How to Repair a Crack in Laminate Flooring

Damage to laminate floor boards is not unusual.

Sometimes referred to as a floating floor, laminate flooring offers the look and feel of genuine wood without the cost. Composed of layers of fiber board and melamine, laminate flooring is a synthetic replica of the real thing. The top layer of laminate contains a photographic image of wood, sealed in place with a clear layer of protection. Minor scratches, dings and cracks in laminate flooring are common and require the use of a putty filler to conceal the damage. Does this Spark an idea?

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Solvent-based cleaner
Soft cleaning cloth
Putty filler
Putty knife

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Instructions

- 1
  
  Choose a putty filler that matches your laminate flooring best. Bringing a scrap piece of laminate flooring with you when you make the purchase will help you make the perfect match.
- 2
  
  Apply a solvent-based cleaner to a soft cleaning cloth and rub it over the affected area. Mineral spirits and denatured alcohol are both solvents that prepare the surface of the laminate flooring for repair. Some putty manufacturers prefer a certain type of solvent for this purpose, so check the label beforehand.
- 3
  
  Squeeze a dollop of laminate floor putty filler onto a piece of cardboard. Scoop a small amount of the putty filler onto the putty knife provided by the manufacturer.
- 4
  
  Use the edge and bottom of the putty knife to press the putty filler into the crack. Run the putty knife over the crack several times to smooth the putty filler.
- 5
  
  Remove excess putty filler from the laminate flooring using a soft cloth dampened with cleaning solvent. Rub the damp cloth over and around the repaired area, rendering the repaired crack unnoticeable.
- 6
  
  Wait approximately two hours before walking over the repaired area of laminate flooring. Most putty fillers harden within two hours and completely cure within six to eight hours.

Tips & Warnings

A crack that is so large that it hinders the floor board’s ability to lie flat requires replacement of the floor board.
Sometimes a second application is of putty filler is necessary. Wait two hours before applying a second layer of putty filler.
Do not use any other object besides the putty knife provided by the manufacturer to apply the putty filler.