Two thirds of families’ flooring damaged by clumsy kids

A survey by Selco Builders Warehouse found that two thirds of the 524 families questioned had their floors stained or damaged by children. The biggest cause of the damage was spilt drinks followed by craft materials like paint and ink.

Carine Jessamine, a member of the team who conducted the research, said that spillages can could serious damage to floors, and although such incidents are inevitable among children, some parents might not be prepared for the cost of repairs, which can run into four figures.

One in five parents surveyed said that they had paid up to £200 for floor repairs, and one parent even admitted to coughing up a £3,000 repair bill.

The most common floor to be damaged is in the children's bedrooms, where 39% of all spills happen. Hard-to-remove foods like peanut butter and beetroot are commonly spilt in dining rooms.

The study found that there is no difference between boys and girls when it comes to causing damage.

The research discovered that carpets are the worst flooring type for damage and stains. Laminates and luxury vinyl flooring are more kid-proof because they are easy to clean and are stain resistant. Some LVT flooring comes with a 20-year warranty, which is ideal for families with young children. It is advisable to buy extra laminate planks or vinyl tiles when installing new flooring, as they can be used to repair floors if they are damaged by adults or children.