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Laminate floors are perhaps the world’s most popular choice of flooring because they are cheap, easy to install, and very hardwearing.
Wooden floors, carpets, and stone flooring are no longer as popular as they once were, mainly because of their price and the maintenance that has to go into them.
With that said, while laminate flooring is a better option than other sorts, it isn’t without its problems. If you’re considering investing in some laminate flooring, you need to educate yourself about these issues.
We will address some of the most common issues people experience with their laminate flooring:
Peaking
Peaking is a very common problem with laminate flooring, usually caused by underlying moisture. When it comes to fixing laminate flooring, this is one of the easiest fixes. Peaking can also be caused by improper installation, uneven subfloor, and a lack of expansion gaps.
The main fix for peaking is re-installation. You can do this yourself or you can hire a professional to do it for you. Before you lay the new laminate flooring, you will need to resolve the cause of the peaking. If it is damp, then you should run a dehumidifier over the exposed concrete for several days.
Slipping
Another common problem experienced by laminate floor owners is slipping. Sometimes, because laminate flooring is so smooth, it can cause people to slip. Laminate flooring does become very slippery when wet. For this reason, you need to ensure that you thoroughly dry your laminate flooring whenever it becomes wet.
Another cause of slipping is when a person is wearing socks on dry laminate flooring. Vigilance is the best way to overcome slipping. You should also advise friends, relatives, and guests to be careful not to slip. You may also want to put down a rug in a high-traffic area.
Damage
Unfortunately, damage to laminate flooring is very common. While laminate flooring is strong, it can still be damaged. Scratching is most common. If a person were to walk around indoors with high heels or to drag furniture, one’s laminate flooring could easily become scratched or chipped.
The solution to scratching is to avoid wearing shoes or dragging furniture around. If you have already got unsightly scratches, then you can fill the chips and scratches with wax that matches the flooring’s color. There are specialist waxes designed for this purpose.
Bubbling
Bubbling is another very common problem, usually caused by spilled liquids. Unfortunately, the resolution for bubbling is often to relay the flooring. The only way to prevent bubbling is to keep moisture off of your laminate floors.
When you are buying laminate flooring, you should buy some extra panels so that if bubbling does occur, you can relay the flooring. This will save you from having to go out and search for the same flooring elsewhere, which could be difficult if you purchased it a long time before. Bubbling is very unsightly and can ruin your laminate flooring’s appearance.
Fading
Fading is also very common. Unfortunately, all laminate flooring fades over time, regardless of how much sunlight it is exposed to. A good way to limit the amount that your flooring fades is to control the amount of sunlight that your floor is exposed to. You can do this by keeping curtains closed, putting up blinds, or installing other window coverings.
You may also want to put down rugs and furniture, to protect your flooring from direct sunlight. These methods should hopefully limit the amount of sunlight your flooring gets but bear in mind that it won’t totally prevent color fading.
Peeling
If you don’t properly install your laminate flooring, it could begin to peel off when you walk over it, brush it, or vacuum it. The solution to this is to apply a strong adhesive when you are initially putting your floorboards down.
You should also never vacuum your laminate flooring because this can cause even the strongest laminate to peel away from the concrete that it’s attached to. You should only ever brush or sweep your laminate. Vacuum cleaners are too intense for ordinary laminate. Regular vacuuming will cause gradual pulling and peeling.
Installation
The best way to prevent laminate flooring problems, as this article clearly shows, is proper installation. Most problems are completely unfixable unless they are surface wear, like scratches and chips. Proper installation is relatively easy and doesn’t require a professional’s help, though it is advised, especially if you have already improperly installed your flooring once before.
Laminate flooring is a great option, particularly if you are on a budget. The problems associated with laminate flooring pale in comparison to problems faced by carpet, hardwood, and granite floor owners. If you have any difficulties with yours, contact a professional for their advice.
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