Easy Method of Fixing Lifting Laminate Flooring

Fixing Lifting Laminate Flooring

No matter how well you arrange to install your laminates, you may do it yourself, or an expert does it; nothing is as disappointing as realising that your newly laid laminate floor is already lifting.

If you have problems with lifting or buckling and would like to restore your floor to its perfect state, all you need is time and effort.

In this guide, you will learn how to repair lifted laminate flooring in easy steps. But first, we have to establish the primary reason behind the problem.

Identifying the Root Cause

As you prepare to commence the repairs, you must ask yourself essential questions to determine why your laminate flooring is lifting. There might be many reasons for this problem, but identifying the cause is essential for an effective solution.

Evaluating these original factors, originating from moisture issues, installation failures and unsuitable ground, assessing them will assist in resolving the problem and its absence in the future.

  • Excess Moisture: Relative humidity greater than 6-9% in the subfloor or slab contributes to lifting. If you do not want a wetter basement, then you should avoid this by either using a dehumidifier or underlayment.
  • Improper Installation: When the interlocking pieces are not correctly aligned, the flooring is placed too close to the walls, or it is not properly acclimatised, gaps, warping, and buckling may develop.
  • Uneven Subfloor: An uneven subfloor or slab may cause lifting or bouncing. Some problems can be solved with a levelling compound; if problems are severe, it is better to contact specialists.
  • No Expansion Gaps: Failure to create gaps for expansion at the edges may lead to lifting, especially when humidity changes. It is important always to leave extra space, especially based on seasonal adjustments.
  • Temperature Changes: Sudden temperature changes will cause the surface to expand and contract, likely lifting or buckling the laminate.
  • Subfloor Damage: Issues such as cracks or damage in the subfloor create pressure on the laminated floor, which begins to push the laminate up and, therefore, create irregular surfaces.

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How to Fix Lifting Laminate Flooring?

When repairing the lifted laminate flooring, it is important to take your time to find the root cause. Before the repair, it is important to figure out the root of the problem, as a different solution would be needed to solve the problem.

Addressing an Uneven Subfloor

If laminate flooring was laid over an uneven substrate, incorrect installation may also be blamed for the planks’ lifting. Levelling the subfloor is the solution:

  • To get to the subfloor, the affected sections of the laminate flooring must be lifted.
  • Check for unevenness of the subfloor in case it is causing the problem that is observed on the floor.
  • To level an uneven surface, sand it with a sanding machine or grinder.

In those cases, it is better to turn to the flooring specialist, who can sand and reinstall it accurately. Before laying the laminate again, one is advised to apply an underlayment to make the surface finer and more rigid. Replace the laminate planks and place these deeply using a block and mallet.

Fixing Moisture Problems

Excess moisture is a common cause of laminate flooring lifting, as the planks can swell and rise:

  • Open the wall to determine the nature of the moisture, which could be caused by leakage or high humidity within the home.
  • To deal with humidity, consider the root problem and repair any leakage or improve air circulation.
  • Pick up the raised flooring parts and allow the designated space to air dry.
  • Installing a moisture barrier will help you avoid future issues.
  • A moisture meter must verify that the area’s moisture content is suitable for reinstalling flooring.

Ensuring Proper Expansion Gaps

The gaps visible on laminate flooring are contraction and expansion gaps that help the floor adjust to temperature changes and humidity levels present in a certain room. If these gaps are missing, the flooring may buckle and lift:

  • You have to strip the covering to establish if there exists a gap of about ¼ inch for expansion around the area borders.
  • Cut the planks into the required size, and space should be left for expansion and contraction.
  • Replace the flooring and ensure that it was installed with the right expansion margins to reduce future lifting cases.

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Consider Replacing the Flooring

If the above solutions seem too extensive or if the flooring has been severely damaged, it might be time to consider replacing the flooring

  • Determine the severity of the damage and if, at all, the flooring is reusable.
  • You may also think about laying a new floor on your own; however, it is advisable to hire flooring specialists to help you do the job and avoid such mishaps.

All these solutions relate to a certain cause of laminate flooring lifting. If it is an uneven subfloor, moisture damage or absence of expansion gaps, it will be easier to address this issue by addressing the root that caused it.

Whenever the job seems to get out of hand, especially given its complexity, flooring specialists such as JJ’s Flooring Services always help a lot.

Bottom Line

Fixing lifting laminate flooring begins with determining the cause, which may be moisture, unfinished installation, or an irregular subfloor.

If you have a problem with the subfloor, you can use the following solutions to get the flooring back to its normal state: levelling the subfloor, managing the moisture, ensuring that expansion gaps are followed, or even replacing the subfloor, depending on the severity of the problem.

If the latter appears complicated, it is advisable to seek help from specialists who can help cope with the problem and avoid its repetition.

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