Laminate Floor Problems - Solutions - Care - Repair
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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...]
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...]
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...]
Interior Vapor Barrier Over Concrete Subfloor When a laminate floating floor is installed over a concrete subfloor a moisture barrier must be used. Failure to install a proper vapor barrier over concrete will likely result in a floor expanding. This will cause laminate floor problems such as cupping and gaps. Always check a manufacturers installation instructions prior to installation to … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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. … [Read more...]
