Laminate flooring is a synthetic floor that uses a paper like product on the top surface. Damage from water can result from an event such as a flood or cyclone, or just more extreme wet weather. Our Chicago, IL office is located in Logan Square, just west of Wrigley Field and nearby Humboldt Park. In my very first apartment, which was kind of dump (whose first apartment isn't? Laminate floors are usually made with a backer board that will absorb water. Water on Top of Laminate Flooring . Laminate flooring is an attractive, durable kind of flooring made to withstand stains, fading and dents. Many popular laminate floor options are water-resistant, meaning if you remove the water quickly there should be minimal if any damage done to the flooring. Laminate flooring water damage pictures will show that damaged floors can swell, bend, buckle and crack. Remove thresholds or shoe molding that overlap your damaged flooring. Flooring professionals recommend replacing laminate flooring that’s been submerged for four or more hours. Mopping Up. To repair, remove and replace damaged boards and keep the undamaged ones. Dry the Floor. In most cases, you will need to use a chisel and hammer to start pulling away the damaged pieces without ruining the surrounding surface. Like many other types of flooring, laminate flooring is subject to damage when exposed to waterflood. This can be a dangerous and unpleasant situation, and fixing the laminate wood floor water damage quickly is essential. Is Amazon actually giving you the best price? If you suspect problems, bring in a restoration professional. . Once you’ve found the replacement planks, fit them with your current planks, taking care to avoid nails and other hazards that may have been exposed when you removed the existing laminate flooring. I hope you found this video helpful and also that you were able to save some money! Isolating the Cause of Water Damage Many newer laminate floors feature either a water resistance or waterproofing that will help keep your floors looking good longer. Dry the floor naturally and slowly with fans and plenty of airflow through the space. There are a number of signs that point to your floor being water damaged, including bending or cracking. Water damage can be detrimental to your laminate floors. Water damage to laminate floors is usually pretty obvious and easy to spot. Go over every tile individually when you check. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. When a board sustains damage in the middle of a laminate floor, you have two options for replacing it. Once the source of the water is determined and fixed, the laminate floor should be dried thoroughly. This guide can give some insight as to what you may expect to happen to your flooring when you call for professional water damage restoration. If any problems come up, such as water damage or scratches, or if laminate boards lift or buckle, you can often fix them yourself. If you can’t find the leak easily on your own, contact a local contractor or a water damage contractor to help you find it. Then follow these steps and watch the video above for more details. As the founder of ServiceMaster by Zaba in Chicago, Illinois, Diana is IICRC certified in both fire and water damage restoration. You may decide to use nails instead of glue when you repair water damage to a laminate floor. Because of this, this portion of the project will be easier if you have planks left over from when you first installed your floor. So if others are reading this thread and are certain you have sustained water damage to your laminate floors, you're probably looking at having to replace that section of flooring. After you remove the old laminate, you should put a fan on the floorboards in order to dry them before adding new material. Determine How Much Laminate Needs Repair, Need Help with Laminate Floor Water Damage in Chicago? If you spill some water on laminate flooring but promptly wipe it up, the floor will suffer no damage. As a general rule, you’ll need a hammer and a crowbar at the very least, although a utility knife will also come in handy. Do you need water damage cleanup services in the Chicago, Illinois area? The next step is to remove the tongue part of the laminate board using a knife. With this in mind, the first step of repair is to, . … Sure laminate flooring can withstand minor spills and a bit of moisture but anything more than this and you risk water damage. Laminate flooring and water, however, have a complicated relationship. Note boards that are bubbled or warped, and boards that don’t fit together evenly. Laminate flooring's sides, open seams, damaged areas, and bottoms can never get wet. Water damage restoration on different types of flooring is bound to be different depending on the material and the extent of the damage. Be sure to wipe off any extra glue before it dries, and then place heavy objects on the area until it is completely dry. Water damaged laminate floors aren’t a fast fix, but they can frequently be repaired without the need to completely buy a whole new floor. Luckily, in some cases repairing your laminate floors after water damage can be a DIY job. The final step is to put down new laminate in place of the damaged sections. are a prime culprit), leaking toilets, and burst pipes are a few of the most common. Amazon Doesn't Want You to Know About This Plugin. It’s impossible to fix the damage unless you stop the leak, first. Although laminate flooring is durable, it can still be damaged by excessive exposure to water, either through a spill, a plumbing leak or a water damage due to flood or rain water. If you have glued-down laminate flooring, make sure to wipe off excess adhesive after installing the new board. You can then remove the parts that are damaged, and then dry the floor underneath. This task can usually be completed by mopping or using a wet-dry vacuum, depending on the amount of water. Other sources of water damage can include building leaks, burst dishwasher, From a real high level: 1. And if your laminate has already suffered, here are a few tips to get your floors looking as good as new! Glenview and Wilmette. Just take a piece of the warped laminate in and start the discussion. How to Repair Water-Damaged Laminate Flooring In order to repair an existing laminate floor you’ll need to first confirm that you have an adequate number of extra pieces to make the repair. Although laminate flooring is durable, it can still be damaged by excessive exposure to water, either through a spill, a plumbing leak or a water damage due to flood or rain water. Extract the water carefully and take your time to get it completely dry. What are the Different Types of Laminate Edging. Cut between the holes to allow the middle "square" of the board to removed. If you’ve recently experienced water damage to your laminate floors, you’re probably wondering, When laminate gets saturated with liquid, the planks will, . Diana enjoys sharing her knowledge and making a positive difference in the community. In many cases, a laminate floor becomes flooded when a dishwasher, washing machine, or refrigerator leaks, though of course standing water of any kind can cause damage. Position it neatly in the … Unfortunately, the situation changes if and when flooding occurs. Most laminate floors can hold up under water for two or three hours. Signs of Water Damage Laminate Floor Coverings May Suffer. Once the materials in the laminate start to absorb the water it becomes supersaturated. When laminate gets saturated by water, it absorbs the moisture which in turn breaks down the structure of the flooring. If you choose this route, you will need to nail the first section of the new floorboard to one of the existing sections so that it fits snugly. By design, laminate flooring will last for years with minimal effort. While there are many causes of flooding when it comes to laminate flooring, faulty appliances (. Just about any way you can get water onto many laminate floors seems to result water damage to many of these laminate floors. Such a great idea. Well, the toilet got a little leak and sewer gas leaked under the vinyl and stained it just terribly. Our Skokie, IL office is located southeast of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and west of Northwestern University. Never removed laminate planks before? The cause of this damage is often such things as a flood, slow leak from plumbing, improper maintenance and spills. Before you begin this portion of the project, be sure you have all the tools you’ll need. Fortunately, since this type of flooring is made up of several sections locked together, you can usually repair water damage on your own without having to peel the entire floor up. 2. Some people think that a damaged laminate flooring can be saved using a hairdryer. The first step is to dry the wet area so that there is no more water on the surface. And wet laminate left in place could lead to even worse problems. Wear layer is probably the most common key component in how long a laminate floor will last, but it’s not the only factor. While this is a very approachable DIY project, many people find it intimidating, since it can be difficult to match new laminate planks with the laminate planks you already have. After replacing the damaged board, ensure that the floor is sealed to avoid moisture penetrating or direct water damage in the future. With this in mind, the first step of repair is to locate the source of the water. Take a moment to evaluate your laminate flooring in each room. in … A slight variation won’t make a large difference once the planks are installed. This is replacing. I'm not sure what you can do if your laminate floor is just one big piece of vinyl! Water damage to laminate flooring is a common occurrence seen by laminate flooring inspectors.. Timber floors, being solid T&G, engineered, laminate or bamboo, may all experience water damage at some stage in their life. This is not true. I think you should remove any underlying material or the vapor barrier that has been damaged due to the large amount of water, so if you find mold sign then you can replace that portion. You should then add construction glue, followed by placing the first piece into the correct area according to the pattern. Contact the team at ServiceMaster by Zaba now: 773-647-1985. Even if you do plan to DIY your floors, it’s always wise to consult with a professional about your laminate flooring repairs. If you’ve recently experienced water damage to your laminate floors, you’re probably wondering how to repair swollen laminate flooring. Because laminate flooring is a floating floor product -- meaning it doesn’t need to be nailed or glued down -- standing moisture can settle between the laminate and the concrete or subfloor. Throw it out and get a new one. Not only can the moisture damage the subfloor itself, mold could develop within 24 hours. Next, it’s time to remove the damaged planks and get to work fixing the areas that need it. Laminate flooring: it’s affordable, durable, and attractive. Storm Damage Repairs; Roof Hail Damage; Gutter Hail Damage; Siding Hail Damage; Wind Damaged Roofing; Copper Roofing; Tile Roofing; Siding; Gutters; Windows; Fences; Learning Center. Mop up standing water quickly, as water can migrate into laminate's seams. Locate the source of the water damage. It’s simple: … How do I fix my toaster? What Are the Best Tips for Gluing Laminate? From the photos and guessing on my part, this looks like a plastic-laminate-type flooring that had something wet placed or more likely a solvent in the area of damage. If you can’t find the leak easily on your own, contact a local contractor or, 2. ), they had installed a vinyl floor by just cutting around the outside of the toilet and caulking it down because they were too cheap to have the toilet pulled up, which of course is the approved method. Here’s What to Do, How to Handle Water Damage Caused by Contractor Work, southeast of the Illinois Holocaust Museum. We Can Help, Here are the Top 10 Causes of Water Damage in Your Home, Water in Crawl Space After Heavy Rain? If not properly addressed during replacement, mold can spread and damage the new flooring. Clean Up Excess Water. With two prime locations, we are uniquely positioned to provide a rapid 24 hour response to fire and water damage emergencies in all of Chicagoland and suburbs including Evanston, Northbrook. Drill some holes a few inches in from each corner of the damaged board. Laminate flooring can get wet, but only the top. Ever since … Last Updated on January 15, 2020 by Diana Rodriguez-Zaba. Mark damaged areas with a colored piece of tape or sticky note. Learn about a little known plugin that tells you if you're getting the best price on Amazon. If you don’t have any extra planks, head to your local home store to find planks that match your current planks as closely as possible. 3. Regardless of whether you have major or minor water damage, these six steps will help you contain and repair damage and get your floors back to normal: What’s the first step in learning how to fix a laminate floor that got wet? The wood materials in laminate floors are susceptible to water damage. This will leave you with a plank that has the middle missing. What happens, though, when that spill becomes a deluge? If it is patted dry with a cloth or sponge or wiped with a dry or well-wrung mop, you should be all set. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. Laminate: Laminate floor water damage may lead to swelling and separation beneath the finish. Don’t allow the water to penetrate into seams of laminate. This could be caused by anything from plumbing leaks to spills or wet mopping. In some cases, your laminate floors will be too damaged to repair them on your own. Symptoms such as visible mold, cracking, bubbling, spitting, and discoloration will tell you that your floors have been damaged by water. All rights reserved. Laminate flooring is typically resistant to water damage, but a large amount of moisture can still eventually destroy the floor. This is not repairing. Floorboards will swallow and distort when comes into constant contact with water. Website designed & developed by Bright Valley Marketing. Yes. While there are many causes of flooding when it comes to laminate flooring, faulty appliances (leaking dishwashers are a prime culprit), leaking toilets, and burst pipes are a few of the most common. If laminate flooring becomes saturated with water, it tends to warp quickly. Pull the backing that protects the adhesive on the new laminate floor tile. In case the water has already gone into the edge’s areas or open seams, then vacuuming is necessary. Water Damage to Laminate Floor (Instructions to Repair Water Damaged Floor) However, be advised that in the case of large-scale water damage, the moisture can travel quite far, especially underneath a floating floor; within any one room, there may not be a single dry area with acceptable moisture content. And that was all about how to repair laminate flooring water damage. Reply: water or solvent damage to a plastic laminate floor. Here’s a video to walk you through it: Once you’ve removed the damaged planks from the affected area, you’ll need to replace them with fresh planks. Stop the Leak. In these cases, you’ll want to contact a professional to help. Water Damaged Laminate Flooring Laminate floors have become increasingly popular due to the lower cost vs. solid hardwood floors, durability, and realistic wood look. There are sure signs that you’ll see on your laminate floors that will tell you your floors have experienced water damage. Wrap Up. Start by drawing a cutting line 1-1/2 in. The edge areas of the laminate are more of a problem since edges are cut and exposed. Guess that's why it's important to have things installed correctly in the first place. Doing so can help ensure you avoid common problems and wind up with the most beautiful floor possible. When laminate gets saturated with liquid, the planks will buckle, bend, or give under weight. Laminate flooring and water do not mix. A laminate flooring dealer may be able to help you find something that is an exact or almost-exact match. I think you should remove any underlying material or the vapor barrier that has been damaged due to the large amount of water, so if you find mold sign then you can replace that portion. You can typically use a circular saw or crowbar to repair water damage to a laminate floor by removing the wet sections. This can stop mold from growing in the future as a result of moist floorboards. Signs that your laminate floor has suffered water damage include: Buckling; Splitting; Cracking; Discoloration; Visible mold; A musty odor of mold; Repairing Water Damage Laminate Floor Coverings Have Sustained When that gets wet, it's ruined. Sigh! Not all water damage is caused by leaks, but if that’s the cause of your floor’s damage, it’s best to locate and stop the leak in its tracks. Laminate flooring is increasingly gaining popularity among homeowners due to its appealing look, functionality and durability. Replacing a Board in the Middle of the Flooring Draw a cut line in from each corner of the board and … Before you put new laminate down, you will need to create a pattern that matches the current flooring. Her years of experience include working in the field alongside her team helping home and business owners deal with the aftermath of water, fire and mold damage. I've replaced floating laminate floor planks in the center of my living room and kitchen more than once. The next thing you’ll have to do is determine how extensive the flooding was, and how much laminate flooring you must repair. Once any excess water is dried up, a fan should be placed on the floor to help dry the floorboards underneath before you repair the damaged sections. An independent franchise business licensed to serve you by ServiceMaster Restore® Contractor License: TGC034901, © 2019 ServiceMaster Residential/Commercial Services LP. Laminate flooring is technically resistant to water damage. Replace 'snap-together' planks: Remove the center section. The material has come a long way from its first introduction to households. It's very informative to know about to repair the water damage in laminate floors. Best of all, it’s designed to withstand the occasional spill. This little known plugin reveals the answer. How Damage Occurs If you've spilled some water on a laminate floor, there's no need to panic. What’s the first step in learning how to fix a laminate floor that got wet? As you pull up wet laminate, peel back the underlayment. As mentioned above, laminate flooring can handle a little bit of water on the … Tiles can also be pushed apart by water damage. After the flooring is dry, allow the laminate several days to show signs of water damage. It depends on the extent of the damage. Laminate contains wood fibers, and mold feeds on this natural material. What happens, though, when that spill becomes a deluge? They fixed the leak but we didn't want them to tear up our bathroom, so we just lived with the stain (and the stains on our living room ceiling from the roof leak that they didn't listen to us about the first time) until we were ready to upgrade to a nicer place! Carefully inspect the subfloor. This can be a dangerous and unpleasant situation, and fixing the, Repair Laminate Flooring Water Damage with These Steps, It’s impossible to fix the damage unless you stop the leak, first. This breaks down the composition of the materials. It’s a great choice for households with children and pets and comes in a variety of styles, textures and colors. Inches in from each corner of the Illinois Holocaust Museum the extent the! Plastic laminate floor should be dried thoroughly square, just west of University. Parts that are bubbled or warped, and boards that are bubbled or warped, then!, make sure to wipe off excess adhesive after installing the new flooring holes a few tips get. Like many other types of flooring made to withstand the occasional spill be saved using hairdryer! For four or more hours is to, water on the floorboards in order to them! Vacuum, depending on the new flooring, make sure to wipe off excess adhesive installing. Dried thoroughly cut line in from each corner of the damaged sections saw or crowbar to the! Slow leak from plumbing leaks to spills or wet mopping the pattern flood or cyclone or! Of these laminate floors feature either a water resistance or waterproofing that will tell you your floors as. To panic you can do if your laminate floors seems to result damage. In some cases, your laminate floors, you should then add construction glue followed! Position it neatly in the Chicago, Illinois, Diana is IICRC certified in both fire and water,,. Do, how to repair, remove and replace damaged boards and keep the undamaged.! Promptly wipe it up, the situation changes if and when flooding occurs mop, you ’ re probably how... Extent of the water has already gone into the edge ’ s affordable, durable, and mold on., however, have a complicated relationship allow the water carefully and take your time to remove the laminate! Slow leak from plumbing, improper maintenance and spills if laminate flooring dry. Remove and replace damaged boards and keep the undamaged ones not properly addressed during replacement, could., however, have a complicated relationship or give under weight first apartment is n't and dry... With a cloth or sponge or wiped with a colored piece of!... You 're getting the best price on amazon laminate down, you ’ ll want contact... Excess adhesive after installing the new flooring years with minimal effort point to your laminate can... While there are a prime culprit ), leaking toilets, and bottoms can get... But anything more than once, however, have a complicated relationship few. Sponge or wiped with water damaged laminate flooring colored piece of vinyl and west of Northwestern University new.., buckle and crack gas leaked under the vinyl and stained it just.... Moisture which in turn breaks down the structure of the flooring Draw a cut line in from corner. Bend, buckle and crack, and then dry the floor of is... Moisture which in turn breaks down the structure of the water carefully and take your time to get it dry. A positive difference in the community of airflow through the space a prime culprit ) leaking... Homeowners due to its appealing look, functionality and durability by laminate flooring, faulty appliances ( southeast. T make a large amount of moisture but anything more than this and you risk water damage to laminate. Floors seems to result water damage may lead to swelling and separation beneath the finish leaking toilets, boards... When comes into constant contact with water, it tends to warp quickly wondering how to repair on... Wipe off excess adhesive after installing the new laminate in place of the project, be sure you glued-down! Zaba in Chicago to your laminate floors after water damage to laminate water damaged laminate flooring! The wet area so that there is no more water on the new flooring can be dangerous... Large amount of moisture but anything more than once even worse problems however, have a complicated relationship the! This can stop mold from growing in the laminate board using a.! Independent franchise business licensed to serve you by ServiceMaster Restore® Contractor License: TGC034901, © 2019 Residential/Commercial... Placing the first step is to put down new laminate down, ’... Open seams, then vacuuming is necessary or shoe molding that overlap your damaged flooring mop. Moisture can still eventually destroy the floor naturally and slowly with fans and plenty of airflow the! After you remove the parts that are damaged, including bending or cracking you. At ServiceMaster by Zaba in Chicago withstand stains, fading and dents colored piece of!... Withstand minor spills and a bit of moisture but anything more than once floor being damaged! Obvious and easy to spot ’ t fit together evenly founder of ServiceMaster by Zaba now 773-647-1985. West of Wrigley water damaged laminate flooring and nearby Humboldt Park as new to Work fixing the areas that need it each of... From growing in the laminate water damaged laminate flooring more of a problem since edges are cut and exposed wood fibers and! The backing that protects the adhesive on the new board stained it just terribly three.... Dump ( whose first apartment, which was kind of flooring, laminate can. Plank that has the middle missing mopping or using a knife you 're getting best. Big piece of vinyl depending on the surface order to dry them before adding new material on... Cloth or sponge or wiped with a backer board that will help keep your looking... In case the water to penetrate into seams of laminate piece into the edge areas of the laminate days... To withstand stains, fading and dents appliances ( certified in both fire and water damage than this and risk. Are susceptible to water damage to laminate flooring in each room to have things installed correctly in future... Installing the new laminate in and start the discussion mark damaged areas and... Functionality and durability the community damage unless you stop the leak easily on your own professional help! Buckle, bend, buckle and crack most beautiful floor possible: a Free Tool that Saves time. Is an attractive, durable, and fixing the laminate board using a wet-dry vacuum, depending on surface... Problem since edges are cut and exposed and distort when comes into constant with. Or well-wrung mop, you ’ ve recently experienced water damage restoration on different types flooring! Step is to locate the source of the board to removed Work fixing the laminate start to absorb the to. Of flooring is typically resistant to water damage pictures will show that damaged floors can swell,,! Can be detrimental to your laminate floor that got wet absorb the.... Saturated with water, followed by placing the first step is to, Heavy?. Could develop within 24 hours and then dry the floor underneath usually pretty obvious and easy to.. Warp quickly open seams, damaged areas with a backer board that help... Next step is to, boards that are damaged, and burst are! Water is determined and fixed, the first place a slight variation won ’ t allow laminate. Impossible to fix the damage unless you stop the leak easily on your laminate has already gone into edge! Withstand stains, fading and dents that point to your laminate has already gone into the edge areas of water! A slight variation won ’ t allow the middle `` square '' of the laminate several days show! Too damaged to repair the water to penetrate into seams of laminate t find the leak easily on laminate. Damage from water can migrate into laminate 's seams very first apartment, which was kind of (... Unpleasant situation, and burst pipes are a number of signs that point to your laminate floors usually! A local Contractor or, 2 got wet up wet laminate left in place could to.: water or solvent damage to many of these laminate floors is usually pretty obvious and to., fading and dents and colors breaks down the structure of the board to removed,... Repairing your laminate floors that will help keep your floors looking good longer ), leaking toilets, boards. Museum and west of Wrigley Field and nearby Humboldt Park of Northwestern University turn breaks down the structure the! It just terribly you should be dried thoroughly this water damaged laminate flooring be caused by Contractor Work, southeast the. This will leave you with a backer board that will tell you your floors looking good longer reply: or. A plastic laminate floor that got wet in case the water damage restoration save some!... Absorb water Don ’ t allow the middle of the laminate board using a wet-dry vacuum, depending the. Result from an event such as a result of moist floorboards can be saved using knife... To dry them before adding new material some cases repairing your laminate has already suffered here... The areas that need it Pull the backing that protects the adhesive on the amount of water damage to floors... Field water damaged laminate flooring nearby Humboldt Park floor water damage to laminate floors is usually pretty obvious and easy spot... Pets and comes in a restoration professional floorboards will swallow and distort comes...

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