If it has been a long time since you installed your laminate flooring, chances are that some areas of the floor are chipped and broken. The laminate floorboards can chip due to some heavy object dropping on them or other factors. If you want to fix a chipped laminate floor, here is how to do it.
Generally, laminate floors are pretty durable and stable, but they can get chipped because of some accident. Fortunately, you can repair them with simple methods using a laminate floor repair kit and wood fillers.
Before we discuss different ways, let me point out some common reasons that cause chipped laminate flooring. This way, you can prevent your vinyl planks from getting damaged, scratched, or chipped.
How Does Laminate Flooring Get Chipped?
Dropping Something Heavy on the Floor
Accidentally dropping a heavy object can chip your laminate floor, similar to the issues covered in how to repair dents in hardwood floor. Depending on where it fell and the object’s weight, it can also make a dent on the floor.
Improper Staggering or Installation
How you install a laminate floor determines how strong and stable it is, as detailed in how to make a stagger pattern for laying laminate flooring. Improper staggering can cause chipping in the planks. Sometimes, the corners of the laminate floor panels get chipped during installation and improper handling.
Water Damage
If you let water sit on the laminate floor for a long time, it seeps underneath the boards, making them swell and chipping them later.
Heavy Machinery
You should avoid using heavy machinery on vinyl floors. These things are not meant for laminate floors. They can scratch, dent, and chip your floors due to high friction and heavy pounding.
Hard Objects
Hard objects like furniture, tools and hard plastic toys can abrade a laminate finish. You should avoid pulling furniture on the laminate floors as it is one of the major causes why your floorboards get damaged.
How to Prevent Laminate Plank Chipping?
You have read the main causes of laminate floor chipping, now you should know how to prevent it from happening in the future.
There are several ways to avoid chipping your laminate flooring.
Furniture Pads
Furniture pads are fixed underneath the legs of furniture. They act as a cushion between the floor and furniture to prevent damaging the floor. Once you have installed these pads on your furniture’s legs, you can move furniture around without damaging the floor.
These pads are especially helpful if the furniture ends are sharp and small or if you move furniture often.
Rugs
Rugs and floor mats are beneficial for all kinds of flooring. Placing them on the high traffic area will protect your laminate flooring from damage.
Furniture Pads
Furniture pads can prevent damage to your laminate flooring due to furniture movement. It will prevent damage from moving a chair or table, which is why they are usually used in office settings. You can get furniture pads for your living room with high traffic.
Limit Excess Moisture
Water can cause laminate boards to expand and swell, and for related issues, see how to fix buckling in laminate floors. Do not let water sit on the laminate floor for too long. Wiping water as soon as a spill occurs will lower the chances of water damage. Also, check the recommended humidity level for the laminate floor. Usually, it is 35% to 65%.
Regular Maintenance and Cleaning
Mopping the floor regularly will take the debris and dust away that can cause scratches on the floor. This will also help you remove any object that can break the laminate board.
Regular maintenance and cleaning are crucial for laminate floor longevity, as emphasized in how to clean and maintain laminate floors – best practices and products.
Heavy Machinery
If you have a laminate floor, do not bring heavy machinery indoors. Moving or using heavy machinery on laminate planks can damage them. Make sure you use padding if you have to bring heavy machinery to prevent any damage to the floor.
How to Repair Chipped Laminate Flooring?
Minor damage or chipping on laminate flooring is not irreversible. You can use any of the methods mentioned below to fix laminate flooring to make them look good as new. However, if the damage to your laminate flooring is too bad, you might have to consider replacing the boards as a last resort.
Putty Filler
Putty filler is one of the best ways to fix the chipped laminate floor. Also, it is available from any hardware store or home improvement store, and you won’t have trouble finding it.
How to Use Putty Filler to Fix Chips?
- Remove dust and debris in the chipped area with a lint-free, damp cloth.
- Mop or vacuum the floor around the affected area
- Apply a minimal amount of putty filler to the chip using a putty knife
- Smooth the putty carefully and then, if needed, add more putty filler to it
- Level the putty filler to the floor around it
- Remove any excess putty filler
- Let it dry for about four hours
- Use a floor repair marker or a paint pen to hide and blend the spot with the floor.
Wood Filler
Wood fillers are ideal for fixing chipped laminate floors. It is generally used to fix minor defects on wood, such as chips, scratches, and cracks on wood. It is an essential component of every wood repair kit.
They are available in different finishes to find the one that matches your laminate floor. However, if you cannot find the color that matches your floor planks, you can use paint and sealant to blend them into the floor.
How to Use Wood Filler to Fix Chips?
- Clean the floor in and around the chipped area
- Fill in the chipped area with the wood filler
- Use a putty knife to flatten it to the level with the rest of the floor
- Let it sit for an hour or so to dry
- Then finish the work by coating it with a polyethylene
Acrylic Fillers
Acrylic filler is a silicone sealant commonly used on wood, acrylic, hardwood, and laminate floors. It is paintable, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor repair jobs.
It is resistant to temperature changes and moisture, allowing you to use it anywhere for interior and exterior repairs.
How to Use Acrylic Fillers to Repair Chips on a Laminate Floor?
- Clean the area in and around the chip and let it dry
- Fill the chipped area with acrylic filler
- Flatten it to level with a putty knife
- Let it dry for a few minutes
- Paint the patch in a similar color as the floor
Stain Markers
Stain markers are more useful when fixing dents or minor scratches. However, you can use them to hide chipped areas on the laminate floor.
To cover the chipped area with stain markers, manually cover the area with the marker until it blends with the laminate floor.
Remember, stain markers cannot fix broken or chipped floors. It simply makes the chipped area less noticeable.
Sawdust
Fixing a chipped laminate floor with sawdust requires wood glue, sandpaper, and a putty knife.
How to Fix a Chip in Laminate Floor With Sawdust?
- Apply some wood glue to the chipped area and sprinkle sawdust on it.
- Remove excess glue
- Flatten sawdust and wait for it to dry
- Gently sand the applied sawdust with a sandpaper
- Paint it to match the color of your laminate floor
Replacing Laminate Boards
If any laminate plank or area of planks has sustained major damage, replacing them with new ones would be better than trying to repair them.
Replacing Planks
If the damage on your laminate floor is irreparable, you should consider replacing the planks, similar to the guidance provided in laminate floor repair guide, you should consider replacing the planks. If you want to replace a laminate plank, here is how you do it:
Step 1: Remove the Baseboard
The baseboard holds the boards in place. You can find them at the corner of the wall. The boards are screwed underneath the baseboard to the underlayment. Remove these screws first, and then pull out the planks.
Step 2: Take Out the Surrounding Planks
Laminate planks are easy to install and remove. You can remove the damaged planks easily and replace them with new ones. You don’t need a professional to do this job. Remove the surrounding planks to get to the board you want to change.
Step 3: Replace the Damaged Plank
Place the replacement board after removing the damaged plank. Then place the other removed planks back and put the baseboard back.
