How to Repair a Water-Damaged Laminate Floor
Though laminate flooring is durable, it can be damaged by excessive exposure to water, either through a spill, a plumbing leak or even excessively wet mopping over time. This damage can show up as discoloration, warping, buckling or the appearance or smell of mold and mildew. An experienced DIYer can make these repairs in an afternoon, with a bit of patience and the proper materials. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Replacement laminate flooring strips
- Circular saw
- Nails or brads
- Small crowbar
- Hand planer
- Hammer
- Thin chisel
- Pencil
Instructions
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Remove Damaged Sections
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1
Use a small crowbar to pull up the damaged floorboards. If it is difficult to establish a starting edge for the crow bar, use a chisel and a hammer to gouge a grip line for the crow bar.
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2
Remove any underlayment material or vapor barrier that has been damaged, or if it shows any signs of mold or mildew. Replace the missing portions.
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3
Design a layout for the replacement boards that mimics those that were removed. Stagger the seaming in keeping with the established pattern. Mark the necessary cuts with a pencil line.
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4
Cut the floorboards along the pencil marks and lay them into position to match the pattern you have designed. Lay the first tongue of the floorboard into place and toenail it into the neighboring floorboard. Repeat this process along the length and width of the replacement area.
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5
Hand plane a bit of the tongue off the final board to place it snugly into the corresponding groove.
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