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 Floor
- Core voids are indentations in the face of the laminate floor.
- The best way to tell a manufacturing core void from a dent caused by a dropped object is the absence of stress cracks. A dropped object usually leaves cracks while a core void does not.
Bumps or Blisters in Laminate Face
Blisters are small bumps in the finish of the laminate floor. These bumps often look like a pimple and can be very difficult to see during installation.
Chatter Marks
Chatter marks appear as wavy bands or lines across the width of the plank.
Chatter mark bands can be very difficult to see during installation and are most visible with reflective light.
Proud Edges
Proud edges are seen as a difference in height at the joints of the laminate plank.
Proud edges can be found on the side or end.
Most laminate flooring manufacturers consider proud edges up to 0.1mm acceptable and within manufacturing tolerance.
Some manufacturers have different or expanded tolerances. As an example Pergo considers proud edges up to 0.2mm acceptable if they do not affect the appearance or function of the floor. Pergo also considers 5 or less proud edges per 300 sq. ft. acceptable.
Micro Chipping
Micro chipping is seen as continuous small chips along the edge of the plank.
The chips usually appear white in color.
These chips occur during milling of the laminate plank as the result of a dull milling tool.
Color Deviations
Some manufacturers state that there will not be a color difference between runs. When this is stated a color difference between runs is the laminate manufactures floor problem.
A color difference would be a difference in hue, shade or gloss.
At times what appears as a color difference is actually the installation of two different colors of laminate floor. If the carton labels or plank markings show this to be the same style and color this is a manufacture related condition.
If the packaging shows that these were different styles or colors the manufacturer will unlikely warrant the difference and this laminate flooring problem will be between the consumer and supplier or retailer.
Fading
- Fading warranties differ with each manufacturer.
- Some laminate flooring manufacturers guarantee their floor not to fade due to sun or electrical lighting.
Gaps and Glue Voids (Glued Floors)
- A feeler gauge is used to indicate a gap in the glue and to measure the size of the gap.
- Voids or gaps in the glue will allow moisture to penetrate at the seam resulting in swelling along the plank edges.
About Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer
Can anything be done when edges of laminate is bubbled when a pet urine has not been seen and had dried on the floor and bubbling has occurred?
Carole
The planks that have bubbled along the edges from pet urine are permanently damaged. These planks are not correctable and the only thing you can do is have the damaged planks replaced.
Terry
I would like to purchase a dinette set with chairs that have casters. Will it damage the laminate flooring if I replace the wheels with rubber casters?
Kathy
Rubber casters are generally approved for laminate floor as they will usually not create the type of damage you see caused by plastic and metal casters. Since the warranty of all laminate manufacturers and on all laminate floors is not the same you will need to read the warranty information that covers your floor. If you don’t have that information but have the name of the manufacturer and the product you should be able to get a copy of the warranty by performing a Google search or by contacting your dealer.
Terry
± year ago installed Jatoba (Thomasville Engrd.Wood) on condo slab (removed carpet) and now have “popping” noises (when walked on) in several areas. How can these “voids” be eliminated?
M.
Is this a floating floor, glued floor, nail down? Is the floor installed over wood, particleboard, concrete or other? Did you have wall to wall carpet over the engineered wood or was it a rug you removed? Or are you saying that you removed the carpet and then installed the engineered floor and now have popping sounds? You mention voids. Are these voids between boards or under the boards? You really need to give a lot more information and if you do so I am sure that either a reader of this forum or one of us at the Weinheimer Group will have a suggestion for you. Please comment back with your expanded information.
Terry W.
Hi.
I work as a house keeper and one of my clients has very lovely laminated floors in there new home, They have a matt finish which I had never seen before, there very well installed you can see that a glance. I was called in to work at there home because my client was having problems cleaning them. Cleaning Laminated floors are very easy to do, it usually only takes clean water and a light cleaning solution only to remove scuff marks and dirt brought into the home from the out side and they are as good as new. The problem hear is that these floors do not clean the way there suppose too. You wash them and there seems to be a gray film that covers the floor and when dry they look streaky and the gray film is still there. what to do?
Linda
You mention that the reason your customer called you is that they were having difficulty cleaning the floor. The description of the problem with the floor drying with a gray film it sounds like the customer was not using the correct product to clean the floor or they may have been over using the correct product. Since not all laminate floors are identical my suggestion to you would be to call the customer service or technical department of the manufacturer that made this specific floor. When you describe the problem they should be able to tell you what you will need to do to clean them. Click on the Manufacturer Help link at this website and you may find your answer. http://laminatefloorproblems.com/category/install-laminate-flooring-manufacturers-installation-instructions/ If you don’t find a contact number here contact us back and we will see that one is added.
Terry
I have a laminate floor pergo type. Not the wood one, the fake kind that looks like tiles.
I had an under sink leak and water made it sort of come up at the edges.
Is there a way to make sure it does not come up?
so it would lay flat again instead of sort of having edges that look bubbly?
please help/thank you
Sara
Water likely got under the laminate floor where it was absorbed into the core and the printed paper that makes up the design. Unless the bubbles go down on their own and they rarely do, your best bet is to replace the tiles in the damaged area with matching tile.
Terry