The flooring material needs to be acclimated in the area of installation. This means that if the laminate is to be installed in the family room it should be acclimated in that room.

Storing the laminate flooring in the garage is not acclimation even if the garage is attached. Storage of the material at the store or warehouse of the dealer or installer is not acclimation unless the floor is to be installed in the store or warehouse.

Not all laminate manufacturers require acclimation. If the dealer or installer says it is not necessary to acclimate insist that they show you where the manufacturer states that in writing. Don’t make the manufacturers, dealers or installers problem yours. If they say that the floor does not require acclimation insist on getting this in writing.

When a floor acclimates the product is adjusting to the humidity of the area of installation.

All wet work in the area of installation such as plastering and painting must be completed prior to the start of acclimation.  All windows and doors must be installed prior to the start of acclimation. The heating and air conditioning system must be operational at or near occupancy levels. If installing over concrete the concrete should have been tested and found to be at acceptable levels for the installation of the laminate.

When a floor is not acclimated prior to installation it can be hard to click together chipping or damaging the edges of the laminate. A floor that is not acclimated to its environment is more likely to experience problems such as expansion, tenting, squeaking and buckling after installation.

If you are unsure of the laminate manufacturers installation requirements a copy of them is often contained in each carton. Most manufacturers’ installation instructions are also available on LaminateFloorProblems.com

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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 core material.

While you may not see the leak an inspector can tell that excess moisture is there by use of a moisture meter.

Flooding

Severe plumping leaks such as a pipe break or overflowing toilet will usually result in buckling of a laminate floor.

Water Damage to Laminate Floor From Concrete

Moisture can enter into the back of a laminate floor resulting in cupping. An entire floor may cup from a concrete floor that is too wet. This can occur even when a vapor barrier has been used below the laminate floor.

Testing for Moisture

All concrete floors should be tested for moisture prior to installation of the laminate floor covering.

Newly poured concrete should be allowed to cure for at least 60 days prior to installation of the laminate floor.

There are a number of ways to tests for moisture. Many of these such as electronic testing and calcium chloride testing should be performed by companies such as The Weinheimer Group LLC that have the proper training and equipment.

Easy Consumer or Installer Test for Concrete Moisture

Below is a test that can be used inexpensively, without training. This test is acceptable by many laminate flooring manufacturers.

Materials:

• 6 mil polyethylene film
• Duct tape.

Procedure:

• Using duct tape completely seal a 2′ x 2′ section of the polyethylene film down to an area of clean concrete. It is best to do this in several locations where the laminate floor is to be installed. At least one test per 500 square feet.
• After 72  hours remove the plastic. (one week is better)
• If the concrete is dark or wet below the plastic the subfloor is too wet to install a laminate floor.

Water Damage Maintenance and Pet Damage

• Spills and improper wet cleaning of a laminate floor can cause swelling at the laminate joints. This is often seen as puffy areas along the edge of the planks and frequently crosses between plank edges.
• The most common cause of  edge swelling over a large area is wet mopping or using popular floor cleaning equipment such as but not limited to the Swiffer Wet Jet.
• Sometimes it takes a year or two of use before maintenance related issues start to show up. Some floors may never experience noticeable damage by these cleaning methods and others will experience severe damage. Water damage is rarely covered by the laminate manufacturer.
• Spills and damage from pet urine are usually localized and show as swelled areas between planks. This is a site related condition and not a laminate floor problem and will almost never covered by a manufacturer warranty.

Sealant Around Laminate Edges

• Some laminate flooring manufacturers require a sealant to be used around objects such as sliding glass doors, kitchen cabinets, water hearers and in other areas prone to leaks and moisture.
• The proper sealant must be used to prevent lock in of the floor.
• The sealant must be properly applied or voids will be left for moisture to enter.
• Failure to use a sealant as specified by the laminate flooring manufacturer can void a warranty.

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