Hole in a Laminate Floor! Can It Be Repaired?
Although laminate flooring is made from increasingly durable materials, it is still prone to minor or major damage, just like any other type of floor. But what if a hole appears in one of the boards? There are several ways to repair it, and they will depend strictly on the type of flooring – laminate or vinyl – as well as the size of the damage itself. The easiest to fix are simple scratches, while repairing or replacing the proverbial board with a hole will take a bit more effort. Contrary to what it may seem, we are not always doomed to replace the faulty element. It is worth starting with less time-consuming methods, such as using ready-made waxes or repair compounds, which will perfectly fill the gap and make the floor look like new.
How to Repair a Hole in a Laminate Floor? Use Wax!
Repair compounds or filling waxes are an excellent way to get rid of larger gaps in the floor, for example, those caused by a falling iron. Waxes available in many color variants allow you to match the shade almost perfectly to the flooring in your home or apartment. Before filling the hole in the board, carefully clean the damaged area. Apply the wax by heating it directly over the damage (you can use several colors at once), wait until the compound is completely dry, and then remove the excess. The exact drying time is given by the manufacturer on the packaging, and the excess is removed using a hard plastic spatula. Then polish with the “cloth” included in the wax kit. In addition to waxes, there are also repair compounds that can be lightly sanded using the included fine-grit sanding tool, and if necessary, you can apply lacquers or paints with a fine brush to fully recreate the grain pattern, such as oak. Manufacturers often recommend such paints for their dedicated fillers. Stores offer various repair compounds intended for different types of flooring. Make sure that the product you choose is suitable for the type of floor you have. And what if that’s not enough? In the case of truly large mechanical damage, it will be necessary to replace the damaged board.
How to Replace a Laminate Floorboard Yourself?
Contrary to appearances, replacing a damaged floorboard with a new one is not a difficult task. If only one of them is damaged – for example, in the middle of the living room – there is no need to dismantle the entire floor. To replace a laminate floorboard yourself, you will need tools depending on its type, such as: a jigsaw or circular saw (be careful with cutting depth if you have underfloor heating), a utility knife, a rubber mallet, PVC wedges, as well as a tape measure, pencil, and adhesive for wood-based / wooden panels or PVC / SPC vinyl planks, plus a small broom or vacuum cleaner. Before starting work, be sure to watch an installation video to make the task easier:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR5quiFCGT0
Begin replacing the damaged panel by drawing triangles on each of the shorter sides of the board. This will allow you to remove the element without damaging the neighboring boards. Cut along the marked lines, maintaining the proper cutting depth depending on the panel’s thickness – and always remember about cutting depth when dealing with underfloor heating. Remove the cut fragments and, if necessary, protect the damaged underlay with aluminum tape. Next, remove the tongues – the protruding elements – from only two sides of the new board. Before installing, clean the entire area where the damaged board was removed. The next step is to apply mounting adhesive for wood or PVC (depending on the type of flooring) to one long edge, as shown in the video. Install the panel, making sure to tap it properly into place with a tapping block and rubber mallet. Promptly remove any excess glue with a damp cloth or acetone. If you have any questions or doubts, it’s worth seeking support on the manufacturer’s website or by contacting their customer service office directly.
