Laminate flooring is one of the easiest ways to remodel a home. While it is very resilient to daily wear, enough water will eventually ruin your flooring. We look at how to fix a laminate floor that got wet in a flood or leak. From drying to preventing mold, we cover the basics of repairing laminate floor water damage.
Can You Fix Water Damaged Laminate Flooring?
Although there is a risk of swelling and warping, you can fix water-damaged laminate flooring in most cases. The key to saving your flooring is to begin cleanup quickly and dry boards thoroughly. The longer you wait to start cleanup, the more likely the water will ruin your floor.
How Does Water Damage Laminate Flooring?
Water damages laminate flooring by soaking into the layers. Once inside the boards, it causes them to swell and warp. It also weakens the glue that holds them together and they can eventually fall apart. Laminate floorboards typically have four different layers:
- Backing Layer – The backing layer is the bottom-most layer that touches the floor. It acts as both a moisture barrier and helps to balance the board on the floor below.
- Base or Core Layer – On top of the backing is the base or core layer. This forms the main structure of each board. It’s usually made of a composite wood material called high-density fiberboard.
- Design or Image Layer – Next is the design layer, which gives the floorboard its pattern or design. An image is printed on a thin paper or resin layer and glued to the base layer.
- Wear Layer – Finally, the board is coated in several layers of clear resin. This helps protect the board against scratches and everyday wear. It also serves as a moisture barrier to keep out water.
The base layer is most susceptible to water damage. Once the base layer is ruined, replacing the laminate flooring is the only option.
Can You Save Water Damaged Laminate Flooring?
When it comes to whether you can save water damaged laminate flooring, there are three things to consider:
- Amount of Water – The more water you have, the less likely you can save your flooring.
- Amount of Time – The longer laminate floors are wet, the lower the chance that you can save them.
- Source of the Water – You can normally save laminate damaged by clean water from a burst pipe or water tank flood. However, sewage backups or groundwater flooding contain mold and bacteria that pose additional risks.
How Do You Dry Laminate Flooring After Water Damage?
The following steps explain how to dry laminate flooring after water damage like a flood or a major leak. If you only spilled water on your laminate floor, you can just wipe it up with a towel.
- Remove Standing Water – If your laminate floor is still covered with water, you need to remove that first. For less than an inch of water, use a mop or towels to soak it up. For larger amounts of water, use either a pump or a wet-dry vacuum.
- Remove the Flooring – Next, you need to remove all of the floorboards. Pry up the trim, then carefully remove each board. This will make it much easier to dry your laminate flooring.
- Dry Each Floorboard – Then dry the flooring with high-volume fans and dehumidifiers. While you should lift each board up to speed drying, make sure you keep them flat. Otherwise, they can bend or warp which makes reinstalling them more difficult.
- Dry and Clean the Subflooring – While the laminate boards are drying, remove any remaining water from the subflooring. Use towels to soak up excess water, then use fans to thoroughly dry the area. If necessary, clean the subfloor with soap and warm water. Then disinfect with bleach and water to prevent odors and mold.
- Clean and Disinfect the Floorboards – Once the boards are completely dry, wash them with soap and warm water. Dry them with a clean towel before disinfecting them with bleach and water. This will kill mold and help prevent odors. Let them air dry before reinstalling.
- Reinstall Your Floorboards – Next, reinstall your laminate flooring. Depending on the amount of damage, it may be necessary to replace some boards.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wet Laminate Flooring
Here are some of the most common questions we get about how to fix water damaged laminate flooring. If you still have questions or you need help cleaning up the damage, give our restoration specialists a call now.
As long as you remove the flooring and use high-volume fans and dehumidifiers, it should only take 12 to 36 hours to dry laminate flooring. The exact amount of time depends on how many floorboards and the equipment you use.
It could take several days to a week to dry laminate floors using regular house fans. Also, you should never dry wet laminate flooring in place as this could take weeks.
You should always replace wet laminate flooring after a sewage backup due to the risk of mold and bacteria. The same is true if you cannot start cleaning up right away after a flood. Also, you may need to replace some swollen or warped boards as well.
Although wet laminate flooring will eventually dry out, it can take weeks to do so on its own. Not only does this increase the risk of mold, but it’s also likely the floor will start to fall apart too.
It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to grow under wet laminate flooring. However, it could take as little as 12 to 24 hours after a sewage backup or groundwater flooding. Also, the longer you wait to begin cleanup, the greater the chances you will have mold.
The best way to get rid of moisture in laminate flooring is to remove the boards and lay them flat to dry. Position high-volume fans and dehumidifiers for the fastest drying time. Avoid using heat, as this can shrink or warp the boards.
Get Fast Water Removal and Cleanup
Too much water for you to clean up? Our experts can help fast! Call 1-888-992-8371 for a free quote on water damage cleanup and repair.
