Repairing Laminate Floors
From Floor Coverings
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Can anyone repair a laminate floor?
Repairing Laminate Floors is Easy
If you have installed the floors yourself and within a few years and you have some pieces left over, then repairing a laminate floor is very simple. Because the floor is a floating floor, removal of a square or several planks is easy. They may have become sticky over the years but once you can pry them out, then it's all good. Of course, it's going to be a bit easier if the replacement section needs to be in a corner or another accessible area, rather than smack in the middle of the floor. Once you have removed the damaged or stained pieces (and do remove the entire plank not just part of it, then take a close look at the subfloor and any underlayment. If there are any bumps or lumpy bits that have developed, smooth them out and replay the underlayment in particular. If the latter is a sheet of foam then replacement will be easy. Study the exact size of the replacement area and then plot or lay out your laminate pieces (if it's only one piece then everything will be easier). Make sure that you have the pieces laid out so that a tongue will go into a groove, and so on.
How do you Repair Laminate Floors?
Simply remove the old and damaged section and replace with new pieces. If the size of the area is quite large, then it's probably easier to pop out all of the pieces, redo the underlayment as you check on the subfloor condition, and put down a whole new laminate floor. This can be done in just a few hours, unless your room is huge. If you have to replace the entire floor, try and have everything on hand and waiting to be used, as that saves a lot of time and energy. If you are afraid to replace the whole floor and really want to get the damaged section only replaced, then calling in a pro could save you time. They may be able to match the flooring and do the repair very fast and you can be back in action in a very short time.
Repair or Replace – Your Call
Things to consider before making a decision to either repair or replace the entire floor, are -- how big is the area that you need to replace? Do you have some pieces of the old flooring on hand and do they still match the flooring that was laid down a few years ago? Do you want to change the look of the floor anyway? Now would be a good time to make that decision. Do you want to keep the laminate or change to hardwood? Wear and usage patterns change through the years so all of these choices may be a factor in your possible laminate floor repair.
