A guide to laminate flooring repair
Give your planks a little TLC
Laminate looking a little worse for wear?
It may be tough and require very little in the way of maintenance – but it isn’t indestructible.
Whether it’s been there for many years, or you just have a busy household of children and pets, accidents happen. And laminate flooring is susceptible to damage such as scratches, chips, cracks, peeling and more. All of which can have a huge impact on its appearance.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it needs replacing.
Unless it’s warped or buckled, or has suffered significant water damage, it’s certainly possible to repair laminate flooring – and easy enough to fix minor issues yourself. So before you buy new or call a local flooring specialist, be sure to read our tips on how to spruce up your planks, without breaking the bank in the process.
First (crucial) question – do you have laminate underlay?
To restore your laminate to its former glory and ensure it looks and feels its former best, it’s important to start from the bottom up. When it was originally fitted, did you – or your professional floor fitter – install laminate flooring underlay between the planks and subfloor?
If not, it may be worth adding it in now.
A high-quality laminate underlay – such as Royale 7mm Professional Sonic Gold – is (by far!) the best way to protect your flooring against future damage and maximise its lifespan.
The extra layer both improves stability and acts as a fantastic shock absorber, reducing the likelihood of any impact damage (e.g. dents and scratches). Its integrated damp-proof membrane helps to prevent moisture-based damage from the subfloor (e.g. swelling and warping). Whilst the high-density foam successfully levels out imperfections in the subfloor, helping to avoid common issues such as creaking and bounciness.
Plus, it will greatly improve insulation and enhance the underfoot comfort of your laminate.
Available for just £59.86 per roll (7.5m2), we believe Royale 7mm Sonic Gold Underlay is a highly worthwhile investment – that will make a notable difference to your laminate, making it look and feel as good as new, and ensuring it lasts for 15-20 years or more.
Most modern laminate flooring is now made from interlocking boards, which don’t require glue or nails. It simply slots together and ‘floats’ above your existing subfloor. Removing these boards is relatively straightforward – which means, if you do wish to add laminate flooring underlay, the boards can simply be removed and re-laid once the underlay has been installed.
How to fix laminate floor
4 of the most common minor issues
1. Scratches
From that time you decided to rearrange the furniture to the dog’s excitable (and surprisingly sharp!) paws after walkies, over time, scratches in your laminate are somewhat inevitable. But fortunately, there are a few simple ways to fix these small imperfections:
- Touch-up marker pens
This is one of the easiest options for laminate floor scratch repair, especially if the scratch is small or shallow. Used like a standard marker – essentially, to colour in the scratch – touch-up marker pens lead to immediate results with minimal mess. Just be sure to choose the right shade for your laminate and remember to clean the area before you begin.
- Wax sticks
Ideal for deeper scratches, wax filler sticks are a relatively quick and easy way to fix laminate flooring. Simply heat the wax, apply it to the affected area and – once it’s fully solidified – remove any excess with a knife (taking care not to push too hard and cause further damage).
- Burn-in sticks
Often found in laminate scratch repair kits, burn-in sticks are made from a hot melt resin that’s ideal for repairing deep scratches. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. But generally, you will need to melt the resin using an electric hot knife (typically provided in the kit), apply it to the scratch and carefully smooth it over.
2. Peeling or chipping
The force of an impact (e.g. if you drop a heavy object) can sometimes cause laminate flooring to peel or chip. There are a couple of methods for fixing this issue to choose from:
- Wood or acrylic filler
This is particularly effective for small chips.
Start by removing any stray splinters with a knife. Clean the damaged area, then spread the filler across the surface with a putty knife – applying it slowly and carefully. Before it dries, apply another shallow layer of filler. Then remove any excess and allow it to dry overnight.
- Repair putty
A recommended option for deeper or hollowed chips.
Laminate repair putty is available in most hardware stores in a variety of colours. But if you can’t find an exact match, it’s possible to mix multiple colours and create a bespoke shade.
Similar to wood filler, simply scoop a bit of the putty onto a knife and spread it across the chipped area. Smooth it out so that it’s level with the rest of the laminate plank, then let it dry. For particularly deep chips, it’s usually worth applying several thin coats of putty.
3. Dents
This is another common issue, usually caused by moving furniture or dropping something heavy. But to repair dents in your laminate flooring, all you usually need is an iron and cleaning cloth.
Add a few drops of water to the affected area, then place a slightly damp cloth over the dent.
Take a preheated iron and place the tip gently on the cloth, moving it in a circular motion and applying moderate force. Continue this action for around three minutes, allowing the steam to essentially lift the dent back into place. If the dent is still visible, repeat the process.
4. General scuffs
Even if you always take off your shoes before walking on laminate, day-to-day wear and tear – particularly smudge marks and scuffs – is pretty much impossible to avoid. Whilst these marks may look unsightly, they’re relatively easy to remove using these home remedies:
- Baking soda
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with warm water. Using a microfibre cloth, rub this solution over the scuff until it disappears. Then use a clean cloth to remove any residue.
- Nail varnish remover
An acetone-based nail varnish remover can be very effective at removing stubborn scuffs. Just apply a small amount to a microfibre cloth and rub the floor gently until it’s gone.
- A tennis ball
Yes, you read that right. The texture of a used (yet clean!) tennis ball is perfect for lifting dirt and getting rid of any scuffs on your laminate. For best results, cut an X-shape in the tennis ball and push it onto the end of a broom handle. Then, buff the affected area – applying gentle pressure.
Laminate flooring damaged beyond repair?
The minor issues outlined above are usually pretty easy to fix by yourself. As long as you follow the instructions of any laminate floor repair kits and take your time, it’s possible to complete a full laminate flooring restoration – without spending a fortune or having to contact a specialist.
Having said that, if you think your laminate is past its ‘best before’ date – with too much wear and tear and damage to patch up – replacing it doesn’t have to be a big job (or a big expense!).
Here at Carpet Underlay Shop, we have a range of laminate flooring available for £19.99 per m2.
Despite its affordability, this is a premium product that’s designed to last. In fact, it even comes with a lifetime guarantee! Made from high-strength wood board, it’s AC-4 rated, which means it offers excellent resistance to scratches, stains, water and impact damage – as well as superior resistance to abrasion, cigarettes and flames.
When paired with a high-quality laminate flooring underlay – such as Royale 7mm Professional Sonic Gold – it’s unlikely to need replacing for at least 15-20 years.
Got a question?
Whether you’re still struggling to repair your current laminate, want to know more about how laminate underlay could help spruce up your planks, or think it’s time for some replacement flooring, our in-house experts are always on hand and happy to help.
You’re welcome to call us at any time on 0203 887 0994. Alternatively, you can send an email to sales@carpet-underlay-shop.co.uk and a member of the team will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.
- Alex Illidge
