If you are a fan of wood flooring but are conscious of your budget, laminate flooring is the right one for you! Aside from being durable, you could still get the look of solid wooden boards or stones without spending much. However, it is important that you know some simple steps on how to fix laminate floor water damage for it is prone t it.

Laminate flooring is often resistant to scratches, chips, and dents but it’s not as water-resistant as vinyl flooring. Thus, it is not exempted from water damage. Though it can withstand occasional spills, water that sits long enough will eventually damage your flooring.

Laminate floor water damage can often bring hidden dangers to your home. Moreover, ignoring it will make your elegant wood-looking floor deteriorate over time and can pose a threat to your health. Learn how to fix laminate floor water damage with our tips below.

Ways Water Damage Can Ruin Laminate Flooring

Here are some ways on how we can get laminate floor water damage:

• Spills
• Flooding
• Appliance leaks such as from dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators
• Plumbing leaks
• Pet urine
• Water damage from the concrete

Laminate Floor Water Damage: Signs to Watch Out For 

In order to prevent laminate floor water damage, we must be familiar with its common signs. Here a re some of it:

• Bubbling
• Splitting
• Cupping
• Buckling
• Cracking
• Excessive cupping
• Mold
• Discoloration

Tips on How to Fix Laminate Floor Water Damage

Step 1: Find the Source and Stop the Leaks

Standing water and soaking up your laminate flooring for a period of time can cause significant damage. Check where the leak is coming from. Check water appliances that are near the damaged boards.

In addition, check the toilet and the pipes underneath the flooring. Stop the leaks and turn off the main water valve. However, if you can’t find the leak, get help from a professional.

Step 2: Prepare All the Things You Need 

Before you begin the repair, get all the things you need such as:

• Safety glasses/goggles
• Putty knife / Utility knife
• Pliers
• Hammer
• Flooring adhesive
• Cleaning Solvent
• Measuring tape
• Replacement underlayment material
• New laminate boards or planks (make sure that they have the same design as the old planks already installed on your floor)

Step 3: Get rid of the Damaged Planks 

You can now start to remove the damaged planks. Ensure that you have already marked or identified all of the damaged areas and that you already have the replacement planks before removing them.

Pull the damaged planks carefully by using the putty knife on the damaged edges. Even if it is a small part only, you need to remove the whole plank. Because in the long run, it will just get worse if you leave it there and might affect other planks. To remove the whole plank so as to expose the floor beneath.

You can check the bare floor and if you see signs of mold, clean it first. Then start the installation of new planks.

Step 4: Time to Replace the Damaged Planks 

Make sure that you have the same design for the laminate planks. You don’t have to worry about the replacement if you’ve bought extra planks during the installation of your laminate flooring. Unfortunately, the problem is that if you don’t have extras and you’re having a hard time searching for the same design. You can choose a design that is closest to your floor’s design or totally change the laminate flooring.

Step 5: Install the New Planks 

Make sure that the bare flooring is clean before you start the installation. See if the replacement planks would fit perfectly on the bare floors. Get some adhesive and begin putting in the laminate planks. Finally, place a heavy object on the new laminate and let it stay there for several hours until the adhesive dries up.

Contact Us For Water Damage Restoration Services

Fixing a water-damaged laminate floor or any type of flooring can be time-consuming and overwhelming. If you are not sure on how to do it properly, get professional advice from Superior Restoration. We have the right training and modern equipment to repair laminate floor water damage fast.

Please don’t hesitate to call us today, Water Damage Irvine. We are always ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We also provide mold removal and remediation services as well as fire damage restoration services.