Laminate flooring is a popular choice for many households mainly due to its durability, ease of maintenance and relatively low installation costs. However, despite this, laminate can be damaged due to normal wear and tear, dropping heavy objects, overflowing water and other accidental events.
The good news is that you can repair some minor damage to laminate floors yourself and thus avoid expensive replacement of the entire floor. Here are the most common problems you should be prepared for and know how to deal with:
Mechanical damage to the surface
The surface of the laminate can be damaged by cracks, abrasions and scratches due to the movement of furniture, the movement of tools or sharp objects. For minor scratches, you can use a repair pen or laminate wax. For larger damages, you can purchase a repair covering wax in the same shade as your floor to fill in the damaged area.
Laminate peeling
If the corners or edges of the laminate panels peel off over time, you can use laminate adhesive to glue them back in place. Before applying the glue, thoroughly clean the surface of the floor and remove dust and dirt.
Hollow floor
When the laminate comes into contact with excess moisture, the floor can begin to swell. To eliminate this problem, we recommend using a heating foil or a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity in the room. After some time, the floor should return to its original form.
Water damage
If you spill something on a laminate floor and don't dry it quickly, the surface may become wrinkled or the color may begin to fade. In this case, quickly dry the floor with a towel or a vacuum cleaner and prevent further contact with water.
Heat damage
Hot objects such as pots or irons can cause burns and permanent damage to the laminate. We recommend using pads to protect the surface from hot objects. If it is already too late for a preventive measure, try to gently sand the surface.
Dried and dirty spots
When removing stains from laminate floors, use mild cleaning agents and cloths that do not contain aggressive chemicals that could damage the surface.
If the damage seems more serious or you do not know how to repair it, you should consider the help of a professional or laminate manufacturer. Before any repair procedure, do a test on a small and inconspicuous area to ensure that the materials used and the procedure will not cause further damage. With proper care and maintenance, your floor can be as beautiful as new even in a few years.