subject: Simple Tips to Repair Laminate Floors [print this page] Today, most of the laminated floorings are enabled with the tung and grove locking system. Instead of the previous model which is only supported by the glue, the laminated flooring using this system is easier to repair. You only need to unlock the system and start repairing the damage part.
The first thing you have to do is to remove the baseboard and the shoe mold. Remove those items carefully by using the small pry bar and hammer. While removing, try to avoid any damage as you can. If you use numerous pieces of trim, it will be better for you to number the sequence of the removal so that you can find it easier to reuse them.
The second thing to do is to remove the damaged pieces. Lift upwards from the furthest flooring edge of the first row so that it will make the next lift easier. Repeat lifting the next rows until you come to the damage area. Then, remove that damage piece off the floor.
The third thing to do is to replace the damage flooring with the new one. Start it by locking the flooring back row by row or piece by piece. For relocking the tung and the grove system, you have to lift the row or the piece at the angle of 45 degree with a slight downward and upward motion. If necessary, you can lay the pieces flat and force them to joint together by using a wood block. Avoid damaging the tung and the grooves. After that you can install the rest of the pieces in the same way so that you can get your floor back together.
The last thing you can do is to replace the baseboards and the shoe molds which secure them to walls by using nails. The best equipment you can use is pneumatic finish nailer or the air compressor. However, if you can't find such equipment, you can also use the hammer and the common finish nails. Then, refinish your job for better result.
