Comments on: Identification of Common Laminate Floor Problems

By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer

Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:12:33 +0000

Mary
You may be using too much cleaner or you may have hard water. You can purchase test strips at your local hardware or a place like Lowes or Home Depot to test your water.
Terry W.

By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer

Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:08:16 +0000

Terry
Yes, hard water could be the problem. It is also possible that the Mop and Glow is leaving a residue on your laminate floor. If you know who the manufacturer of your laminate flooring is, look them up on the internet, locate the phone number of their technical department and give them a call. Find out what product they recommend for their floor. Be careful not to use too much of any product as even the best laminate cleaners will leave a residue if over used.
Terry W

By: Terry Wickline

Terry Wickline — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:45:00 +0000

I read reviews on how easy laminate flooring is. I am so aggravated. Laminate floor is high quality, dark in color,very shinny. I use Mop in Glow, mop only. Vinegar and water. This floor streaks no matter what I do. I have to mop and then take a dry mop over it until it is dry. Just read some where on line, hard water could be causing the problem. Please tell me you have herd of this before.

By: mary

mary — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:37:04 +0000

hi i bought a st. james laminate floor from lumber liquidators and had it installed about a year ago and i’m having a problem with cleaning i have tried different cleaners all which leave a film on my floor and streaks when mopping i even bought bellawood from them but was not happy with it cause it streaked. i have tried soap and water , plain water and water and vinegar to get rid of it and nothing.. what do you suggest to use to get the dirty film off my floor? cause whenever i get done mopping and walk on it it leaves your feet dirty. i should only have to sweep my floor and clean it once a week but it is horrible i’m embarassed by it

By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer

Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:07:34 +0000

Doris
Varnish may make it shiny but you do not have varnish on your laminate floor, what you have is a plastic wear layer. If you have any extra planks or can get extra planks an expert laminate floor installer can replace the damaged planks for you.
Terry

By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer

Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:03:38 +0000

Todd
I agree with you that it doesn’t sound reasonable that a bit of water on a kitchen floor should cause problems. Unfortunately with some laminate floors especially many of the bargain priced ones it takes but a couple of minutes for water to damage them. With your moderately priced to better floors a small amount of water can “usually” be at the seam for 5 to 15 minutes before being wiped up and not cause a problem. Larger spills can be a problem on most all of the floors for the water gets below the laminate flooring and is absorbed back into the plank. Check your Warranty and see what it has to say about water and this will help you determine if you have a legitimate claim.
Terry

By: Todd

Todd — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:32:22 +0000

I have a brand new laminate floor in my kitchen. Some water was spilled on it and was immediately wiped up. The floor has swelled along the seams and the edges have raised. How much moisture should a laminate floor be able to sustain. It doesn’t seem reasonable that any water on a kitchen floor would cause immediate damage.

By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer

Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:27:33 +0000

Joan
Unfortunately the floor may be beyond saving. Steaming of laminate floor is not recommended even though there are companies advertising their steamers for use on laminate. Sanding is out as the pattern on laminate is a printed paper and not a natural grain. Scraping can damage the plastic that is over the paper if you are not careful. You might want to try putting a 1-10 mixture of Simple Green in a spray bottle, spraying it on the soil allowing it to dwell for a few minutes and wiping off. Be sure not to over wet the floor as over wetting can cause problems of their own when it comes to laminate. If the Simple Green doesn’t work try acetone. Put the acetone on a cloth and wipe. I would suggest wearing a respirator and having good ventilation when using the acetone.
Good luck, Terry

By: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer

Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:20:08 +0000

My son has bought a house that has laminate in the kitchen. It has a coating of grease, dirt and grime on top of the laminate in front of the stove, sink and refrig. Have tried different laminate cleaners and even a putty knife. Also tried a steamer cleaner. It is working some but have to work inch by inch and is very frustrating. I would think you wouldn’t be able to very lightly sand it off so am looking for a miracle cleaner.

By: joan

joan — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:53:53 +0000