You’ve just finished installing your beautiful new laminate floor, and after only a few months, you notice that it’s starting to peel. Why does this happen, and how can you fix this?
Laminate flooring peels primarily due to high moisture content, which causes your laminate floor to rise and inevitably peel. A buckled floor may indirectly also cause peeling because it lets moisture enter the flooring. Lastly, if deep enough, scratches similarly cause peeling if left unattended for an extended period.
If your laminate floor starts peeling, it can be really frustrating. Not only does it look bad, but it can also be a safety hazard. On top of that, it might end up costing you quite a lot in the long run. But the good news is, it doesn’t have to end up this. We’ve put together a guide on why laminate floors peel, how to fix them, and even prevent peeling in the future.
Does Laminate Flooring Peel Up?
Even though laminate flooring is considered durable and is typically less expensive than hardwood or tile, one common concern is that laminate flooring does peel up over time. While this can happen, it is usually the result of things that are not only easily avoidable but also fixable.
What Causes Laminate Floor To Peel?
Before we dive into how to fix your deteriorating laminate flooring, it is essential to know the reason why peeling happens in the first place.
- High moisture content
One of the main causes of damage to laminate flooring is high moisture content. One of its most popular features is being waterproof, but it cannot resist water. This is why when the moisture content in the flooring rises and reaches the core, the laminate swells. In most cases high moisture comes from heat and humidity, this is especially the case when your laminate flooring is exposed to heat for a prolonged time.
- Buckled laminate flooring
Have you installed laminate flooring planks without gaps? If yes, you’ll most likely end up with buckled laminate floorings, this is especially the case when you don’t let it settle after installing it. Unfortunately, buckled laminate flooring causes more moisture to enter and ultimately also leads to a peeled laminate floor.
- Scratches on laminate flooring
Unfortunately, laminate flooring is one of those floorings that is considered to be prone to scratches. These could come from children’s toys, moving any heavy furniture, or accidentally dropping a heavy item. Even though scratches are only something you want to avoid seeing, they can actually cause moisture to enter, which inevitably leads to your flooring peeling if left unattended.
How Do You Stop and fix Laminate From Peeling?
If you are hoping to return the peeling laminate flooring in your home to its former glory, you need to act fast. This means that you need to take action the moment it starts to show even the smallest signs of deterioration.
- Using epoxy gum or superglue
One of the best ways to prevent further peeling is something you can do during the initial stages of peeling, and to do this, you’ll need epoxy gum or superglue. Focus on the corners where the flooring is starting to peel off and apply adhesive there. However, make sure that you only use a small amount of glue by squeezing it onto a toothpick or a matchstick. Then, carefully slide it beneath the floor and apply.
- Bringing in a heat gun
Using glue or a heat gun is more or less the same. When you notice that your laminate floors are peeling off, all you need to do is put on some utility gloves and get a heat gun to go. The gloves will save you from any burns and allow you to heat the gun to its optimal level. Once that is done, aim the gun towards the area that is peeling off and give it time to dry up.
Soon after, the temperature will lower, and you will be able to put the heavy objects back where they belong.
Additional ways that may help Fix Peeling Laminate Floors.
Were you unable to detect the early signs of laminate flooring peeling, and now the situation has gotten out of hand? Well, you do not need to worry because you can still take action and fix the problem. Below are several easy and efficient ways to help you fix your peeling laminate floor.
Fixing Scratches
If the main cause for peeling is those hideous scratches, then fixing them is essential. Fixing scratches can be done in several ways, but it ultimately depends on how deep they are.
- Using a wax pencil
If you have minor scratches on your laminate flooring, then one of the ways to fix it is by using a wax pencil. Pick a color that closely matches your floor planks, which you can easily find at any home improvement shop near you. Be sure to use short strokes on the damaged area as you move back and forth. After you are done, take a dry and soft cloth to rub it and buff the edges.
- Using repair putty
If the scratches are significant and show slight signs of hollowness, then you need to bring in a repair putty. Rub the repair putty on the area that has been scratched with the help of a knife. Once done, use the same knife to scrape away any leftover putty and then flatten it.
Give it at least 24 hours to dry and level it. Remember, you should wipe the extra putty away while it is soft. It will stick to the planks and be difficult to remove if it dries up.
Fixing Buckled Laminate Flooring
Fixing buckled laminate flooring might be the most difficult of them all, but it’s also the most damaging. Even though buckling causes significant damage to your laminate flooring, you do not need to fret. This problem can easily be fixed without you having to replace the planks entirely. Follow the steps below and make your life easier.
- Visit your local home improvement store and ask them for tools that will aid you in repairing your buckled laminate flooring planks.
- Next, get rid of the planks surrounding the affected and damaged area.
- Now, remove the buckled flooring.
- Trim the corners of the planks that require expansion space. Then, take a wood filler to fill in the leftover space. You can also mix several wood fillers to ensure the color matches that of your flooring.
- Once you have completed all the steps mentioned above, you can put all your planks back in place, and you will be done!
Remember, you need to keep a space of at least 0.5 or 1 inch between the laminate planks and baseboards. This is because this gap will help cover the expansion of the flooring due to the weather.
If spacers have been used (which is highly recommended), you can also remove the previous ones and replace them with smaller spacers.
Maintaining your laminate floor
Once you’ve gone through all the trouble to fix your peeling laminate flooring, maintaining it will be the best thing to do in order to prevent future peeling.
Maintaining your laminate flooring can be done in several ways
Prevent accumulated dust
One of the simplest ways and probably easiest ways to maintain your laminate floor is to regularly clean it. This, of course, does not mean you need to clean it every day. Just enough to prevent dust from accumulating. Also, make sure to clean it correctly, or else you might end up with a whitish film on your flooring.
Don’t drag or slide heavy items
This goes without saying, but moving heavy furniture is probably the number one cause of scratches and peeling in some cases. If you need to drag heavy items, use something similar to a rug or a doormat to drag them around the room.
FAQs
Can Laminate Floors Dry Out?
Laminate flooring is dense fiberboard and can take more than two whole days to dry out. If left on its own, it can also take up to a couple of weeks to be fully dry. It’s important to know that once dried; laminate flooring will not turn back to its original form.
Can Laminate Flooring Warp?
High moisture content present in the atmosphere can cause the laminate flooring to warp or buckle. In addition, the presence of unnecessary water on the surface of the floor can also result in warping. Thus, it is recommended that you do not mop laminate flooring planks.
How To Prevent Laminate From Peeling?
Several methods can help curb the early damage of laminate flooring and prevent any future deterioration. The use of epoxy gum, super glue, and a heat gun can help you ensure that your planks do not lose their glory and continue to bring out the beauty of your home.
Can Laminate Floors Be Stripped?
Laminate floors can be stripped the same way as wood floors. All you need is a hairdryer, white vinegar, warm water, and a couple of cloth pieces to finish the job.