the planks this is almost always a site related condition. Core Voids in surface of Laminate … [Read more...]
Water Damage to Laminate Flooring Plumbing and Appliance Leaks Water damage from plumbing and appliance leaks such as dishwashers, water heaters, washing machines and ice makers can result in buckling of a laminate floor. Often these leaks are very slow and go unnoticed. Slow leaks are often difficult to identify as they are below the laminate where they penetrate into the laminates … [Read more...]
Staggering of Laminate Floor Laminate flooring manufacturers require their floors to be staggered anywhere from 8 to 12 inches or more. (See manufacturers installation instructions.) A floating floor that is not staggered will look odd. A floating floor not staggered properly will compromise its strength and structural stability. The planks in the photo above have not been staggered. … [Read more...]
Expansion Space Walls and Fixed Objects During laminate floor installation the proper expansion space must be left around all walls and vertical surfaces. Without the proper expansion space a floor may buckle and gap due to the normal expansion and contraction of the laminate floating floor. Expansion space must be left around fixed objects such as pipes, cabinets, fireplace hearths, … [Read more...]
Unlevel Subfloor Below Laminate Flooring Most laminate floor manufacturers require a subfloor to be flat within 3/16" over a 10 foot radius. Since not all laminate manufacturers have the same standard you need to check the installation instructions for the manufacturer of the floor being installed. Some manufacturers instructions will use the word level instead of flat while they are … [Read more...]
Protect Floor from Scratching While laminate flooring has a harder finish than many types of floor covering, all types of floors can loose their appearance from dirt. Abrasive soil scratches and cuts at a floor surface resulting in a dull appearance. Trap dirt, sand and grit by using doormats at outside entrances. Use felt protectors under chair, table and other furniture legs. … [Read more...]
