Printing Error

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.

Chips, Dents, Scratches, Gouges in Laminate Planks

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 by a dropped object.

When a chip is located at a single plank corner, this is usually a plank that was installed damaged or became damaged during installation.

An installer must be careful not to install a plank with a chipped corner and if it chips during installation it should be pulled at that time and replaced with a different plank.

Dents, Gouges, Indentations in Laminate Floor

Dents: Like floors of wood and bamboo, laminate floors are subject to denting when a heavy object is dropped on it.

Dents from dropped objects will have stress cracks around the edge of the dent.

Indentations or Gouges: Heavy objects being rolled across a laminate floor can cause indentations or deep gouges.

Laminate Scratching and Scuffing

While some over zealous sales people tend to sell laminate floor as being indestructible most laminate flooring manufacturers state that their floor is scratch resistant. Do not confuse scratch resistant with scratch proof as this is not the same. Usually scratches are not covered by a manufacturers warranty.

Scratch Prevention: Use felt protector on all furniture legs. Keep animal nails trimmed. Place an area rug at all entrances to catch gritty soil and debris. Shoes can trap debris in the soles and scratch a floor. Avoid using hard plastic toys on a laminate floor as hard plastics can abrade a laminate finish.

Caster Damage to Laminate Floor

• The proper caster must be used on office and other rolling chairs.

• Some manufacturers state that an office chair must have at least 5 casters.

Most laminate flooring manufactures state that rubber casters need to be used as both metal and plastic casters will cause, indentations, abrasions, scratching or scuffing to the surface of the laminate floor.

Improper casters such as metal and hard plastics can also cause chipping along the edge of the planks.

Tapping Block Damage

A tapping block is sometimes used by the installer to join the short ends of the planks.

When a tapping block is used improperly or an objects such as a hammer is used, or planks are kicked together this can damage plank edges.

Laminate Floor Problems and Concerns

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.

Water Damage Laminate Floor

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 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.

Laminate Floor Plank Alignment

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. Not only does this look bad, the floor will not perform properly.

Out of Rack Laminate Floor

Planks must be installed tightly together on both the short and long sides.

When the laminate flooring is not installed tightly together a wedge shaped gap known as “Out of Rack” will occur.