Swollen laminate: causes, consequences and methods of correction. Swelling of the laminate: causes and remedies What to do if the laminate is swollen

Laminate flooring is one of the most popular flooring today. Moreover, it is used both in houses and apartments, and in offices. This demand is due to the excellent performance characteristics of the material, durability and strength. However, this material is afraid of moisture, so you need to know what to do if the laminate is swollen. After all, this issue does not have to be solved by a complete replacement of the coating.

Causes of bloating

This phenomenon can be caused by several reasons. Moreover, it is expressed in different ways - there are waves, places of swelling or irregularities. And in the beginning it is important to correctly determine the causes. And then eliminate the consequences.

Reasons why the laminate swells:

poor-quality base - if the base floor is poorly prepared, irregularities remain on it. This will damage the finish. In this case, the consequences can only be eliminated by complete dismantling. Then level the base, and lay the floors again. In this case, damaged slats will have to be replaced.
water ingress on laminate floors - a one-time impact will not harm it. But when moisture gets on the laminate all the time, there will be trouble. Especially if the technology was violated during installation, and gaps appeared between the planks. In this case, swelling will occur quickly.
low-quality material - cheap types of this material swell from time to time. In such a situation, only one way out is a complete replacement.
the laying technology is violated - if the installation does not take into account the temperature gaps or the panels are glued to the base base, due to changes in temperature and humidity, the strips will begin to warp.

Important! Laminate is a floating floor. Therefore, it is mounted so that it does not come into contact with the walls. The gap should be 1 cm. This allows the panels to expand freely.

If swelling at the joints

Sometimes the laminate swells directly at the joints between the planks. There are reasons for this:

poor quality of the material - when the laminate is cheap, the locks are of poor quality. And this leads to bloating.
the substrate of the wrong thickness is selected - depending on the thickness of the planks themselves, the substrate is also selected. If you put a thick and soft lining under a thin laminate, this will lead to squeezing of the planks. As a result, the locks crack.

Cleaning can also be to blame for the fact that the laminate floor warps. It is important to remember that this material is afraid of moisture. Therefore, you do not need to pour too much - just wipe with a wrung out cloth.

A common reason why the laminate rises is the wrong installation technology. It is expressed in the absence of a gap between the coating and the walls. And it should be at least 8 mm, and in rooms with high humidity, this seam increases to 15 mm.

So, if the reason is technology, then the following works are done:

first of all, the plinth is dismantled;
when the slats are removed, the problem will immediately become clear, if the matter is in the gap - the laminate will rest against the walls;
once a problem is identified, it can be fixed. To do this, you will need to cut off the excess parts of the lamellae.
There are two technologies for installing laminate - locking, which is used most often, and adhesive. If the floor is laid according to the second option, you will have to cut it in place.
along the perimeter of the canvas, an even mark is made for indentation. With the help of a jigsaw or grinder, a cut is made.
if the system is castle, then it is better to take out the first rows. This is done simply, although if the coating is greatly expanded, and the laminate panels rest tightly against the wall, you will have to pry over the edge. In this case, it is more correct to make a propyl in place.
after the gap is made, insert the removed planks into place and level the swollen laminate. To do this, just press on the places of warpage - the panels will fall into place.

When trimming, you need to take into account the width of the plinth - it must cover the formed gap. Pay attention to how it is attached to the wall. There should be a gap of 2-3 mm between it and the floor.

If moisture is to blame

If the laminate is swollen with water, you will need to disassemble the surface. There is an option that the moisture will evaporate on its own. For this:

you need to wipe the places where water gets in;
then ventilate the room.

But you need to understand that this option is suitable in cases where the water has not had time to absorb much. This method will not work for cheap grades of material, because. they are rarely resistant to moisture.

Therefore, most often it has to be disassembled. The sequence of actions if the laminate is swollen:

skirting boards are carefully removed. It is worth paying attention to the state of the compensation gap - if it is not there, it is better to immediately eliminate this problem.
the floors are gradually disassembled to the place where swelling is found;
now it is desirable to disassemble a few more panels and dry the base and substrate. Yes, and the surrounding planks will not hurt to ventilate.
after that, the damaged panels are replaced, and the laminate is laid back, and the skirting boards are installed.

However, one unpleasant nuance may arise here - if the coating is old, it has lost its original color anyway. Therefore, it may be difficult to select replacement panels.

In this case, you can offer a simple way out of the situation. In any room, there are blind spots: under the table or other furniture or in the corners. Those. those places that are not conspicuous.

Important! When laying laminate flooring, it is best to leave a few panels in reserve. They will come in handy in case of local repairs.

You can take a laminate from such places and replace it with a damaged one. And put the new one where it is not visible.

Bloating protection

In order not to puzzle over how to fix the damaged coating, preventive measures are provided. They are simple:

follow the terms of use of the coverage. Remember that the laminate is afraid of moisture, so its class must be chosen carefully.
it is better to give preference to proven materials. Cheap panels will not last long.
special attention should be paid to preparation. The base floor must be level and dry, and the underlay must be suitable.
we must not forget that the laminate must float, i.e. the canvas is in no case fixed to the base.
withstand compensation gaps;
Cleaning should be damp and ensure that there is no excessive moisture.

These measures will help prevent damage to the flooring.

Moisture protection for laminate flooring

Sometimes laminate flooring is placed in rooms with high humidity, where it can rise over time. To save yourself from this, you can use special polishes or wax.

Better to use wax. It is natural, adds shine and protects from exposure to high humidity. For parquet, this is a classic version of the protective coating.

The application technology itself is simple:

a thin layer of wax is applied to the laminate;
then you need to grind on the floor with a typewriter or manually - with a soft cloth;
rubbing is done twice, as a result, the laminate should remain clean. The wax itself fills the joints, cracks and cracks, thus preventing the penetration of moisture;
after the procedure, the laminate should stand for about 12 hours, during which time it is advisable to ventilate the room.

Another anti-bloating method that can either be combined with rubbing or used separately is the use of impregnation. It is applied to the ends of the panels during installation. This impregnation effectively prevents the absorption of water when it enters between the joints.

However, you need to understand that these measures are not a panacea - if the coating is constantly exposed to high humidity or water gets in, swelling cannot be avoided. Therefore, you need to follow the conditions of use, and treat the laminate floor with care. Well, in case of emergency, you can always make local repairs.

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.

The most popular, affordable and suitable coating quality. The service life and preservation of its quality are guaranteed if the laying is carried out in compliance with the requirements for installation, and the floor is operated according to the instructions for the laminate. If the rules and requirements are violated, swelling of the laminate is possible. This is the most common coating defect.

Causes of swelling

There is not enough room for thermal expansion of the coating.
Swelling of boards from high humidity.
Poor quality laminate.

Thermal swelling

It occurs when the laying rules are not followed, when there is no necessary damping gap between the lamellas and walls, water pipes and other fixed structures.

Temperature swelling warning

When laying a laminate, a gap of 15–20 mm is required between the wall and the coating, between heating pipes, water supply and other fixed structures and the laminate, since the material expands with increasing temperature, humidity, and seasonal changes in operating conditions.

Elimination of thermal swelling

Remove skirting boards.
Take out the extreme lamellas (you can not take them out).
Cut the edge with a jigsaw or hacksaw (at the removed lamella), chisel or cleaver (in place) from the side adjacent to the wall by 1.5–2.0 cm. The same procedure is performed with boards adjacent to heating pipes, water supply and other fixed structures .
The removed trimmed lamellas are carefully installed in place.
The plinths are re-installed.
The laminate should straighten out in 3-4 days.

Low quality laminate

High-quality laminate - does not mean expensive. In an apartment, it is advisable to use a laminate of 32-33 wear resistance class from well-known manufacturers. In this case, it is imperative to take into account the operating conditions of the floor and the compliance of the coating class with these conditions.

There is only one way to eliminate the cause of swelling of a low-quality laminate: replacing defective sheets with new ones. If there is no material in stock, you can buy lamellas similar in color and texture. A more radical solution to the problem is to replace the entire coating with a better one.

To repair individual sections of the floor, it is dismantled (marked with chalk), starting from one of the walls, and new ones are laid instead of defective canvases. Then they collect everything in the reverse order.

For the sale of low-quality goods from the seller, you can return money through Rospotrebnadzor or the court. To do this, you need to invite independent experts, conduct an examination of the cause of floor swelling, draw up an act and sue the seller. This way you will be able to get your money back and possibly compensation for installation costs. Keep receipts and invoices, this will help in a legal dispute with the seller.

Swelling from moisture

There are several reasons for the swelling of the laminate from moisture:

The floor is not treated with a water repellent.
Increased indoor humidity.
Fluid leaked into the joints.
There is no waterproofing between the screed and the coating.

High room humidity

In rooms with high humidity (kitchens, bathrooms, showers), a special waterproof laminate is laid. The surface of the coating is also treated with water-repellent compounds. Eliminate swelling on a conventional laminate, laid in a room with high humidity, is possible only by completely replacing the coating with a new one. Choose a material that matches the operating conditions of the floor.

To normalize humidity (less than 79%), you can purchase a home weather station. They are sold in stores. But it’s better not to complicate your life, but to apply the coating according to the operating conditions.

Leakage of liquid in lock joints

This is the most common cause of laminate swelling. It is possible to completely flood the floor in case of accidents in the networks or due to the negligence of neighbors, as well as local bays for a variety of reasons.

The first thing to do in such cases is to immediately remove all water from the floor. With a total flood, swelling of the entire floor is possible; with local bays, 2-3 adjacent lamellas are usually damaged. To prevent such swelling, the interlocks are treated with water-repellent compounds (wax, oil) during laying, the seams are sealed with silicone sealant or acrylic putties.

Treating with a water repellent, such as Click Guard sealant, is a simple but effective procedure to keep laminate flooring from blistering. High-quality processing protects the canvases from water ingress into the lock joints for 24 hours. During the operation of the floor, any liquid that has fallen on the floor must be quickly wiped off, and the treatment with water-repellent mastic should be carried out regularly.

elimination

If swelling from moisture nevertheless occurred, you should try to dry the boards naturally or with a hairdryer. Before this, the skirting boards should be removed. If there are no gaps between the walls and the coating, cut the sheets by 5-10 mm along the entire perimeter of the floor. This can be done without removing them, using a chisel.

How to dry

Free the floor from all objects standing on it, especially heavy ones;
Open windows and vents. If it's cold outside, you don't need to open it much. The temperature must be 25°C or higher;
You can dry it with a hair dryer with warm air, fixing it on something at a distance of 30-40 cm from the floor. Blow in one direction with a hairdryer for no more than 1.5–2 hours. No need to use powerful heaters for drying: heat guns, heaters, etc.;
Drying is carried out for at least 5 days, sometimes helping with a hairdryer. Perhaps, after such measures, swelling will pass. If they cannot be eliminated in this way, it will be necessary to re-lay the deformed boards;
At the same time, the damaged area or the entire floor is dismantled, numbering the boards. Eliminate moisture from the base, lamellas and leave them disassembled to dry for 3–5 days;
Remove mold, fungi, damage from the coating and treat the lock joints with oil or wax;
Lay the boards again, following the order in accordance with the numbering. If not all of them have recovered, you need to buy new ones according to the exact name and marking of the coating. Usually a laminate of one brand is sold for no more than 5 years, then it is replaced with a new one.

Bloating in the absence of waterproofing

This reason is less common. Due to inexperience during self-assembly or irresponsibility of the installer, a plastic film is not laid between the screed and the substrate, and moisture from the substrate is absorbed by the laminate boards. This reason can be identified by swelling of the boards, if there were no floods, bays, and the room is dry enough.

Eliminate this cause as follows:

Remove all furniture from the room;
Remove skirting boards;
Raise all the boards, wipe them with a dry cloth and put them separately; Raise the substrate and dry it. Leave to dry for 3-5 days;
A polyethylene film with a thickness of 200 microns is laid on the floor, carefully gluing the overlaps of the canvases;
The film is placed on the walls by 10 cm;
The substrate is laid on the film and the laminate boards are mounted in the same order;
Install skirting boards.
Usually this allows you to operate the floor in the future without problems. If the swelling is not completely eliminated, replace the defective boards with new ones.

In order to be able to return the funds spent on the installation of the floor, conclude an agreement with the installers and demand guarantees for the quality of work. In this case, the negligent installer will be obliged to return the amount of money paid for installation, compensate for the costs of repairing damage to the laminate and will not be able to refer to a poor-quality coating.

What should I do to avoid blistering laminate flooring?

Purchase a laminate from well-known manufacturers that meets the operating conditions (humidity, traffic intensity). To do this, read customer reviews on the Internet.
Be sure to lay a thick plastic film on the base.
When laying, leave gaps between the laminate and walls of 15–20 mm, heating pipes, water pipes and other fixed objects.
Treat lock joints when laying with special wax, silicone or oil.
After laying, treat all seams with silicone sealant, and the floor with a water-repellent composition. Repeat the treatment periodically.
Do not allow water to enter the floor. Remove it quickly. These simple guidelines will help you avoid bulging laminate and keep your floor in good condition for a long time.

Bloating laminate - video

For many years, laminate flooring has been one of the most sought-after floor coverings - it looks dignified and expensive, it perfectly suits almost any style of interior and, importantly, it is quite easy to install it yourself, without the help of workers.

True, the laminate, with all its obvious advantages, simultaneously has one significant drawback - for a variety of reasons, the uniformity of the coating may be disturbed.

People who encounter this problem begin to panic, as they believe that the only way to repair this damage is with the help of professionals.

However, if you study the issue and understand the causes of swelling, you can not only get rid of this problem yourself, but also prevent the further occurrence of irregularities.

Design

For those who decide to solve the problem on their own, first you need to figure out what a laminate is and what parts it consists of.

The lowest layer of the laminate is somewhat reminiscent of a thick sheet of paper, on which a film is applied on one side. This layer is needed just to protect the material from moisture.
Then comes a layer of fiberboard, along the edges of which there are small connectors for fastening, it is with their help that the plates are connected to each other during installation.
Colorless paper with a pattern printed on it is the layer because of which we, as a rule, choose one or another type of laminate.
The last layer is a protective film made of acrylic resins and melamine.

When dividing the products of different companies into price categories, it is the quality of this layer that is the determining factor. The better it is made, the higher the price of the laminate, and, accordingly, the higher the degree of protection of the coating from external influences.

Why is it bloated?

Among the most common reasons that people regularly encounter when choosing a laminate flooring are the following:

Selected initially low-quality material. It's no secret that during repairs, accompanied by huge expenses, people tend to succumb to tempting promotions and discounts. This leads to the fact that trying to save an extra 100 rubles, you can choose a product of low quality, which will lead to subsequent expenses for repairs.

Laminate is a rather whimsical material, and therefore in this situation it is better not to “save on matches”, but to choose from the very beginning the coating of a good company that has proven itself in the construction market.

According to the rules, the base base must be carefully leveled and dried, otherwise unwanted irregularities will occur on the surface of the laminate.

Sometimes builders generally lay the coating directly on top of the old parquet, which is also unacceptable. In addition, sometimes during installation they forget about the substrate, which will subsequently work for thermal insulation, or they choose the substrate of the wrong thickness, for example, under thin strips, a too thick and soft substrate will not work.

Installation technology is not observed. A common mistake when laying the flooring yourself is not making the gap of the right size between the wall and the panel. According to the standards, this space is 1 or 1.5 cm. Otherwise, the temperature regime and humidity level will be violated and the floor will go in waves. Moreover, the same norm must be observed if the laminate is in contact with heating pipes or other elements.

There is one more nuance - sometimes the panels are attached with nails, which violates the protective layer of the material and also leads to further violations.

Laminate wet from water on the floor. Unfortunately, all the advantages of this flooring often pale in front of one obvious drawback - the slightest ingress of water on the surface can lead to swelling. Here, an overturned vase of flowers, insufficient sealing of windows during heavy rains, and even too much water during wet cleaning can play a bad role. Of course, in this situation it all depends on the quality of the laminate. But even the most expensive material from being in a humid room or prolonged contact with water will become unusable.

Careless handling and lack of care.

Determining the reason why the laminate is swollen is necessary in order to correctly choose a way to fix the problem.

By the way, in a situation where you are faced with this in a recently purchased room where repairs have already been made and do not have information about how exactly the installation was carried out, you can always determine the cause by the appearance of swelling. So, if the irregularities are more like waves, the reason is a poor-quality laminate or installation errors. But if the swelling is more like a tumor, twisted and rough, it's all about the penetration of moisture into the structure.

What to do?

find those laminate slabs that rest against the walls;
saw off the protruding part with an electric jigsaw so that the plinth necessarily covers the space that has appeared;

put the plinth in place.

If the laminate is swollen in waves after water, in the summer it is enough to simply wipe the surface with a dry cloth and ventilate the room properly.

However, if it is not possible to partially get rid of the moisture, you must also dismantle:

the laminate must be disassembled to the place where it swelled, and also several plates around should be removed (all panels must be carefully removed at an angle of 45 degrees);
thoroughly dry both the plates and the substrate;
replace the damaged panels, lay the coating back (also at an angle, carefully return the laminate to its place), install the skirting boards.

In this case, it often happens that the plates change their color and appearance from moisture, therefore, when buying a laminate, it is always better to take a little more material than is actually needed, so that in such situations there is always a replacement for old and worn-out plates.

If there are no extra plates available, you can try to cheat - put the damaged laminate where it is not so noticeable, for example, under a closet or in the corner of the room, and mount fresh panels in its place.

Without replacing the panels, you can try to solve the problem with the help of a glass jack - after disassembling the coating, “pull out” the places of distortion using the device. In addition, there is such a “folk” way - it is believed that all irregularities can be corrected with an iron, smoothing the plates, as if you were ironing linen.

How to do without disassembly?

If you do not want to engage in a complete disassembly of the laminate, you can do the following:

free the room from furniture;
remove skirting boards;
stepping back from the wall 15-20 mm, outline the cut line and walk along it with a jigsaw;
to speed up the alignment process, you can put a heavy object in place of the deformation, then the plates will fall into place faster;
put the plinth back in place.

Nevertheless, it is not always possible to avoid dismantling, but you can try to limit yourself to replacing only one panel without disassembling the entire structure.

For this you need:

measure a small rectangle inside the damaged panel, which will be a few centimeters smaller than the original slab, and cut it out;
using a chisel and a hammer, pull out the cut piece and, after the resulting weakening in the structure, the remaining parts;
knock out a row of panels about 10 cm towards the wall;
remove the remaining pieces of the panel and cut off the lock connection;
glue the new panel and what it is attached to with glue;
insert the panel at an angle of 45 degrees and lower. Using a glass jack, pull up the two panels and, after connecting, lower them to the floor;
crush something heavy.

And how to replace a damaged panel without disassembling the entire laminate, see the next video.

How to protect from moisture?

As mentioned above, most laminate problems can be avoided if properly cared for.

Today there are a huge number of ways to do this:

Polishes and impregnations, which include wax. These products have a water-repellent effect, but this method only works if the coating is treated regularly and all instructions are followed (for example, the product is applied twice with an interval of 4 hours, and then the coating will be absorbed for at least 12 hours). In addition, you should always carefully read the accompanying information in order to purchase impregnation specifically for laminate, and not for parquet. By the way, impregnation, as a rule, is applied precisely at the joints of the plates. The approximate volume of one tube is 500 ml, this should be enough to process about 10 m2. And the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe room should be treated with a polish - the product will create a thin protective film, which after some time needs to be updated.

Despite the fact that the laminate is considered a strong and durable coating, a coating that is not of a high strength class may not withstand some loads and deform. Some of the damage is a wave-like defect, unevenness and swelling at the joints, and the causes of swelling of the laminate are errors during installation, poor quality of the material and exposure to moisture (high humidity or water directly). If the cause of damage is the low quality of the laminate, the only way out will be its complete replacement. In other cases, the problem can be solved.

Excessive moisture on the surface of a laminate that does not have a waterproof coating can be detrimental. As a result, joints and locks swell, the top coating peels off. If the laminate is swollen from water, you need to dismantle the areas that have got moisture as soon as possible. If the material is of high quality, it is likely that after drying, the waves on its surface will disappear, returning the coating to its original appearance, but in most cases this does not happen, especially if the material is cheap - it absorbs moisture like a sponge, deforming at the same time.

As soon as a large amount of water has got on the laminate, it is necessary not only to remove the damaged lamellas, but also to wipe them dry or change the substrate under them. If the floor surface has been flooded with water for a long time, you will have to remove the swollen laminate. To replace the boards, you will need the remains of a similar laminate or the purchase of a similar one, the main thing is to choose the same manufacturer so that the locks on the boards match. Before you remove the swelling of the laminate with adhesive joints, it is necessary to make cuts with a circular saw of the damaged panel with an indent along its edges to avoid damage to adjacent boards. Then the board is removed and replaced with a new one, on the joints of which glue is applied. The locks of the replaced and existing panels are cut as follows: the upper part of the groove is removed from the installed lamella, and the lower part from the new one, after which they are connected. To fix and quickly “seize” the panels, you need to place some kind of load on top for 3-4 hours.

Incorrect mounting

If the laminate began to swell due to installation errors, most often this means that when laying the boards, they did not leave free space between the wall and the panels, which is necessary so that the tree can expand slightly over time. At the same time, the laminate should be fastened with modern wide skirting boards. If these measures were not provided, over time or with a temperature difference, irregularities may appear on its surface, which you can remove with your own hands. If the slab has not cracked or crumbled, it can simply be leveled with a homemade press by squeezing it with two flat surfaces.

Another way is to replace the lamellas, which consists of a sequence of actions:

Skirting boards are removed around the entire perimeter of the room, the presence of gaps between the wall and the laminate is checked, as well as compliance with their standards.
If a door latch is installed, it is necessary to check the correctness of its fastening. In order not to damage the surface of the laminate during its installation, it is drilled 2 cm deep and attached directly to the screed.
It is also necessary to check the presence of a thermal gap between the heating pipe and the surface of the laminate.
If the laminate boards are too tight against the wall, the click-to-lock laminate should be lifted at a 45 degree angle and all boards in the row pulled out. Then the required gap distance is marked and the edges are carefully cut off with a jigsaw or other convenient tool by 1-2 cm. If a laminate with an adhesive fixation system is laid, marking is done on the floor, after which the excess is cut off with a grinder.
Places of swelling are gently pressed until they are completely eliminated. If the board does not lend itself, it must be shifted. To do this, you can use a glass jack, with which the panel is removed and mounted back.
Skirting boards are installed in place, while it is necessary to ensure that they completely cover the gaps near the walls.

Prevention of bloating

In order to avoid the question of how to eliminate swelling of the laminate from water or for other reasons, measures must be taken to prevent its occurrence.

Firstly, it is recommended to periodically cover the floor surface with a special wax that creates a protective moisture-resistant coating. This agent is applied after thorough cleaning of the floor with a spatula on the joints between the panels, then carefully polished with a dry cloth by hand. After 3-4 hours, polishing must be repeated, while the floor is not recommended to be used. Care must be taken to ensure that the wax gets only on the joints, avoiding the surface of the boards.

In addition to wax, there is a polish for a laminated surface, which, by creating a thin film on the coating, will protect the floor from swelling during wet cleaning or accidental contact with large amounts of water on it.

In addition to the use of protective equipment, care must be taken to prevent the occurrence of deformations at the stage of choosing and laying a laminate flooring: you should give preference to products from a trusted manufacturer, choose a product of a high strength class with a waterproof coating, and at the installation stage of the coating, observe the gaps between the wall and the floor, ensuring reliable laying the base with a waterproofing layer.

An elementary way to protect against swelling is moderation during wet cleaning, timely response to spilled water on the floor and deformations that begin to occur.