Many homeowners are drawn to laminate flooring for its affordability, attractive appearance, and long-lasting nature. Unfortunately, even these durable floors can be damaged by water, whether from a malfunctioning appliance, an accidental spill, or unexpected flooding. When water makes its way into laminate boards, it can cause them to warp, buckle, or even fall apart, ruining both their look and function. If you’re wondering how to repair water damage on laminate flooring, there are some situations where you can restore water-damaged laminate to its former glory without having to replace the entire floor.
First Things First: How Bad is the Damage?
Before you roll up your sleeves and start fixing, it’s important to figure out just how extensive the water damage is. A small spill might not be too hard to handle, but when you’re thinking about how to repair water damage on laminate flooring, consider if the water has soaked deep into the planks. In more severe cases, it might be better to replace the full floor rather than attempting patchwork.
Professional floor refinishing services are essential when addressing water damage on hardwood or laminate floors. First, evaluate the extent of the damage. A little spill or some surface moisture isn’t too tricky to deal with. But if water has seeped deep into the cracks and soaked the insides of the planks, you might be facing a more significant challenge. In cases like this, you may need to consider replacing the full floor instead of trying to patch it up.
To get a good idea of the damage, take a close look at the affected area. Keep an eye out for any boards that look warped, twisted, or like they’re coming apart. If only a few planks or a small area are damaged, repairs might be possible. However, if the problem covers a large area or multiple rooms, it might be more cost-effective and practical to replace the entire floor.
Once you’ve assessed the damage, it’s crucial to find and address the source of the water problem. This could be anything from a faulty appliance to a leaky pipe or even a roof that’s letting water in. If you don’t tackle the root cause, you’ll likely keep experiencing water damage, which would make any repairs futile. It might be worth calling in a reputable plumber or builder to help identify and fix the source of the leak.
Getting Ready to Fix Things
Before starting, you need to get all the right tools. Having the correct equipment will make the process of how to repair water damage on laminate flooring easier and more effective.
Key Tools and Materials
- Safety glasses and gloves
- Putty knife or pry bar
- Utility knife or oscillating multi-tool
- Flooring adhesive or construction adhesive
- Replacement laminate planks (matching the existing flooring)
- Replacement underlayment material (if you need it)
- Cleaning solvent or degreaser
- Hammer or rubber mallet
- Measuring tape
- Pliers
- Fans or dehumidifiers
When fixing laminate flooring damaged by water, you need replacement planks that look just like the existing ones. Use leftover planks from when you first installed the floor if you have them. If not, go to your local hardware store or get in touch with the manufacturer to get matching planks. Make sure the new planks come from the same batch or production run to keep color and texture differences small.
Taking Out the Damaged Planks
After you’ve got all the tools and materials you need, you should remove the laminate planks that got damaged.
- Finding the Planks That Got Affected
Start by spotting the boards you need to take out. Sometimes just a couple of boards are in bad shape, but other times, you might have to replace a bigger area. - Taking Out the Boards
Grab a putty knife or pry bar to lift the damaged boards off the subfloor. Take your time and be careful not to hurt the boards around it or the subfloor. If some boards are stuck, you might need to use a utility knife or an oscillating multi-tool to cut through where they lock together. - Checking the Subfloor
After you take out the damaged planks, check the subfloor to see if water has damaged it or mold has grown on it. If the subfloor looks bad, you might need to fix or replace it before you move on to repairing the laminate flooring.
Getting the Subfloor Ready
To install the new planks, you need to make sure the subfloor is clean, dry, and flat.
Clean the subfloor with a solvent or degreaser to get rid of any leftover gunk or dirt. If the subfloor is damp or wet, use fans or dehumidifiers to dry it out. Moisture can make the new planks bend or bubble up, which would undo all your hard work to fix the floor.
If the subfloor isn’t level or has bumps, use a sander or floor leveler to make it smooth and even. This helps the new planks lie flat and blend in with the existing floor.
Installing the Replacement Planks
Now that you’ve prepared the subfloor, you can start to install the replacement laminate planks. Before you begin, let the new planks adjust to the room’s temperature and humidity. This takes one to two days and helps stop the planks from swelling or shrinking after you install them.
If your current flooring was put in using a floating method, you might need to put flooring adhesive or construction glue on the subfloor. Make sure to follow what the maker says about how to apply it and how long to let it dry.
Cut the new planks to the right size and shape with a utility knife or laminate cutter. Make sure the new planks fit tight against the old flooring, without any spaces or parts that stick out.
Most laminate floors have a way to lock the planks together. Do what the maker says to lock the new planks in place. You might need to use a rubber mallet or tapping block to do this.
Finishing Touches
Once you’ve put in the new planks, there are a few last things to do to make sure the fix looks good and lasts a long time.
Put clear silicone sealant or laminate seam sealer where the new planks meet the old floor. This helps stop water from getting in and causing problems later.
Put heavy stuff, like weights or books, on top of the fixed area for a day or two. This helps the new planks stick well to the floor underneath and stay flat.
After you’re done fixing, clean the area well and follow what the maker says about taking care of it. Cleaning often and cleaning up spills or leaks right away will help your fixed laminate floor last longer.
When to Think About Getting New Floors
You can sometimes fix water-damaged laminate floors, but in some cases, replacing them might be a better option. If water has ruined a significant portion of your floor, it may be cheaper and easier to install a new one rather than trying to figure out how to repair water damage on laminate flooring for large areas.
- Big Problems: If water has ruined a lot of your floor or a big part of it, it might cost less and be easier to put in a whole new floor instead of trying to fix it.
- Damage That Keeps Happening: If your floor constantly gets wet due to an ongoing issue, such as a persistent leak or excessive moisture, it’s wise to replace the flooring. Additionally, address the source of the problem to prevent further damage.
- How It Looks: Sometimes even if the damage is local finding planks that match can be tough. When the fixed spot sticks out or ruins the room’s look, replacing the whole floor might work better.
Summary
Once you’ve put in the new planks, there are a few last things to do to make sure the fix looks good and lasts a long time. Put clear silicone sealant or laminate seam sealer where the new planks meet the old floor. This helps stop water from getting in and causing problems later. After the repairs, it’s a good idea to schedule professional refinishing and sanding services. This will ensure a uniform appearance and long-lasting durability, making your floors look as good as new.
Put heavy stuff, like weights or books, on top of the fixed area for a day or two. This helps the new planks stick well to the floor underneath and stay flat. After you’re done fixing, clean the area well and follow what the maker says about taking care of it. Cleaning often and cleaning up spills or leaks right away will help your fixed laminate floor last longer.