Laminate Floor Buckling

Since it is a floating floor the planks tend to contract when it is cool and expand when it is warm.

Laminate floor buckling. Laminate flooring is affected by water in a number of ways. High moisture content in the air can sometimes lead to buckling or warping. Buckling occurs when laminate flooring does not have enough space to contract and expand with temperature changes. For this reason it is important never to wet mop a laminate floor.

Use a hammer and chisel or putty knife to remove baseboards or molding near the damaged boards. Buckling laminate floors are most commonly created when either an expansion gap is not left or moisture has created swelling between boards. Excessive water on the surface of the floor can also lead to buckling or warping. Buckling is the opposite when floorboards resemble an arch or an upside down bowl.

If laminate boards have no room to expand and contract you will find them buckling or creating a tent like appearance. This can be caused by temperature and humidity differences which cause the flooring to expand and press against its edges. If you catch this problem quickly you might dodge a bullet and get away without the need for extensive repairs but that s rare. The repair process is basically the same.

Buckling or warping you ll know that you have warped floorboards if they curve inwards like the inside of a bowl. Typically buckling or peaking in a laminate floor is caused when there is an increased tension between the boards in the flooring. If spacers were used between the wall and the board closest to it replace them with smaller spacers. How to repair laminate flooring.

Inadequate or insufficient glue incorrect nailing or inferior subfloor construction can all result in buckling which can start as quickly as a few days after installation. Moisture seeps into the fiberboard core of a board and swells it causing the board to push against the one next to it and curl upward. Avoid placing heavy objects on the laminate floor. Laminate floor buckling like lifting can be caused by changes in temperature and humidity levels.

Extremely heavy items such as a piano or large bookcase prevent the floating floor from moving and may cause buckling in the middle of the room. Buckling laminate flooring is easy to fix if you know how to do it. Laminate floors buckle because they get wet.