Laminate Floor Problems - Solutions - Care - Repair
"Your How to Laminate Flooring Source."
The use of the proper laminate floor molding and/or transition will give your laminate flooring that finished look and reduce the opportunity for future floor failure. There are a variety of moldings and transitions available such as T-Molding, Stair nose, Reducer Strip, Quarter Round and Threshold and Wall Base Molding. Always read the manufactures installation instructions to determine if they … [Read more...]
What may appear to be a laminate floor gap is not necessarily a gap. With this floor the consumer believed that the floor was starting to develop gaps after in had been installed for a few years. Upon inspection the dark lines along the edge of the planks were found to be a build up of dirt. Laminate planks will often have a slight variation in elevations at the joint. If the floor is not … [Read more...]
While a laminate floor may look very much like a solid wood floor or engineered wood floor there really is a difference. Perhaps the biggest difference is that what you are actually seeing with a laminate floor is not the natural wood grain it is a photograph. A Laminate Floor consists of: Top or Wear Layer - The surface of the floor is a thin film that is usually made form melamine plastic … [Read more...]
Manufacturers of steam cleaning machines are pushing them for all types of flooring. You see their ads on television and it appears they are using theme on laminate floors. Are they safe for laminate the answer is no? While a steam cleaner is great for tile, vinyl and stone floors they can ruin most laminate floors. Laminate and excessive moisture do not mix. Remember that most laminate floors … [Read more...]
A solid spot on the printed design in a laminate floor is a print error. While this is a manufacturer related deficiency planks with an obvious printing error should not be installed. Once installed the manufacturer will usually pass the problem on to the installer and may only cover the cost of the replacement board when reported in a timely matter. … [Read more...]
Acclimation: The adaptation of the laminate floor to its installation environment. Backer (Backing): In laminated flooring the bottom layer is called backer layer or balancing layer and is usually made from a resin-impregnated Kraft paper. The backer is designed to be the same weight as the wearlayer to provide balance and stability. If the backer is lighter or heavier than the wearlayer, the … [Read more...]
The manufacturers of most laminate floors require the cartons of flooring to be acclimated for 48 to 72 hours prior to installation. Acclimation requires conditioning of the flooring material at or near occupancy level. Check the installation instructions to see how they want the material stacked for installation and if the cartons are to be opened or left unopened. The flooring material … [Read more...]
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...]
