How do you restore laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is popular in homes and workplaces, and with good reason. It is durable, can look like real wood and is moisture resistant.

In busy homes and commercial premises, however, laminate floors can suffer from wear and tear. There are many ways a laminate floor can be damaged, from minor scratches to chipped corners, mould stains and raised joints. Fortunately, there are ways to restore it too.

How are scratches dealt with?

Scratches can be filled in using a wax pencil suitable for laminate flooring. Buy a wax pencil that matches the floor colour. Simply rub the pencil over the scratches then wipe off excess wax with a cloth.

If the scratches are deep, the board(s) will need replacing. When purchasing laminate flooring, buy more planks than you require so you have a few spare that can be used to replace damaged planks. You may be able to purchase spare boards at a later date, but you cannot be certain that the matching pattern and shade will still be available.

How do I restore chipped corners?

Chip corners can be repaired with wood filler. This is a paste that is the same colour as the flooring, which is spread across the damaged corner with a palette knife. After the filler dries, sand the area to make it even. For severe chips, it is better to replace the plank.

What do I do about mould or mildew?

Mould and mildew are the result of excessive moisture. To remove the stains, first, sweep and mop the floor. Wipe the area with a vinegar-soaked cloth then wash with water. If the stains have penetrated the surface, replace the planks.

Unless the cause of the moisture is found and dealt with, mould or mildew will be a recurring problem.

What is peaking?

When laminate flooring planks push against each other, the surface at the joints is raised. Known as ‘peaking’, this is caused by the laminate flooring not being installed well with insufficient expansion space between the outside floor planks and the walls. This can be fixed by trimming the boards next to the walls that are in line with the peaked area. This will provide sufficient expansion space.

How do I deal with gapping?

Gapping is when there are small gaps at the joints. In cold temperatures, this can be the result of the boards moving away from each other to leave gaps.

Laminate boards can expand or contract slightly according to the temperature. Some installers recommend acclimatising the boards to the room’s normal temperature before installing.

Gaps can be fixed with a sealant in the colour that matches the laminate flooring. Sealants come in a dispenser with a nozzle that makes it easy to fill any gaps. Sealants take a while to dry, so don’t use the floor until thoroughly dry.

Can a dull floor be restored?

Modern laminates are designed not to fade, even in direct sunlight. If the floor looks dull, it could simply be because it is dirty or stained.

Clean it thoroughly with a laminate flooring cleaner. You can make your own laminate floor cleaner with a mixture of a cup of white vinegar and a teaspoon of washing up liquid added to a gallon of warm water. Use this with a mop, then wait for it to dry before walking on the floor.

Can I use wood products to restore laminate flooring?

Laminate floor has a wood content and looks like the real thing, but it is not solid wood. The wood grains are printed on. Most products that are formulated for wood will probably not be effective and could be harmful. For example, treating a wood floor with wood wax makes it look dull. and the wax attracts dirt.

The exception to this is a wood stainer, provided it is used correctly. First, clean the floor then use a chemical etcher to de-gloss the surface. Alternatively, use a floor buffer with a 120-grit sanding screen to de-gloss the top layer, then apply the wood stainer with a floor applicator or painter’s pad. After the floor dries, apply a second coat. Allow to dry between 24 to 48 hours before putting the furniture back and walking on the floor.

Can I sand laminate flooring?

Laminate is made in layers. It has a top protection layer covering the thin printed wood effect layer. Unlike wood, it should not be sanded like a wood floor as this will strip away the wood effect layer and the top layer.

Any attempt to strip the top layer is a bad idea, as it will remove the wood effect.

How do I keep a laminate floor looking good?

There are several ways to prevent damage to laminate flooring to keep it looking good. If the laminate flooring area leads to an outside entrance, people coming inside will tread in dirt and debris, which could scratch the floor. Put dirt-absorbing mats in entrances to trap the dirt before people tread on the floor. Some households take off their outdoor shoes before walking on laminate flooring to prevent dirt from spreading.

Use protectors on furniture legs. These are made from felt or felt-like material with an adhesive coating to easily attach them to legs. It’s also a good idea to trim pets claws to prevent scratching.

Clean the floor regularly with a brush and a mop. Any spills should be mopped up immediately to prevent them staining the floor. Avoid using abrasive cleaning pads, wire wool or other abrasive cleaners as they can scratch the floor.

Steam cleaners or mops are not good for laminate, as the heat could warp the laminate. Use cleaning solutions formulated for laminates. If using a mop, don’t use too much water and dry the floor before treading on it.

If the floor is very dirty, you can hire professional laminate floor cleaners who have expertise in taking care of laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring can last between 10 and 25 years depending on foot traffic, but will not stay looking good forever. At some point, no amount of restoration will save the floor, so it is then time to replace your floor.