Water Damage
Water damage to laminate flooring is a common occurrence seen by laminate flooring inspectors.. The cause of this damage is often such things as a flood, slow leak from plumbing, improper maintenance and spills. Just about any way you can get water onto many laminate floors seems to result water damage to many of these laminate floors. This is especially true with less expensive DPL products and the water that was not been wiped up immediately. Many sport centers face this problem and according to http://www.sportsandsafetysurfaces.co.uk/ , sometimes this damage is covered under the manufactures warranty. At other times water damage may be covered under home owners insurance and often most water damage is not covered at all. Depending upon the severity of the damage it may be correctable by a plank replacement. At other times a larger portion of, or the entire installation may need to be replaced.
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. These leaks allowed to go unnoticed, are dangerous to the value of you home.
Leaks are often very slow which makes them difficult to identify them early 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 severe water damage including the buckling of a laminate floor.
Water Damage to Laminate Floor From Concrete
Moisture can enter into the back of a laminate floor with the water damage 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 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 and will give you a good indication if there is excessive moisture in the concrete that may lead to water damage of your laminate flooring.
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 water damage in the form of 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.
Thank you so much for your information. I think when the people spill the water on their laminate floor, it is better for them to wipe the spilled water quickly. It is also the same with the pet urine. Do not wait for longer time to wipe it.
Better not install laminate flooring as somebodies bound to spill something by human error, laminate flooring seems like not the best solution inless it can be serviced easily. i.e taken up easily to treat and then put back down again.
With overflow of washing machine going straight to the concrete floor and underneath the laminated floor, surely plumbers could fit a back up water overflow connector that could be drained – a back up pipe going to the drain outside – with a mouse trap to stop little creatures coming into my flat.
Surely we must be open and honest about what to use for flooring and if using – how to install today as from what we have learn’t from yesterday.
Terrible to think of all those people getting new laminated floor and not actually understanding the latest way of installation – money down the drain in my view. – a wasting peoples hard earn’t money.
I have indication of pet moisture causing joint swelling in the middle of my laminate floor. I would like to replace the laminate boards, however, the swelling problems are nearest to the side that I started laying down the floor. I anticipate a problem taking apart and reassembling because the tongues are in the opposite direction. Do you have any ideas.
Tom
Armstrong flooring has an excellent guide on line that will give you step by step instructions including plank replacement. The plank replacement instructions will work on just about any laminate flooring product regardless of who the manufacturer is. The instructions can be found at http://www.armstrong.com/common/c2002/content/files/15948.pdf
Terry
Our new laminate kitchen floor adjoins the exterior aluminum door sill and I notice that condensation is forming there due to the temperature difference outside to inside. I am concerned that this could damage the laminate. What can I do to prevent moisture damage to the laminate at the contact point with the door sill?
Bill
First you need to make sure that the aluminum door frame is properly sealed against outside moisture. Secondly you should make sure you have the proper trim along the sliding door to help prevent moisture transfer to the laminate and cover the expansion gap that needs to be left along a vertical surface such as the track for a sliding door. I have posted an information page on transitions that you will find by following the link below. https://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/laminate-moldings-and-transitions/
Terry
Hi there – my mother used a steam vac on our new laminate floor and caused curling and minor bubbling on several boards along the edges of the laminate. Is there any way to fix this or make it look a bit better? I have not been able to locate enough replacement boards – apparently, these boards are no longer made. Thank you.
Sean
If the laminate is installed in more than one room or area you might consider removing one of the areas, use those boards to make repairs to the other area. Replace the removed area with new planks that closely match and divide the areas with a “T” style transition. Unless you are able to get more matching planks this is the only way I can think of obtaining a good appearance with a fix. Unfortunately steam cleaning laminate floor will damage many laminates causing the blisters, curling and bubbling your mother experienced.
Terry
Hello,
We recently moved into a house with new wood type laminate flooring throughout (including the kitchen). The floor looks great. The problem we are having is some of the seams are swelling where the planks join in the kitchen around the sink area. There is no bubbling or damaged to the laminate only the seams. We do our best to clean up any water that spills as soon as we notice, but water still manages to get on to the flooring.
Is there any way to shrink or fix the swollen seams without pulling up the floor and replacing the planks? Because of the water issue with this type of flooring, it feels we are always walking on eggshells around the house (especially the kitchen). Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Phillip
Phillip
If it is only around the sink area where the edges as you describe are “bubbling”, you may have a slow leak that is causing a moisture issue below the laminate. Unfortunately you will often not be able to see this and will need to have someone such as a flooring inspector or installer check it with a moisture detector.
While I have seen a few bubbled areas flatten out as an area dries this is not common and I have never heard of a successful way to shrink or repair them other then plank replacement.
If it is only in front of the sink and you are sure the bubbles are from topical moisture you might consider using a washable throw rug in front of the sink.
Terry W.
Phillip
Terry,
Thanks for the quick response. There is no bubbling only swollen seams. Is there a way that you know of to shrink the swollen seams? We will be purchasing washable throw rugs next time we go to the store. Thanks again.
Phillip
We have 3 dogs, one of whom “marks” frequently at corners and door frames. We rarely catch him in the act to clean up immediately. “Fixing” the dog is not an option that other family members will discuss.
From reading this site, it appears that laminate may not be the way to go for us. The old, nasty carpet is installed over sub-flooring. I do not want to replace with carpet. However, I don’t want to spend what hardwood would cost, since we probably will not be in the house in 5 years. The neighborhood is a mixture of houses, most 30+ years old, some with old hardwood floors.
Any other flooring suggestions would be appreciated.
Teri
I would get rid of the dog! If you are willing to put up with an animal that is going to frequently pee on your floor, walls and door frames consider ceramic tile and not laminate.
Terry
Thanks. That’s sort of what I figured, tile or vinyl. I’d get rid of the dog or fix him, but he’s not mine and I got out voted. A story for a different time and place.
I installed laminate flooring approximately 5 years ago, on a concrete slab, I used the appropiate vapor barrier about 3 years ago I noticed that there was water damage on a cut end located at a sliding glass door, (on one end of a 9ft opening) this year I noticed that there is water damage on the other end, I called the contractor, because there is water that sits on the outside on the patio of the 9ft sliding glass door, he felt it might be condensation problem. Is this right, or could it be something else?
I’d look into staining the concrete. It isn’t for everyone but I would love it. Very easy to clean and you just can’t damage it easily. You’d have to look at your concrete to see how many cracks, flaws, glue etc. it has so you can get an idea of how much it would take to get the floor ready for stain. Another piece of advice…don’t do it yourself. It takes a well-practiced professional and it can be expensive too.
Richard
While it may be condensation it sounds as if water may somehow be getting in under the track. Even a small amount of moisture over a period of time can be absorbed by most laminate floors. May sure that there are no leaks and the expansion space between the laminate and the track have caulked with a good quality flexible caulking.
Terry
Elizabeth
Thank you for sharing. Stained concrete certainly is an option in areas where a laminate floor is not working such as concrete with too high of a moisture content.
Terry
Kevin and Terry:
I recently purchased a condo on the beach in Florida. The previous owner incorrectly installed wood laminate floors throughout the unit, kitchen, living room and bedroom. By incorrectly, he did it in sections (?) that are obvious as the seam is straight across! There are several deep scratches. As this building is very old, air conditioning is wall units. Directly under the wall unit in the bedroom a “section” is damaged. I am guessing water seepage. The floor is spongey and drops down when you step on it. Scary at first, but then it was pointed out to me that there is concrete below it (I am on the second floor).
I had someone (not a floor expert) look at it, and he said the only way to find out what was going on was to remove the whole section.
Also, as this was a “DIY” project gone bad, I’m not sure if the proper insulation or barrier was placed under the flooring, as the neighbor downstairs said she can hear every footstep, and was grateful I moved in as I am light weight and light footed.
Is there any hope to salvage what is here, and if not, how difficult would it be to have it removed and replaced? The square footage is approximately 600 sq ft. It was advertised in the MLS as “Brazilian Bamboo”, which I don’t understand.
I have lived in many places, but have never had this type of flooring. I don’t even know the proper way to clean it.
Can you help in any way?
Thank you so much!
Carol
What you say about your laminate floor makes it sound like a nightmare. You describe a lot of problems from improper flooring installation to your neighbor below hearing people walk on the floor, to water damage and scratches. Lets take these issues one-by-one.
As far as the scratches go you will just need to live with them or touch them up. Talk with your local hardware or paint store about the products they sell to touch up hardwood. These can range from crayola type products to stains.
Your neighbor hearing people walk on the floor, about all you can do now short of replacing the floor with a sound reducing cushion under it is to use area rugs on top.
In the room that has water damage my big concern would be your health. In this room you need to replace at least the damaged section of the floor if not the entire room. Your installer is correct that the only way to know what is going on is to pull it up at least in the damaged area.
When the MLS listed the floor as Brazilian Bamboo I have no idea if they were referring to its color or style! Maybe the agent that handled the sale of your home can get you more information on the product that was used.
Terry
Hi Terry,
We have a ground apartment that we recently rented out (about 8 mths ago) which has laminated flooring in both the bedroom and living room. The tenant incorrectly installed a window ac in the bedroom. We have recently had some very heavy rain showers (we live in nyc). The tenant went on vacation for almost 3 weeks, left the ac in the window and during the vacation period we had some serious rain showers. Because of the incorrect installation of the ac, the rain got into the bedroom and sat unnoticed for the entire time she was gone. She came back and stated that the flooring in the bedroom is swollen and there was mold forming under her bed from this. Does this mean that to correct the swelling, we will have to redo the entire bedroom or only correct was is damaged? Please help causes I am beyond ticked off about this.
Palmer
You mention that water got in, the laminate floor is buckling and there is mold growing. Where you have buckling and mold you have excessive moisture. Even if the floor and floor covering has almost fully dried out which is unlikely you can still have danger mold below. You ask if you need to replace the floor in the entire bedroom. Mold is a health risk that must be addressed. If I owned this apartment the entire bedroom flooring which much of is ruined any way due to buckling and mold would be removed and replaced to protect future tenants and me from future liability.
Terry
Hello,
we have laminate flooring in our kitchen, dining area, and living roon which all attach one to the other. Recently the water to the ice maker didn’t stop when it should have while no one was home. There was water under the refridgerator and we cleaned it as soon as we could by laying a towel and stepping on the panels to squish as much water as we could out, though it has to have been there for an hour or two. The edges of quite a few panels have swollen up looking a little lumpy. Will it dry without being a health hazord? Will the panels eventually go back to normal? or will we need to replace it? This was a one time incident.
Thank you for your suggestions.
Diane
Diane
With this type of situation there is always the possibility of mold growth. If you haven’t already done so you may want to consider pulling out the damaged portion of the floor and replacing it.
Terry
How do you fill in a dirty cement floor after taking off carpet?
As an epoxy contractor perhaps you would like to share how you do it.
Hello, I am visiting this website on a regular basis, this site is truly pleasant and the visitors are genuinely sharing.
i have read difernt reports on water damaged venneer floors. my problem seems diferent.next to the shower there is a 2inch band that is solid black. but there is no other damage .is there a way to remove this stain?
Bobby, First of all keep in mind that this blog discusses laminate floors and not wood floors. If you are talking about laminate floor and not an engineered wood floor you are not going to remove the black discoloration. Remember, that the design of a laminate floor is on a printed layer with a wear layer and top coat of plastic above. If you are speaking of a engineered wood floor with an actual wood veneer, it may be possible to chemically lighten the stain but it is doubtful that you are going to totally remove it.
Terry
I put a load of laundry in the washer, took my dogs out and came back in and found water all over the floor. (The hose came out of the wall.) There is tile in the laundry room but the water spread onto our new laminate floors. I know some of the water got underneath because the transition strips havent even been installed yet. I cleaned all the water up as fast as possible, less than 15 minutes from when it happened. I now have 8 fans blowing on the areas. I called insurance and there is someone coming tomorrow to inspect the damage but the told me it was going to be $1200 to install fans and dehumidifiers. Is it worth paying that much? Do you think they are likely to warp or get mold underneath since I was able to clean it quickly? Just want a second opinion. Thanks.
With laminate flooring and the problem you describe, drying with fans will rarely prevent damage to the floor and will not remove water that has gotten below the laminate. They need to do a moisture test and if there is high moisture below the laminate it will need to be removed.
Even though many laminates can be taken apart and snapped back together, it is highly likely the laminate flooring will need to be replaced.
Diane, There is not a particular number of times that laminate floor can be improperly cleaned before it is damaged.
As far as removing soot, if vacuuming does not work the manufacturer of the floor installed should be contacted and asked what they would suggest you use. The manufacturer may say that the floor needs to be replace once soot gets into the seams.
As far as flooring inspectors in Alaska. If you can’t find one I will go there but unfortunately we need to charge travel on top of the inspection fee.
Terry Weinheimer
We had laminate flooring installed about 7 months ago and had issues in the first few weeks. The floor wants to keep raising up in places, causing it to raise and lower as you walk across it. This has also knocked loose all of my trim molding along the bottom of the wall. The installer came back out and trimmed around the edges of the floor to allow more movement and expansion of the floor. He stated it might take several weeks to months before it would correct. We have not seen any big changes in the issues and wondered what else could be done to fix it or call the installer back out. This area of the floor has never had moisture issues.
It seems to me that swollen seams could be repaired by using some type of light oil,heat, (possibly an iron) and pressure to reduce the swelling. Any thoughts out there? Let me know.
Handyman, Laminate floors are produced in layers that normally consist of an HDL or LDL core, paper print layer (much like wallpaper) and a melamine (plastic) surface. With this construction oil and heat will not work as a correction. Keep on sharing your ideas though!
Terry W.
Mike, The two major causes of this problem are moisture and locked in planks. Though the installer was out and added more expansion space, if there still remains any lock in such as cabinets, trim, baseboard nails, etc. the floor may not go back down. Though you say you have never had a moisture problem did the installer tell you what the subfloor and laminate plank moisture was? You do not need to see moisture for moisture level for it to be excessive. If the subfloor is not flat and level you may have a continuing problem. If moisture level is at the proper level, the floor is flat and the floor is not locked in it may go down over time. Unfortunately, only more time will tell!
Terry
When we were replacing our flooring I explained to the gentleman that I have 3 grandsons, 3 dogs and a cat. I needed a durable floor. Turns out we have a leaky pipe and the kitchen laminate is soaked. Called the shop and they were kind enough to tell me how to remove the floor and save it. He said it would go back to normal. Everything I’ve read here tells me he’s wrong. Is it possible to save it? I sure don’t want to waste time removing it, marking it, and wait for it to dry.
How soon after improperly cleaning a laminate floor with too much moisture will any ill effects show up. I recently cleaned the laminate floor with too much water and I am concerned it will show signs of cupping or buckling, even though I wiped up promptly.
Commode leaked about a week and overflowed. Tried to dry out with fans to slow
took all up boards seem to be ok no curling or buckling going to let mr sun
shine on them each day for a week would it be safe, moisture wish to reinstall
Millie
Without putting a meter on the floor to test for moisture you really don’t know how high it still is. If you are having an installer reinstall it only hire one that is professional enough to have a moisture meter and test the floor and material before installing. If you are going to install it yourself and not going to have it tested for moisture you might want to consider giving it another week or two before installing.
Terry
We had a contractor install flooring and it appears they did not leave enough room at the fire place for expansion and a 4″ buckle occured after 1-2 weeks. They claim the new flooring got water damaged and asked for payment to fix their work. We have had other contractors come out with a meter and they find no moisture. The original guy is coming back to pull a plank and see if it is water damage (it is not). He mentioned if it is water damage he would see streaks or marks on the board. Is this true? How do I tell if he is making up the water damage excuse and how can I tell if it is really water damage or if he is full of crap if he blames it on water damage and not the fact they did not cut enough out around the fire place for expansion. Thanks -Dave
Dave, it sounds like this is an expansion problem. When a laminate floor expands from normal changes in relative humidity it needs a place to expand to. If pinched against a fixed object such as the fireplace it can lift off the floor.
If the second contractor did not find high moisture with the meter, high moisture is probably not the problem. With a moisture mete water can be found without lifting the floor. Once high moisture is found, that is the time to remove the floor.
As far as streaks on the floor from water, you will often see these with wood but laminate is a different product. Laminate is usually made of a hardboard core, paper print and plastic coating. Instead of streaks you get blistering of the planks, usually on the edges. You can also get cupping and buckling as the floor expands.
It sounds like the original contractor needs to do his job right and correct the floor. If I were you, I would get ahead of the installation instructions, go through them and figure out what else they probably did wrong such as not enough expansion space at walls and other fixed objects.
Good luck,
Terry
I have had a water leak from my dishwasher and the water has seeped under my laminate flooring. It is a mess and I know most of the kitchen needs to be replaced. My whole house is laminate and all the same color and seamless. I had this same problem in my former home. I need a soft flooring and tile is not an option. Is there any type flooring I can use that will not be destroyed from this type problem? Would this have happened with a wooden floor? Thank you for your help.
Rosanna, Sorry to hear you had a dishwaher leak that made a mess of your laminate floor. Not only with lamiante flooring but with any floating floor it is generally best to take it up when water gets under it. Even with a naildown wood floor, if much water is to get below it the floor is likely to cup. You ask what kind of floor you can install besides tile to avoid a repeat of this problem. You might want to consider a fully glued sheet vinyl or linoleum. Even with those products some water can get below though it is more difficult.
Hope that helps,\
Terry
Thank you guys for your very informative page. Briefly, how much time do I have to dry water on my floor before swelling at the seams would eventually result?
During the summer a dishwasher leak caused water to drain under the laminate floor in the kitchen and spread into the hall and living room. The laminate buckled at the seams.
Is this dangerous in any way? Or can it safely be left as is?
Foskea
Water damaged laminate flooring has the potential of being dangerous. When water gets below the laminate flooring there is always the possibility of mold developing. If the flooring is buckled it can create a tripping hazard. If you have a homeowners policy on your house you may want to speak with your insurance company. Dishwasher leaks are covered under some policies.
Terry
Paul
While some laminate manufactures may tell you that you have 10, 15 minutes or even longer to dry water up, it really depends on the product and was it clear water, cold water, hot water water with a soap or detergent in it, urine or something else. Not all laminate products are equal. On many laminate floors if lot of water gets on them it will quickly enter the seams and you will likely not be able to dry it out before the seams swell. With some floors you could spill less than a cup of water and some of it gets between the seams and swell them. So about all you can really do is dry up water immediately and hope that the laminate seams do not swell.
Sorry I can’t give you a concise answer,
Terry
I have just finished renovating the whole house and the basement has laminate flooring. This past weekend the floor drain in the furnace room was tripped, causing some water onto the laminate flooring. The joints on the side closest to the furnace room have some swelling or bubbles. Do I replace them or let it try. Is there a possibility of mold? What is the best of handling this?
Razia
If this laminate flooring was in a property I owned and it became flooded, I would remove the damaged section. When water gets under a laminate floor from flooding it will be absorbed by the core of the floor. Also there is the possibility of mold. You say your laminate flooring is swelling or has bubbles. These swells and bubbles will not dry out to the point to where the flooring appears new again. While the decision is up to you, removal is what I would do!
Terry
I have had my dishwasher leak and water swelled the joints on two planks of Vanwood laminate. A few months ago, a power outage caused the refrigerator water/ice maker to leak and water damaged four planks. I have other places in my home where water droplets managed to find the seams and are now swelled. Laminate flooring just doesn’t seem the right product to install in a kitchen. My insurance may or may not cover replacement of only the damaged planks. I don’t know whether it is feasible to activate the insurance and lose my claims free status to replace planks that could get damaged by water again. Any thoughts? Vanwood flooring. Not sure who manufactures it but it isn’t very durable.
Karen,
I am not familiar with Vanwood laminate. When I checked them out on the internet they appeared to be a supplier with a couple of outlets. Perhaps they have just not made it to my part of the country. In areas where you have water such as a kitchen or bathroom, laminate flooring can become damaged by water much easier than when installed in other areas. While some people have great success with laminate in their kitchen for years, it can be a roll of the dice. As far as using your insurance you might want to discuss it with your agent. If you have a deductible that is anywhere close to the cost of repair or replacement than the agent may advise you to not file a claim.
Good luck to you,
Terry
That is a very good tip particularly to those new to
the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate info⌠Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post!
I’ve lost two laminate floors in 8 years to water getting under the planks. Not from the top, but directly underneath the floating laminate floor. Would it be possible to somehow seal around the edges of the floor, at least in the area near a dishwasher, refrigerator, air conditioner, etc. ?
Jake, it sounds like you have had some bad luck with water getting under your laminate flooring. It does help to reduce water getting under it by sealing around the edges of laminate flooring when used in a wet areas. Be sure that you use a 100 percent silicone caulking as it remains flexible and allow the laminate to expand and contract.
Best, Kevin and Terry
Five weeks ago my son clogged the toilet – it flushed, but then overflowed from the bowl and the top. Embarrassed to say but it is true that I didn’t know to turn the water off at knob below . . .two bedrooms, a hallway, the bathroom and a bit of the living room all flooded with clean water. Within maybe 30 minutes we were water vacuuming it up and the next day I bought a dehumidifier and fans. Have run those 24/7 for five weeks. The very next day after the flood I called insurance and had a local cleaning company come. The young fella used his meter with the red light showing moisture everywhere and said I needed to rip all of it up, right away. I balked. Then had two friends, not in the flooring business but trusted types, tell me to keep drying it and see what happens. I have seams that are uneven, some bubbling, squishiness. Finally opened a claim. The visual piece does not look that bad – easily something I can live with. I just keep hearing and now reading on your blog too, that it is what is underneath that becomes dangerous. The insurance has said they’ll replace all the flooring – and the second cleaning company found moisture on their meter on a kitchen wall adjacent to the bedroom. I just don’t know how trustworthy these folks generally are, but would love any input I can get. Thank you.
Trina, from what you have described, I would side with the cleaning company that said you should rip the floor out. You are not only playing it safer but also much better off allowing the insurance company to replace the floor.
Terry and Kevin
Hey there,
We have laminate flooring in our rooms, but it’s the kind that gets glued down (it’s in our commercial property). We noticed in the one room it is starting to get black patches (looks almost like clouds in the way it forms). None of our other rooms have this issue and we’ve had spills in all of the rooms and they are all cleaned the same way. When I called the company, they said that the glue sometimes turns black which is what we’re seeing, but that it wasn’t an issue. I am still worried about it though. Is this something you have heard of? Any suggestions on what we can do or if it is safe to just leave it?
Alex
The way you describe the floor and what is going on, it sounds like this may be a vinyl plank floor and not a laminate floor. Is it vinyl and is it installed over concrete? This could be a moisture concern from below. Would need to perform an inspection and test to positively tell you what is occurring.
It could be vinyl and yes it is installed on a concrete floor.
Shaw laminate flooring is not worth a crap.
Archie
Sounds like you have had a bad experience with Shaw laminate floors. Why don’t you share your experience with the readers. If you have not contacted Shaw with your concern you should really do so. As flooring inspectors we see a variety of laminate floors including Shaw laminate floors. Our experience has been that Shaw budget variety laminate compares to other budget laminate floors and their better laminate floors are some of the best on the market.
Battling an interesting issue… Pulled up laminate flooring and found the whole concrete floor underneath was damp. The laminate itself was dry and looked OK. Curious if anyone knows if a dishwasher leak or the water heater leak we had years ago could have caused this. Still ruling out any pipe issues under the house but the memory of those appliances leaking came to mind. Could theoretically water have seeped under the vapor barrier across the whole room and been sitting there for years?
Jack
While an old leak is possible, my suggestion would be to allow the concrete to take on a dry appearance than perform a simple moisture test.
Duct tape an 18-inch square of clear plastic to the surface of the concrete slab. Wait 16 hours and if you see moisture under the plastic the moisture is coming through the concrete and not from and old dishwasher leak.
We have wood laminate in our great room and kitchen, there is a wall between the two rooms. My sink and dishwasher are on against this wall. Last year we had to replace the floor in the kitchen and a couple of planks in the great room next to the wall because of the dishwasher leaking. It had gone under the wall right behind the dishwasher, and all under the kitchen floor that I could tell at the time. Now my great room floor has started lifting at the seams , but not against the wall, in the middle of the floor. Could this be damage from that leak? They dried out the kitchen but not the great room with the fans and dehumidifiers. I am baffled if this is not the reason.
Joan
The way you describe the floor lifting at the seams near the middle of the room it does not sound like this is from the original moisture problem. The most likely cause is the floor being pinched somewhere as as it is expanding it has no place to go but up. Some of the things that could pinch the flooring include but are not limited to, Dishwasher leg being placed on top of the laminate. Not enough expansion space along a wall or fixed object and the flooring is locked in. Baseboards being installed to tight against the laminate and preventing movement. Nails or screws through laminate. It only takes one small locked in or pinched spot to result in a laminate flooring tenting when it expands.
Terry
we recently had a leak in the kitchen and dining area and whilst i mopped it all up the following morning when i noticed the water, some months later where the water had been some of the planks have softened and there is a slight bulge in some areas. Also where some of the planks softened whilst furniture has been on the softened planks this has chipped some of the boards. would this be the result of the leak if it didnt show for some time later ?
Claire, this certainly may be a slow leak that is causing this problem.
You did address. How to repair laminate without replacing it there should be some way drying the edges with low heat and then compressing the edges with heavy weight over the edge while injecting glue
Frank, sounds interesting, why do you give it a try and let us know how it turns out.
Terry
we purchased laminated flooring about 2 years ago. we recently noticed that in the middle of the floor some of the boards were lifting only on the left hand side of the board/s. I know what water damage should look like, but this looks more like the connections might be the problem.
any help on if this is an installation problem or wrong cleaning products.
Concerned
This may be expansion instead of water. Look to see if you can find any areas where a plank or part of a plank is touching a wall, cabinet, etc. When even a small area of a floating floor is locked in, it can later expand and lift at a joint.
i had a drip pan leak through a ceiling and leave a three foot by three foot puddle for about 24 hours… i see a little discoloration that i think will buff out and one seem with slight raised area… i watched the restoration guys and their meter- this was about 24 hours after water dried did not show moisture.. they still wanted to tear up some floor but i told them to wait….do i need to tear up some planks???
It this is a floating floor, especially laminate, it may start to peak or warp in a few weeks even though the moisture meter showed dry. You could wait to make your decision if you choose, that would be up to you. If there are any signs of moisture than if it was me, I would likely take it up now.
Love this site. We had Columbia Flooring Originals laminate flooring professionally installed several years ago. We love the flooring, easy to clean using damp cloths. Also had it installed in 3 bathrooms which have also been great, have small cotton rugs on parts of the floor. About 1 month ago I started noticing slight swelling around the base of one of the toilets. I never leave water on the floor, and the toilet does not sweat. What is the next step to figure out what is causing this. I plan on calling the store which installed the flooring even though we have had the flooring for 3 years. We only use the condo 6 months out of the year. My husband thinks the swelling means nothing, but I am really worried about it. We have extra pieces of laminate flooring left from the original installation. What are your thoughts?
Janet
We are pleased that you enjoy our website. Regarding the swelling next to the base on the toilet. It sounds like the was ring under the toilet is no longer providing a watertight seal. When this occurs, some of the water no longer goes directly into the drain and some of it puddles at the base of the toilet. In your situation the water is going under the laminate flooring. You should address this with the plumber or if you or your husband are handy with tools, these rings are usually not that difficult to replace. I would not put it off as the waste water can eventually spread to other areas.
Terry
I had laminate flooring on my basement on concrete for about 6 years without issue. We had a flood and it had to be removed and replaced. Now 2.5 years after replacing (with a different brand), I submitted a warranty claim because a corner chipped off. They tell me there is water damage. I suspect if they are correct that the water damage is a result of a moist concrete floor. Since I had 6 years of laminate without issue, is it possible this was an installation issue? Or is my basement truly more moist than it was previously? Or is this brand just less water “resistant” so to speak?
Another issue, which doesn’t seem like it could be due to water is it looks to have a lot of wear where an office chair rolls around. Could that be blamed on moisture?
Thank you!
The corner chip could be a water issue, only testing can confirm that. If installation related it should have shown up early on. As far as the chair, plastic casters on office chairs can cause premature wear. If the flooring also has a moisture related issue it is quite possible that the casters would damage the flooring easier than they otherwise would.
Last night my sink overflowed onto my pergo max laminate floor I was able to clean the water up within 25 minutes and put a fan in the kitchen to make sure it dried. Will this damage my floor?
It has been 10 days since your sink overflowed. Its difficult to know what damage might be done, it all depends upon how much water got below, what is below and a number of other factors. It usually takes several days before you know if the floor is going to be damaged. If it has becomes damaged you can usually remove a portion of the flooring and replace that section with a matching product.
Hi! We’ve discovered what appears to be water damage to a laminate floor in the kitchen. Apparently, the refrigerator has a leak. The flooring is bubbled up in spots, and there are gaps in some of the edges between the “boards”.
A few questions:
1. How likely is it that water would have damaged the concrete floor? We suspect that the damage is from one or more “defrost” cycles, as there is no water visible on the floor.
2. What type of contractor should we hire to inspect the damage? A structural engineer?
3. The flooring really isn’t suitable for a kitchen, and we are certain it needs to be replaced. So, the question here: is the least expensive laminate flooring sold in sheets? The “seams” between the “boards” are perhaps a millimeter in depth, if that, and it doesn’t look like there’s a possibility of replacing boards.
4. A small area of the top layer has chipped off under the bed casters. From what we’ve read on you site, even casters can damage laminate flooring?
Our last place had relatively inexpensive hardwood floors, even in the kitchen. It’s disappointing to see how non-durable laminate flooring is! đ
Thanks!
1. Water from an appliance or plumbing link should not damage a concrete slab though trapped water will damage most laminate floors.
2. If you think you have an appliance problem you need to have that addressed or regardless of any repairs you make to the floor, the problem will continue. A good flooring contractor can remove the damaged flooring, test the concrete for moisture and install the replacement. If moisture is found to be coming through the concrete or a plumbing leak other than the refrigerator that will need to be addressed before floor replacement. Another option would be to contact a water and smoke damage remediation company which could perform the take up, correction and replacement and help you determine if this something that may be covered by your homeownerâs insurance.
3. You might want to consider replacing the flooring with a luxury vinyl plank or sheet vinyl. These will hold up against water better than most laminate floors. If water gets below vinyl though you will have the same concern with trapped moisture.
4. Regarding casters, the wrong type or a damaged caster can damage laminate floors and many other types of floors. Always make sure the type of caster you are using is suitable for the floor covering it is rolling over.
I’m having my laminate floor replaced a second time because it keeps making teepees at end joints. I have never had a spill and I don’t damp mop. We have not had a spill anywhere…where the water would seep underneath to the laminate flooring either. Our builder is paying to replace the floor rather than the manufacturer because when they removed the flooring, they said it was stained with water damage. How can that be? Flooring was about a year old, installed by the manufacturer, with a plastic barrier under it. The house is two years old.
If your flooring is water stained it had to be installed wet or became wet later on. If you haven’t already done so you need to check for water leaks. When laminate and wood become wet, they will expand and this could be the cause of the end peaking. My guess is that the peaking is not from moisture. If the floor was wet enough to develop end peaks, it should have cupped or buckled across the width. The end peaking you describe, sounds more like the flooring being locked in tight against a fall or other vertical object, or perhaps cabinets built on top of a floating floor.
Just had 1/2 ” of water come into the house from hurricane Ian. Most of the floor looks fine but some curling up a little at the seams and some bubbles near door entrances. Concerned about mold developing underneath even though the floor seems dry. .
With the situation you describe, water gets under a floating floor. You need to tests with a moisture meter to make sure it is dry. It’s recommended that the floor be replaced with a flooding situation.