How to Prevent & Repair Water Damage to Laminate Flooring

The popularity of laminate flooring has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. It’s easy to clean and maintain, affordable, looks great and is scratch-resistant. Though a laminate floor can handle a little bit of water on the surface, it can become damaged if the water sits for too long. Its boards will begin to swell, cup, crown, buckle, split, or crack.

Tips to Prevent Water Damage to Your Laminate Flooring

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Instead of waiting for your laminate flooring to sustain damage and then take steps to fix it, why not prevent it in the first place? Follow these tips from Sonoma flooring contractors, Rugworks, to protect your laminate floor.

Keep It Away From Wet Areas

Avoid installing laminate floors in your bathroom, kitchen, basement, laundry room, or any other area that gets wet constantly. If this is unavoidable, cut the underlayment up against the wall two inches. Post installation, cut the underlayment down with a utility knife.

Fill the laminate expansion areas and make sure your floor has a perimeter zone around its edges. Fill the perimeter with silicone caulk. When installing laminate flooring in your bathroom, remove the toilet first, install the floor and then re-install your toilet. Leave some expansion area between the flange and laminate.

Maintain Household Appliances

Periodically check your household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers to ensure they’re working properly and not leaking water. Check behind toilets, around water heaters, and under sinks for any signs of water damage.

Wipe Up Spills As Soon As They Occur 

The longer you allow a spill to sit on your floor, the harder it will be to get rid of. Cleaning up different types of spills as soon as they occur will prevent any further damage and keep your laminate floor looking its best.

Tips to Repair Water Damage to a Laminate Floor

Despite precautions, your laminate floor can sustain water damage. Water damage is not the end of the world. If you move swiftly, you can prevent serious damage. If your floor has been damaged by water, follow these tips to prevent things from getting worse.

Locate the Source of Water Damage

If a leak is causing water damage, it is imperative that you locate and fix it as soon as possible. Check your toilet, pipes, and appliances for leaks. For major leaks, reach out to a plumber for help.

Have Extra Boards On Hand

Laminate flooring consists of planks. If your floor planks get water damaged, replace them. Have extra boards on hand so you can replace damaged boards immediately. Check the subfloor to make sure it is dry before installation. If you do not have extra boards or do not know what color your flooring is, consult laminate flooring contractor near you. Rugworks is a leading flooring company in Sonoma. We can help you choose the right flooring option for your home, install, and maintain it. To learn more, call (707) 935-0648.