How to fix a bloated laminate
Practice shows that laminate, like other wooden materials, can swell. Such an effect can be caused by water penetration into the inner layers of the flooring, poor quality laminate or improper installation.
The overwhelming majority of people believe that the only correct way to fix a swollen laminate is to dismantle the damaged coating and then replace it. But at once we note that such radical actions are needed only in exceptional cases. Usually, you can repair the defect simply by replacing the damaged panels. Having correctly identified the cause of bloating, you can quickly and without cost extra eliminate it.
Causes of swelling of edges and joints
If the laminate is swollen around the edges and joints, the reason for this may be the poor quality of the material, the absence of a gap between the floor and the wall, or the moisture that has penetrated between the joints of the panels. What to do in this case?
Of course, if the floor is severely damaged by water, then you will have to resort to a cardinal replacement of the floor, otherwise laminate can be saved. For example, if only a few boards were damaged, then they just have to be removed and replaced with new ones. This type of laminate repair is inexpensive, as you only have to purchase lamellae, maybe one or two packs. It is even possible that when you lay the laminate you still have extra pieces or even packs of boards. If they are stored in a dry place and preserved in their original form, then use them as a replacement.
What if water
If in the process of inspecting the laminate you realized that the cause of the swelling was water, then to begin with, carefully remove the swollen parts of the coating. Then carefully examine the damaged areas. Wipe leaked water if necessary. Replace underlay floor.
This may be enough if you quickly discovered the problem and started to eliminate it. But if nothing can be done, due to the fact that there was too much water on the laminate flooring, the coating should be simply removed. Before you repair the floor, you need to dry the base of the floor and only then install a new flooring.
Laminate can permanently change shape only in some places. And in such cases, it is quite possible to manage the replacement of only damaged boards. Perhaps you will agree that partial replacement of panels will cost much less than complete dismantling of the floor and reinstalling the floor.
Deformation due to improper installation
If the laminate is deformed due to its poor installation, then you need to make corrective work. First, dismantle the baseboard, then inspect the laminate, find the places in which it rests against the wall. The protrusions of the laminate should be trimmed so that a gap of approximately 20 mm is formed between the wall and the floor. Usually the laminate after adjustment falls flat and no longer deforms. Of course, corrective work will take time and effort from you, but the result is worth it!
Note! The problem of deformation can also be provoked by heating pipes coming out from under the floor. The fact is that the distance to them should be the same as the gap between the laminate and the wall. In addition, the door lock, as in fact, and other objects can not be fixed to the laminate. Otherwise, it will be deformed. How to be? Before laying the lamella, cut a hole in it, and install the clamp on the floor screed.
Forewarned is forearmed!
To avoid repairing the floor covering, you should warn possible deformations. If, for example, you decide to make a laminate floor in a bathroom, then, of course, you cannot buy cheap material for this. Laminate in the bathroom must be waterproof. Such material will not deteriorate, even if the spilled water is not wiped for several hours.
Probably, you have heard the proverb: “A miser pays twice,” and so, in order to avoid such wise spending of finances, it is better to give preference to laminate 33 classes. This coating will not need to be adjusted, and the water is not terrible for it!
In addition, specially designed laminate wax can be used as a protective agent. It protects the inside from moisture penetration. Such impregnation will protect the laminate from swelling. After you have cleaned the surface of stains and dust, apply a very thin layer of the product onto the seams between the lamellae, using a trowel for this purpose. Then the floor must be polished. You can of course use a monodisc polishing machine for this, but it is easier to do it manually with an absorbent cloth. The wax should remain only at the joints of the laminate and in the cracks, if any. Repeat the polishing 4 hours after applying the first coat. You will not be able to walk another 10 hours on the floor after you apply a second layer of wax. All work is important to perform in a special respirator. Ventilate the room well, because wax from evaporation can be harmful to health.
Have you repaired the laminate? Which of the above tips are useful to you? If you have your own developed technique, then share with us the skills! Maybe you can help someone save on laminate repairs!