subject: Laminate Floors: Repairing Instead Of Replacing [print this page] One of the benefits of having laminate floors is that you can repair them, in many cases, rather than replacing them. Most repairs are not difficult to do, but you do have to have the right tools to do the job. The key is to approach the repair in the right manner.
Laminate flooring scratches are quite common. You can repair them without removing the boards from the floor. The best way to make these repairs is with a floor repair kit, sold in most home improvement stores and online. The kit includes a paste and pigment solutions so that you can match the coloring.
Warping is another issue that some have with laminate floors. Warping happens when the walls expand and there is no room for the floors to expand. There are some options here. For example, you can remove spacers placed between the boards and replace them with smaller versions. You do not have to remove the actual boards for this, but will need to remove the floor molding to get to the spacers.
Broken boards are a potential problem with some types of laminate floors. If your flooring is cracked or broken, it is necessary to replace the board. The good news is that you rarely have to replace the whole floor since most laminate flooring is readily in stock. You will need to remove the molding and trip and pry up the boards necessary to access the damaged ones.
Laminate floors are an investment in the home's value only when they are in good condition. If your floors need some updating or a few scratches improved, the repairs do not have to be costly or time consuming.
