How to Seal Laminate Flooring Edges With Silicone

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Things You'll Need

  • Vacuum

  • Soft cloth

  • Silicone caulk tube

  • Caulking gun

  • Utility knife

  • Nail (optional)

Caulk the gap between the edge of the flooring and trim.

After installing laminate flooring planks, you may notice tiny gaps around the floor edges, directly below the wall trim. This usually occurs due to uneven floors. Although the underlayment installed below the laminate planks smooth out large inconsistencies in the subfloor; gaps typically appear in the joints between the planks and trim. These gaps cause the floor to appear unfinished around the edges. Caulking the gap seals the variation between the flooring edging and trim, and also prevents moisture from seeping underneath the floor.

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Step 1

Vacuum the line or gap between the flooring edge to remove accumulated dirt and debris. Wipe away residual dust with a soft cloth.

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Step 2

Load the silicone sealant into the caulking gun. Form a 45-degree cut through one end of the tube of silicone caulk using a utility knife. Pierce the seal with the wire poker on the caulking gun or a long nail to form a small opening, slightly smaller than the bead you want to apply.

Step 3

Pull the caulk gun's trigger to bring the silicone caulk to the tip of the tube. Hold the gun at a 45-degree angle and position its tip at one end of the gap between the floor and the wall trim.

Step 4

Press the trigger to release the silicone caulk from the tube and into the gap. Move the tip slowly along the gap so the silicone fills the gap. Avoid sudden jerks, but move your hand slowly and steadily so the silicone caulk that the tube expels form a straight line to cover the gap.

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Step 5

Stop pushing the trigger when you reach the other end of floor section. Run your thumb gently along the caulk line, pushing it lightly to fill the gap. Let the silicone caulk to dry for the time specified on label directions.

Tip

Make a small hole in the silicone caulk tube at first and check how much caulk flows out. Depending on the gap between the floor and trim that you want to seal, leave the hole as it is, or make it slightly larger. Avoid creating a large opening in the beginning.

If the tube of silicone caulk finishes halfway through your sealing process, remove the tube and replace with another one in your gun. Use as many tubes as required to fill the gap, depending on its size.

Wipe excess caulk that drips on the floor or trim quickly with a damp cloth.

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