What to do if the laminate has risen - we solve the problem. What to do if the laminate is very wet? If the laminate is flooded what can be done

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No one is immune from trouble in the form of a flood in an apartment. And if it comes - trouble, a lot of questions immediately arise about whether it is possible to save the laminate after flooding, what to do with electrical wiring and a stretch ceiling.

Well, since this article is about how to dry a laminate, below are simple tips on what to do if the laminate gets wet after flooding and how it can be dried effectively.

The question to this rhetorical question is simple - maybe! However, everything largely depends on what the laminate lies on - a concrete base or on a wooden floor. And if the laminate is flooded, then first of all you need to create normal air circulation in the apartment.

Next, you need to act depending on the material from which the subfloor is made under the laminate. So, for example, if the laminate is laid on a wooden floor, the design of which implies the presence of a log, then the restoration of the laminate is possible without dismantling it.

Most likely, the water will soon go completely into the floor, and the substrate under the laminate will not suffer much. By the way, if we talk about the substrate, then its appearance in this case plays a rather large role. Laminate will dry much faster if there is a cork or other non-continuous underlay under it.

Things are a little different with solid roll substrates for laminate, since the water simply has nowhere to go. The same applies to the concrete base, if it is on it that the flooded laminate is laid.

In this case, unfortunately, one cannot do without complete or partial disassembly of the laminate. The fact is that, as mentioned above, water on a concrete base simply has nowhere to go. Of course, some of it may be absorbed by concrete, but even in this case, the drying of the laminate will take a very long time, which threatens to damage it.

Therefore, in order to avoid critical damage to the laminate, you should still disassemble it and dry the concrete base and the substrate under the laminate.

Dismantling the laminate to dry it is as follows:

First, the room that has been flooded is freed from furniture and other interfering objects.
Then they are dismantled completely or partially, depending on the degree of wetting of the laminate, thresholds and skirting boards near the walls.
Next, the laminate is dismantled with the obligatory numbering of the panels - where and in what places they were laid.
The concrete base is dried and, if necessary, the substrate is replaced and a new laying of the laminate is performed.

Sometimes in our homes there is a disaster - the flooding of the premises. It is one thing if there is no final finish yet, another when the repair has already been done.

If the instructions below do not help you and the flooring needs to be partially replaced, please contact us - we will be happy to help.

Actions on a laminate or parquet board (as well as other options for interlocking coatings) depend on the base on which they are laid and the amount of water received.

Base - floor on logs

If the floor structure consists of wooden or other logs, the amount of water is not very large (2-4 buckets) and the bottom is not primed concrete base - that is, there are good chances to dry the laminate or parquet board without dismantling. This is a variant of a panel house with a "raised" floor, where the old floor and logs were not removed, and the laminate / parquet board was laid on top of the old coating.

In this case, the water is highly likely to go down, soak into the concrete (previously it was not primed with waterproofing compounds, so the concrete will quickly take the water). Or the water will go lower - to the neighbors.

As a result, the flooring will suffer little, the likelihood of mold is also small.

By the way, in this case there is an obvious advantage for "discontinuous" substrates (cork or sheet) - unlike a continuous roll, they will not keep water in close proximity to the board for a long time.

Foundation - concrete floor

With almost any other options, "low costs" will not be enough. Most of the technical solutions for floor installation (rough and final leveling of concrete; plywood for glue and / or self-tapping screws, sheets of "dry" construction, etc.) will require the dismantling of the laminate / parquet board.

What are the consequences of a leak?

Floor boards warp
- gaps appear between the boards,
- if the gaps do not allow expansion, then the entire canvas rises in waves,
- individual lamellas can be peeled off (for 2/3-strip parquet boards)
- The edges of the laminate boards will begin to bulge (this will practically not go away after drying)
Hydrophobic parts of the base are deformed (plywood, sheets of "dry" construction)
If excess moisture is not removed, mold may appear (most likely the floor is treated with a waterproofing primer that does not allow concrete to absorb water)

You can't do without dismantling the floor covering:

First you need to prepare the room - take out all the furniture that interferes with further work, release the coating
Then, you need to remove the baseboards and sills
After that, you need to carefully disassemble the floor covering.
Each row must be numbered on the back with a pencil. You can do this only for boards cut in a row, because. integers are suitable for any row
Store boards in a dry place
Get rid of the remaining moisture on the boards and the base (floor) as much as possible
Between the rows, it is desirable to lay strips of corrugated cardboard (from cardboard boxes) at intervals of 30-50 cm. They will give an air gap for drying. The strips must be changed every other day (once), because. they will accumulate moisture and give it back to the boards./li>
Leave the base (floor) to dry

Tips:

It is better to disassemble a laminate or parquet board from the edge that was last when laying, but this is not important.
It is better to store boards in one or two piles. Laminate or parquet boards should be pressed down as much as possible by the weight of the stack, or by additional weighting agents. You can tighten the boards in three places with ropes / straps (by placing cardboard inserts so as not to damage the boards). This minimizes their buckling as they dry.
Drying of the room and material depends on the scale of flooding - the more water, the longer it takes to dry the laminate or parquet board. From two days to two weeks (with a large amount of water and no heating)
The probability of reusing the entire volume of the affected material is extremely small. At best, 30% will have to be replaced.

If the manipulations listed above are difficult for you, contact our company and the master will perform all the necessary steps!

Laminate flooring is an excellent choice for the home, combining both aesthetic qualities and ease of use. Laminate has a huge selection of colors, shades and textures. And installation is relatively simple and takes a little time. However, there may be problems that lead to bloating.

Why can laminate flooring swell?

Like any other flooring, laminate under the influence of certain factors is able to deform. The main reasons for the swelling of the laminated coating are errors during the installation process, the ingress and long-term retention of liquid under the floor, and the quality of the product itself. That's why First, it is important to clearly define the nature of the defect.

Errors during installation

The reasons may be:

No expansion gap. The composition of the laminate includes natural wood raw materials, which is able to expand and contract depending on the ambient temperature and humidity. Under the influence of moisture, the laminate expands and abuts against the wall, as a result, individual planks rise from the pressure and take on a characteristic wave-like appearance.
High residual moisture content of the substrate. Each type of base has its own rate of residual moisture: 4% - floor slabs, 5% - cement-sand screeds, 12% - wooden, plywood or chipboard base.
Substrate too thick. Quite often, in order to save money, a substrate rolled up in several layers is used to level the floor. Because of this, the floor seems to spring underfoot, and the joints of the locks begin to creak, stagger, crumble and eventually break.

Fluid entry and retention

This includes:

Liquid penetration into the joint area. At the same time, it is worth remembering that the laminate can also deteriorate from an ordinary spilled mug of tea or coffee. It is important to quickly collect the liquid with a rag. If the contact was prolonged, then the appearance of defects is inevitable. Externally, the defects are uneven, localized and resemble a tumor. That is why it is necessary to carry out timely prevention and apply a special water-repellent polish or wax to the laminate.
Increasing the relative humidity of the air. The standard coating is able to perfectly exist at a relative humidity of 40% - 60%. However, if this indicator is higher, then it is necessary to choose a more stable material with a plate density of at least 800 kg / m3, a liquid absorption coefficient of no more than 7% and use special water-repellent compositions during operation.

Poor quality laminate

This includes:

Low density of load-bearing boards, up to a maximum of 700 kg/m3. To check the material, you can try to bend it and scratch the junction of the lock. A good slab, when felt, is distinguished by its density and strength. Structurally, it is homogeneous, does not spring and does not break under physical influence, for example, by pressing with a finger.
Weak protective coating, which is easily removed, prone to scratches and other damage. The surest way to check is to put the bar on the floor and walk on it, you can jump a little. After carefully inspect the protective layer. If it remains intact, then the laminate will be resistant to stress and physical impact, and will also last for many years.
Poor quality locks. It is necessary to connect two strips, normally they should connect with a characteristic click and with additional effort. If the joints are too soft or uneven, then they are very easy to hold together and just as easily fall apart.

If the seam or joint between the panels is swollen, then the following reasons are assumed:

incorrectly selected substrate thickness;
poor-quality installation, as a result of which the seam turned out to be too wide, and the connection itself does not fit tightly;
poor quality laminate;
use when laying two different types of laminate that do not match each other in thickness;
trapped liquid.

Causes of undulating swelling:

temperature effect on the coating, no expansion joint;
docking strips are attached too tightly to the panel, leaving no additional space.

Swelling and deformation of the seam between the panels may indicate the presence or ingress of excess moisture. This can also happen if, during wet cleaning, the rag was not squeezed out enough, and liquid accumulated in the joint area.

The reason may be a thick substrate and the poor quality of the material itself.

Troubleshooting

It is possible to fix the coating without disassembly and conventional restoration, however, sometimes replacement of the planks cannot be avoided. It all depends on the quality of the flooring itself.

Missing expansion joints can be cut out yourself with an electric jigsaw. Correctly made gaps should be completely closed by the floor plinth. Necessary:

dismantle the floor plinth;
determine the areas that abut against the wall;
trimmings, leaving gaps of approximately 20 mm, taking into account the width of the plinth.

If the reason was the residual moisture of the base, then the laminate will have to be disassembled. This is necessary in order to further dry it in a dry, well-ventilated area. After drying, simply collect it back. However, the connections of the locks tend to stretch, so when removing all the strips, it is better to number them in order to assemble them in the order in which they came originally.

Unfortunately, an incorrectly made backing ensures that the locks are already broken. This means that the damaged area will have to be dismantled and replaced with new planks and a new bedding layer. It is better to buy additional slats from the same batch. The best solution would be to completely change the substrate, because defects can form again, but in other places.

If the laminate gets wet, it must be thoroughly dried. It is necessary to remove the panel and wait for complete drying, if after drying the defect has not disappeared, then we replace the panels. Urgently, the place of water ingress can be “ironed” with a hot iron, but this method belongs to the folk and does not guarantee a positive result. Modern laminate involves partial removal of panels without having to parse the entire row. High-quality material during this time is able to return to its original appearance and stand in place.

If the volume of liquid was large, then it is more advisable to raise the bars and check for the presence of liquid under the floor. It is important to dry not only the lamellas, but also the substrate, and then reassemble the floor. Often these actions are enough to save the coverage.

If a lot of time has passed since the flood and the defect persists, then a replacement is necessary.

It is much easier to avoid defects than to fix them. Bloat prevention:

If the owner wants to install the laminate on his own, before that it is better to consult with experts and watch video tutorials in order to avoid common mistakes.
If craftsmen are hired, it is necessary to get acquainted with the reviews of the work done, the term of the proposed work, and experience in the field of construction.
Don't skimp on the quality of the material. A good laminate is easier to install and will last much longer during use. The most expensive models are able to stay in the water for up to two hours without harm to themselves.
Be sure to use protective wax and polish. Water protection is a must in bathrooms and kitchens.

Waterproofing compositions and devices:

glue. You can buy it immediately when buying a laminate. It is better to additionally glue the seams of the locks for additional protection. This must be done quickly and without delay, as modern glue dries very quickly;
wax based impregnation. It is necessary to wipe all the joints with it on the front side and use a sponge or brush to process the entire floor. Excess is easily removed with a dry cloth. This will serve as protection during wet cleaning or in case of accidental contact with a small amount of liquid;
sealant. We process the seams from the inside of the floor, the excess is immediately removed with a dry cloth;
film. Correctly and evenly glued protective film will protect the floor from moisture. Fasten it from the front side;
wax treatment. It is carried out twice, the second time after the first layer has dried. Waxing the floor should be done 10 hours after sanding the floor.

Laminate harmoniously combines excellent performance and decorative qualities. Installation speed, practicality, a wide selection of textures and colors are the main advantages over other flooring options. Despite the ease of care for the material, surface deformation may occur, so it is important to know what to do if the laminate is swollen from water, how to fix such a nuisance.

Correct determination of the cause of damage will help to carry out repairs and eliminate defects in a timely manner. The main factors, the impact of which leads to the swelling of the laminate, are:

violation of installation rules - laying elements implies the presence of gaps. The size of the compensation distance from the lamellas to the wall depends on the area of the room and is 8-12 mm. The need for gaps is based on the content of natural wood raw materials in the material, which is subject to contraction or expansion under the influence of moisture or temperature changes;
the influence of water - in the case of immediate removal of moisture from the web and drying, severe damage does not form. Only with prolonged exposure to moisture can swelling of the surface be formed. Subsequently, swollen lamellae will need to be partially or completely replaced;
low quality of the material - cheap products do not have a protective coating, therefore, with any mechanical damage, the level of operational properties decreases. Economical options are short-lived and will soon require a complete replacement of the coating;
the presence of moldings - the impossibility of expanding the material due to the installed fasteners between the lamellas and the base can cause deformation. An exclusively floating installation method should be used, allowing the web to freely narrow or expand;
wrong base - a poor-quality base, made in violation of technology, can cause severe deformation. Such a defect is eliminated only by a complete replacement of the substrate and dismantling of the upper web. It is recommended to perform a thorough treatment of the seams with a special sealant.

Wrong styling

Bloating at the joints

What happens to the laminate with prolonged contact with moisture

Possible defects

You can avoid unpleasant manifestations in the form of swelling, deformation of the joints, the formation of waves by following the basic rules and advice. High-quality products from trusted manufacturers are more resistant to mechanical, temperature and moisture influences. It is important to adhere to certain rules for the operation of the canvas in accordance with the class of the laminate.

A reliable waterproofing layer and a properly made substrate will protect the surface from swelling.

The adhesive laying method is widely used, while maintaining the original appearance of the seams. Proper maintenance will also extend the life of your flooring. Systematic treatment with special means will protect against the harmful effects of moisture. Swollen laminate at the joints, seams, the appearance of waves can be the result of: violations of the rules for care, poor quality of the base of the lamellas, improperly selected substrate.
Swelling at the joints of the boards

Deformation of lamellas at the joints

Increased dampness in the room and excess water during cleaning can cause swelling at the seams of the laminate - the places most exposed to moisture. Carefully wring out the rag when washing and avoid splashing on the canvas.

The high quality of the board on the inside of the laminate ensures long-term operation, while maintaining an attractive surface appearance. When choosing a material, it is important to pay special attention to the density of HDF boards. The substrate of the laminate sheet must match the thickness of the lamellae. The thickness of the boards up to 12 mm should correspond to the performance of the substrate of about 3 mm. In the case of laying elements with a thickness of 7 mm - the substrate should not exceed 2 mm. Dense materials will require the use of polystyrene, fiberboard or natural cork.

The formation of "waves"

Deformations in the form of waves most often occur due to the lack of distance between the canvas and the walls, they are eliminated by forming a special gap for the free expansion of the material. The end lamellas are neatly trimmed. The process begins with the dismantling of the plinth. Next, marks are made on the elements for trimming. The protruding segments are removed using cutting tools for woodworking.

The plinth should completely hide the expansion gap, providing a decorative coating.

It is important first of all to determine the cause of the deformation, because if the laminate is swollen, only finding out the contributing factor will tell you how to fix the surface. Sometimes even improper installation of the door latch can adversely affect the evenness of the door leaf. Experts do not recommend installing it on laminated elements. Fasteners are best installed on the floor screed, through the hole in the lamellas. It is also important to remember the need for gaps between the floor sheet and the heating pipes.

Basic Troubleshooting Methods

There are generally accepted ways to repair laminate damage. If the laying of the laminate was carried out by a professional team of workers and problems with the surface began during the warranty period, then you should contact the company that carried out the work, where you are required to provide monetary compensation or send workers to correct the defects.

If the laying technology has been violated, then the swelling of the coating can be corrected independently. To do this, you need to find a place where the material fits snugly against the wall and cut the laminate there by about 1-2 cm. You can install the cut lamella after the material is leveled.
Trimming laminate without dismantling

If the cause of the deformation is water, then you will need to perform the following steps:

the damaged board is removed, after which the lamellas in contact with it should take their original shape;
the liquid under the removed lamella is wiped off;
the deformed lamella is replaced.

The board is carefully removed to remove the accumulated liquid under it.

Installation of a new lamella

In addition to replacing deformed parts, you will need to remove the remaining moisture under the canvas. First of all, the plinth is carefully dismantled from the side of the swollen area. Next, the floor covering is disassembled to the point of damage. The substrate is thoroughly dried and the floor is laid again. Deformed lamellas are replaced with new elements.

In some cases, it is quite difficult to find boards with a similar pattern, color and texture. You can use the details of the coating hidden under the furniture. In the future, when installing and calculating a new coating, several lamellas should be left in stock. Inexpensive laminate options are more prone to deformation and will require a complete replacement. High-quality canvases can return to their normal state after complete drying.

Water protection

Laminate can swell for various reasons, but the main factor in the appearance of deformation is the negative effect of water. A reliable protection against moisture can be the treatment of a laminate floor with a wax composition. Impregnation will protect the inner and outer surfaces from the likelihood of swelling with an accidental influx of water.

The procedure for processing the seams between the elements of the canvas is carried out only after a thorough cleaning of the surface from dust and various contaminants. The coating must be not only clean, but also dry. A special tool is applied carefully, with a spatula.

Waxing

After finishing the application of the protective layer, the surface is polished. The action can be performed using improvised means, or special polishing equipment. The main purpose of polishing is to remove wax from the surface of the lamellas. It is important that the agent remains only in the area of \u200b\u200bthe seams, or small cracks.

Waxing is done twice. Re-treatment is performed after the complete drying of the first layer. Wax products are toxic, so work should be done in a well-ventilated area, observing all precautions using a respiratory mask. It is recommended to operate the coating after at least 10 hours after the grinding procedure.

You can also use a special polish that creates a protective film on the surface of the laminate. These methods will not get rid of the deformation of the coating with abundant moisture, but will avoid negative consequences in case of accidental spillage of water during wet cleaning.
Treatment of cracks and seams

Laminate care instructions

The main condition for high-quality and long-term operation of a laminate floor is systematic and competent surface care. Timely removal of dirt and moisture will help maintain the aesthetics and attractive appearance of the coating. Dry cleaning involves collecting large debris by hand and cleaning the canvas using a broom. Laminate floors should not be washed more than twice a week. Wet cleaning should be done with extreme care to avoid any damage.

exclusion of products based on ammonia and abrasives;
infrequent use of detergents;
elimination of moisture, acidic, hot liquids without delay;
avoid mechanical influences.

Small scratches can reduce the performance of the material, allowing moisture to penetrate into the base of the lamellas. It is recommended to treat damage with a special wax pencil, which will protect the elements from further destruction. Elimination of stains, complex pollution should be carried out exclusively in strict accordance with the proven recommendations of specialists. Now you know if the laminate is swollen how to fix this misunderstanding.

Video about bloating laminate from water

The video shows what happens to the laminate panels during prolonged contact with water.

Much cheaper than a parquet board, but it looks no less chic and expensive. An inattentive person will not immediately guess that your floor is not made of bog oak, but of artificial budget material. But, despite its extraordinary versatility, laminate also has some features and is not immune to possible swelling.

Possible reasons why the laminate is swollen

Several reasons can lead to this problem - sometimes the installers are to blame, who in a hurry made miscalculations and marriage, and sometimes the reason lies in the poorest quality products. The fact is that it is always necessary to ensure when laying the minimum required gaps between the tiles of the laminate. A very tight docking of planks, especially when moisture gets on them, which people do not always remove from the surface in time, leads to undesirable consequences. In any case, the installers left and “the train has already left”, and the owner of the apartment is now interested in another question, what to do if the laminate is swollen at the joints or elsewhere?

How to fix damage when the laminate is swollen?

If the laminate is swollen not from spilled water, but a problem with poor-quality installation, then a little trimming of the boards will help here. First of all, you need to remove the plinth, and then mark with something those places where our floor material rests against the wall. Having removed the laminate, we cut the planks to provide a gap of 1.5-2 cm. You can not be afraid that outsiders will see this gap, the plinth will perfectly block it. Then we set everything in place.

When the laminate is swollen from moisture, it is necessary to dismantle all the panels and inspect this place. All water that has accumulated under them should be removed, the surface thoroughly wiped and the floor substrate removed. In the worst case, you will need to replace the deformed panels with new ones. It’s good if after the repair you have a few pieces left, and you don’t have to run to the store to select new material to replace the rejected laminate by color.

Now you know what to do if the laminate is swollen. In most cases, our advice should help. But still, you should be more serious about the choice of material when buying. High-quality panels withstand several hours even in hot water, but cheap panels absorb liquid like some kind of sponge. It cannot be repaired, you already understood that only a complete replacement will fix the problem. Therefore, if you have a constant problem with spilled water in this room, then it is better to buy a waterproof laminate from a good manufacturer right away.

Today, laminate flooring is very popular among floor coverings. It has many advantages over other materials, some of which are ease of installation and easy care. But still, with improper care, the floor covering can be deformed, that is, swell.

There is no need to worry and replace the entire floor covering at once. Defects can be eliminated independently.

Causes of deformation

First of all, you need to determine the cause of the deformation. There may be several reasons and solutions, respectively, consider them:

exposure to moisture- the floor was filled with water. A spilled glass of water will not bring harm, but if contact with the liquid was prolonged, negative consequences may appear - swelling of the canvas and further partial or complete replacement;
low quality material. Buyers are usually trying to save money, but saving on laminate flooring will result in money being wasted on repairs or replacements.
when installing the floor, they did not make compensation gaps. Their width is 8-12 mm. They are located between the wall and the coating, perform the function of a buffer zone. When the temperature or humidity of the room changes, the material from which the floor is made has the ability to expand or decrease. In the event that there is no gap, the floor covering will swell.
poor quality subfloor. Sometimes the cause of swelling can be the surface of the base under the laminate. As a result, it will be necessary to change the entire coating and substrate.
moldings. Another reason for the distortion Since in the case of gaps, the moldings will simply prevent the coating from expanding. We must not forget that the coating must be mounted in a floating way, that is, without fastening to the base.

How to eliminate the effects of swelling?

If moisture is the source of swelling, be aware that there is water left under the floor covering itself. What to do if the laminate is swollen from moisture:

Carefully dismantle the plinth, on the side where the swollen laminate is located.
Remove the boards one by one to the element with the defect.
Dry the surface from water.
Replace damaged boards with new boards.
Collect the floor.

In the event that this coating has served you for more than one year, it will be quite difficult to find the same pattern and shade. Therefore, it is better if you set aside a few boards in reserve when installing the floor. Another option is to use the boards that are under the furniture, and instead put a different shade, in which case you will not need to look for panels in stores, and under the chair or sofa it will not be noticeable that the laminate is different. The main thing is that it be from the same manufacturer and the same series, so that the locks must be identical.

If you used high-quality material, then over time, after drying, the elements may return to their shape. They can be used later. But this is not always the case.

If, when installing floors, you nevertheless decided to save money and buy cheap material, and over time the laminate swelled up - the only way out is to replace the coating, keep in mind to replace the entire coating.

To solve this problem caused by the lack of gaps, you can remove all obstacles in front of the expanding laminate. To do this, the laminate resting against the wall just needs to be cut. For this you need:

Mounting errors (not leaving a gap) often cause swelling

Remove all skirting boards.
With a pencil, mark where the coating rests against the wall.
Use a cutting tool to remove excess laminate.
Install skirting boards in place.
Remove all furniture and heavy items from the floor so that the laminate can straighten itself out.

As a result, you will get a free gap between the coating and the wall, about 1-2 cm wide, depending on the size of the skirting board. Make sure that the plinth hides these gaps. If pipes run from under the floor in your room, the gap between the boards and pipes should also be up to 2 centimeters. Also note that the door latch must be attached to the base of the floor, the skirting boards to the wall, and not to the laminate.

When we talk about swelling at the joints of the laminate, the only way out is to change the flooring. Naturally, the entire laminate should not be changed. It will be necessary to change the strip or a couple of elements.

How to avoid bulging laminate flooring?

Do not forget that it is always possible to avoid such a problem as laminate swelling, follow the proven methods and effective tips:

When buying, choose only high-quality material from a trusted manufacturer;
Always follow the operating conditions;
Pay great attention to the preparation of the base of the floor, and its waterproofing;
If necessary, use special glue for installation;
When wet cleaning, try to monitor the amount of water that gets on the laminate;
This type of floor periodically needs to be covered with polishes with a water-repellent effect.

How to protect laminate from water?

In order not to swell the laminate, you can use a special wax. It reliably protects your coating from possible swelling of the laminate.

The additional components of this wax can also prevent bulging of the laminate, as a result of wet cleaning or accidental water spills. It is applied to the cracks, between the boards with a spatula, before that the surface should be prepared.

After processing the floor, the surface must be polished with a rag or a special machine. Make sure that after polishing, the wax remains only in the joints and cracks (if any), and not on the laminate.

Polishing is carried out after applying the wax several times, and it can be repeated after 2-3 hours. The floor can be used after 10 hours. When wax dries, it releases toxic substances, which is why it is necessary to use a respirator.

Laminated parquet, like any other floor covering, is deformed under the influence of certain factors (swells, warps, twists, etc.). It is not difficult to find out the cause of the appearance of defects, much more work will have to be done on how to eliminate the swelling of the laminate.

Laminate flooring is successfully operated in any premises, except for wet ones. For baths, laundries and similar rooms, there are special finishing materials made of PVC, composite, ceramics. Even special installation systems have been developed that allow you to assemble a waterproof canvas. Such products are not cheap, but we will talk about the traditional coating.

As practice shows, even under acceptable conditions, the laminate can swell after installation. And there are several reasons for that:

Mounting errors

The floor covering is deformed due to the absence or insufficient expansion gaps around the perimeter of the room. Simply put, the floor expands with increasing humidity, rests against the wall and individual planks begin to rise. Both the locks and the stove are damaged.

Swelling of the laminate due to the lack of expansion gaps.

According to the manufacturers' recommendations, the optimal size of the expansion joint is 8-10 mm. The master can generally forget or justify himself by the fact that the gap will not close with a plinth. Recall: the minimum width of a decorative strip made of MDF, PVC or wood is 18 mm or more - up to 4 cm, depending on the height and design of the product. Therefore, this is either banal laziness, or complete ignorance of the laying rules and unwillingness to read the instructions attached by the factory to each pack.

The second reason that defects appear in the first few months after laying the laminate is increased residual moisture of the base. The moisture content must not exceed:

4% for floor slabs,
5% for cement-sand screeds,
12% for a board, plywood or chipboard base.

Swelling at the joints due to high humidity of the base.

If you are inattentive to this rule, then soon you will find the floor swollen in places.

A third possible factor could be underlayment too thick. Some pseudo-experts claim that the surface can be leveled very cheaply and quickly - with the help of a substrate rolled up in several layers. Let's think logically what can happen with a coating that actually "walks":

Too soft bottom layer does not create an even, solid base and springs like a rubber trampoline.
Lock joints are not designed for such a backlash, they loosen, creak and break.
The result is a creaking, raised floor in places with crumbled locks.

Laminate with locks damaged due to thick backing.

In this form, it is difficult to restore it - you will need a master with a huge amount of knowledge and colossal work experience. It is easier to completely remove and lay a new one according to the instructions.

Incorrect operating conditions

Installation was carried out in accordance with all the rules, but your laminate is swollen - what to do? Check if water gets into the joint area. If the floor is laid in the corridor in front of the front door, in the opening of the bathroom or in the kitchen near the sink, then it can rise precisely because of regular moisturizing. And the amount of liquid is not so important. Of essential importance is the very fact of the interaction of the coating with moisture, whether it be a flood or leaking pipes.

Laminate bulging from water splashes.

We note one more factor: a laminate floor made according to all the rules may swell due to high relative humidity. According to operational standards, the optimal value of this indicator varies from 40% to 60%. For some regions (Primorye, North Caucasus), the average annual rate is 80-90%. In this case, it is recommended to purchase products with enhanced moisture resistance characteristics, such as:

The density of the plate is not less than 800 kg / m 3;
Water absorption coefficient no more than 7%;
Processing of lock joints with special compounds, etc.

Poor quality products

There is another answer to the question “why the laminate was swollen” - a product of an unknown manufacturer of dubious quality was purchased. Is different:

Carrier low density board- up to 700 kg / m 3. It’s easy to check - try bending or scratching the lock connection with your fingernail. True HDF board is very strong and dense to the touch, without the slightest sign of friability. The structure is homogeneous, without foreign inclusions, does not spring when compressed, does not bend in the area of pressure when trying to break it with fingers.

Even wax impregnation will not save poor-quality laminate from water.

Weak top layer- overlay. According to manufacturers, laminate flooring can withstand a lot: office chair wheels, heels, animal claws, and more. In addition, with proper care, it will last at least 10 years. But if the protective coating is of poor quality, it is easy to damage, scratch or remove completely. Sometimes buyers use keys, cloves to check, but the best way to test is to put the lamella on the floor and walk on it, jump. Then lift and carefully examine the bar. The absence of traces indicates that the product is resistant to shock and mechanical stress.

Too soft or uneven interlocks. If two planks are easily connected, without the slightest effort and characteristic clicks, then they will diverge just as soon. Another thing is when the lamellas are joined with difficulty, with additional effort. Take a close look at the locks. There should be no crooked cuts, bends or cutouts - an exceptionally flat plane without flaws.

Poor-quality laminate flooring, according to installers, is very difficult to install. It is capricious in assembly, requires additional grinding and fitting. Quickly swells and swells from the slightest splash of water, darkens after wet cleaning and fades in open areas. Service life is estimated at 3-5 years. There is only one way to correct defects - complete dismantling and disposal.

Swollen laminate: how to fix

Damaged coating is not always recoverable. If the cause is installation errors, then most often you can get by with economical ways to restore the floor:

If there are no compensation gaps around the perimeter, then they can be carefully cut with a jigsaw. A correctly made seam is completely covered with a plinth.

With increased residual moisture, the laminate must be completely removed, laid out in a ventilated dry room. Apply a waterproofing primer to the base or spread a film, a new substrate, and only then mount the floor again.

Remember that lock joints stretch over time. Therefore, when dismantling, it is necessary to write a number on the reverse side of the plates with a marker in order to subsequently assemble the coating in the same order.

If swelling appears due to an incorrectly chosen thickness of the substrate, then this means that the locks are already damaged, the strips must be removed and discarded. It is better to buy a few more packs from the same batch along with a new underlayment. If you can't find it, pick it up by shade and stick it on.

Tips “remove the bar from an inconspicuous place, such as under a sofa or closet, and rearrange it” is better to ignore. A tight joint will not work in any case, besides, the coating, as a rule, fades a little in the light, the difference will be obvious.

Planks that have risen due to water ingress can be left untouched for some time (up to 3 months). Laminate from well-known factories often returns to normal on its own. But if it deteriorates more and more over time, it is more rational to remove the damaged area and replace it with a new one. How this is done is well demonstrated in the video below.

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The most important reasons why laminate flooring usually swells are:

1. The most common - if you filled it with water;

2. Less often - you or your master did not quite technologically laid the laminate;

3. The least rare reason - you bought not the best quality laminate;

4. Rarity - high humidity in the room.

What to do if the laminate is swollen due to its flood with water

Our masters call this reason "Titanic".

This happens very often: a pipe burst in the kitchen, the neighbors pleased with the flood, all this leads to swelling of the laminate even after you have wiped the floor.

You can lay a moisture-resistant laminate, but it does not resist water so much. If the water just flooded the entire laminate, it will still swell.

There are special moisture resistant oils and waxes designed for laminate flooring. They will help preserve the laminate and reduce the likelihood of it swelling, but not by much.

So, what to do if the laminate is swollen?

First, do not immediately take on the disassembly of the laminate. The fact is that the laminate locks will start to walk and then you are unlikely to assemble the disassembled laminate.

Step 1. You need to wipe it and help it dry.

Step 2. In addition to drying, you need to remove the baseboards from the laminate immediately after you have wiped the floor.

And cut the laminate by 5 mm around its entire perimeter.

Where the laminate has already rested against the wall and begins to bulge - cut it to a greater distance. You can cut the laminate with a chisel.

Step 3. Drying.

Drying will take about 5 days. Help with a hair dryer sometimes, not all 5 days.

Maybe the swelling of the laminate will pass after all the above rescue operations.

If this does not help and the laminate is still swollen, then it is necessary to re-lay the laminate

Most often, re-laying the old laminate does not help. But sometimes it helps and the laminate lies flat, does not warp for a long time.

If this step does not help, then buy several new pieces of the same laminate. Before buying - find out on the check its exact name and marking.

Usually, after 5 years, one or another type of laminate disappears from the market.

However, this step may not help and you will need to re-lay the entire laminate by buying a new one.

The second reason is a violation of the installation technology. What to do if the laminate swells for this reason?

When craftsmen lay laminate, they must always leave a small distance between the end of the laminate and the wall. At least on one side of the laminate. If they did not, then the laminate will swell over time.

You may also find that the joints of the laminate are also slightly swollen.

After carrying out the above manipulations, your laminate will most likely return to normal.

If the parquet swelled because you bought low-quality laminate or is your room too damp? What to do in this case

If you bought low quality laminate flooring, then read reviews online about it. If many people write that their laminate swells, then you can arm yourself with the consumer code and demand a refund for the laminate in the store. Also in this case - do not pass by Rospotrebnadzor. In some cases, the store returns the funds for the laminate, but most often through the courts.

A rare cause of parquet swelling is high humidity in the room.

If this is the reason for the bulging of the laminate, then you need to buy and install a home weather station at home. It is sold in most electronics stores, there are also dozens of options on the Internet.

The correct humidity is less than 79%.

Laminate is one of the most popular flooring for residential and office space. The material can be installed quite simply and quickly on its own, its cost is not high, and its performance is at a good level. But even such a product has a number of defects. For various problematic situations, you need to know exactly what to do: if the laminate is swollen, if the coating “went” in waves, and if other irregularities appear on the floor.

Do not rush to sprinkle ashes on your head and completely change the newly installed beautiful floor, as some experts advise. Try to eliminate the defect that has arisen without using such radical methods. Our practical tips will help you with this, how to fix a swollen laminate, returning the room to its previous appearance.

Why does laminate swell, if it is well known that floors made of this material are unpretentious and successfully resist external influences? Problems can arise from all directions, and the main indicator of the need for repair is the appearance of visible defects on the surface of the coating.

First of all, it is necessary to determine why the laminate is swollen.

This phenomenon can have several different reasons:

poured water on the floor;
the material is not of high quality;
mistakes were made during the laying process, that is, the masters did not leave a gap from the floor to the walls.

It is easy to determine why the laminate is swollen by the nature of the defect that has arisen:

Incorrect - waves on the coating are formed due to the lack of a gap between the extreme panels and the wall.
Liquid on the floor surface - laminate, which is a pressed wood shavings with sawdust, absorbs moisture well, as a result of which it can swell.

You will have to resort to reinstalling the coating only if the swelling of the laminate is due to its poor quality. In other situations, there is a high probability that you will be able to correct the situation.

Eliminate the effects of bloating laminate

The cause of swelling is liquid that has fallen on the floor

Water gets on the laminated floor quite often, even in those rooms where there is no high humidity.
Let's say your aquarium breaks, or a child spills something on the floor. As a result, the question arises of how to eliminate the swelling of the laminate.
It would seem that the problem is insignificant, but still you will have to perform routine repairs.

Note!
To avoid this situation, the floor must be treated with special polishes or waxes that repel moisture.

It doesn’t take long to decide what to do - if the laminate is swollen from water, but first of all, you need to carefully remove the damaged panels and carefully examine them.
But it all depends on the specific case. It happens, of course, that after drying, the floor returns to its original place. True, this trick will not work for cheap material - these products, like a sponge, absorb moisture and swell quickly.

Usually water accumulates under the boards. It needs to be wiped down and replaced. If you perform this procedure in a timely manner, then this may be enough for the laminate to regain its attractive appearance, as in the photo in glossy magazines.

If a lot of time has passed since the liquid hit the coating, then the damaged panels will have to be replaced.
It should be noted that this procedure is quite risky, especially if several years have passed since the first installation. It will be difficult for you to accurately guess the tone of the coating, and the new panels will be too noticeable.

Note!
An alternative option in this case is to use the material from under the sofa or closet, and instead put a new one, which may differ in shade or texture.
>You may have spare parts left after the initial installation of the coating. They can be used instead of damaged boards.

The cause of swelling is the wrong styling technology

If during the installation process you did not leave the necessary gap between the floor and the walls on at least one of their sides, then the coating may be deformed.

If the laminate has reared up and gone in waves, you need to remove all the barriers that prevent it from expanding.

If the laminate rests against the wall, then part of it will have to be cut off.

To give the floor a beautiful look, you must perform the following steps:

carefully remove the plinth;
mark with a pencil the places where the laminate rests against the wall;
carefully cut off the protruding sections so that a space of about 15-20 mm is formed between the floor and the wall. The gap must be made taking into account the skirting boards, which should completely cover it.

Heating pipes that come out from under the floor can also cause a problem. The distance to them should be the same as the gap between the wall and the floor.

Note!
The door lock, like other items, cannot be attached to laminated panels, otherwise the coating will deform.
To properly install such structural elements, cut holes in the boards and mount directly to the floor screed.

How to avoid bulging laminate flooring

Of course, it would be much wiser to prevent such a situation already at the stage of laying the coating. Use special video tutorials to perform the installation technologically correctly. Before attaching the panels, take care of the reliable protection of the floor from possible swelling and flooding.

Note!
Floor protection is especially important if you plan to install laminate flooring in a kitchen or bathroom where there is high humidity.

The quality of the material matters the most. A good laminate will not deform so much even with prolonged exposure to water and high temperatures.

Try to purchase high-quality, waterproof material. Its price will be slightly higher, but it is better to pay once than to spend time fixing the defects that have arisen when using a cheap laminate.

At the end of the article

By following simple steps, you can restore the coating to its former gloss with your own hands. Once properly repaired, your laminate floor will look like new.