laminate floor repair – Printable – How to Clean and Maintain Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring can last and remain beautiful for many years if it is cleaned and maintained properly. Taking care of this surface is not difficult, but it is important to know the three main rules involved. When you follow them your laminate flooring will look great.
Less Is More
Although most laminate flooring is moisture resistant, avoid excess moisture being left on the floor. Wipe the floor with a damp mop or cloth to clean up spills and dirt. When you mop up, do not put on a large amount of water. Your laminate flooring will sparkle after this simple treatment.
Also, your laminate flooring has a permanent hard, shiny surface. You will not need to use waxes or polishes to make it look good. What is more, these products can cause damage and leave the surface looking cloudy.
Keep It Smooth
Any soft cleaning cloth will work to clear your flooring of the dust that accumulates naturally in homes. Use a special vacuum attachment or dust mop. Put a doormat outside the room so that abrasive dirt and sand will not be tracked in onto the laminate flooring. If you put any rugs directly on your flooring, make sure that they are made of a material that will not scratch the floor.
For any appliances that have levelers, use something to protect the floor underneath. Felt pads or castors may be used to protect your laminate flooring from dents and scratches. Move furniture around to different locations from time to time. This way, you will not have dents where the legs of couches and chairs have set for years on end.
When you do move furniture, always place it on a protective surface over your laminate flooring. Even if you use a moving dolly, the wheels can cause damage if you are not careful. Furthermore, it is not a good idea to walk around on your laminated floor in high heels as a rule. Frequent jabbing of the surface with these sharp edges may damage the floor.
Use the Right Products
Clean difficult stains by using nail polish remover or a similar product. This will get paint or oil off your laminate floor without damaging the surface. Do not use all the same kinds of cleaners on your laminate flooring that you would use on other types of flooring. Soap based detergents are a no-no. Nothing with a gritty texture should be used. Also, products that are meant to clean and add a high gloss shine at the same time are incompatible with laminate flooring.
When you do get scratches in your laminated floor, buy some floor repair paste from your flooring supplier to fill in the surfaces. Laminate flooring is not meant to be refinished. If you feel that your laminate flooring has seen better days, it may be time to think about replacing it. You will simply destroy the surface if you try to rework old flooring of this type.
You can have an attractive surface for years to come if you clean and maintain your laminate flooring well. The main thing to remember is that less is more: less water, less cleaning products, and less abrasion. It only takes a little knowledge and a small amount of work to have a floor you can look at with pride.
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Buying wide plank laminate flooring is the same as buying a narrow plank. The only difference will be price. The first thing that you will need to look for when shopping for wide plank flooring is the wood grain and finish that you want. It is a good idea to order samples of several different finishes to see which one will compliment your home the best. If you don’t know if a certain wide plank laminate floor product will look good in your home look at the sample floor in a flooring showroom. This should give you some idea of what it will look like in your home. If you are shopping online you can look for photographs of the product when it is assembled. Samples can also be ordered online or from a showroom for about $1 to $5 per sample. This fee usually covers the shipping cost.
The second thing that you will want to look for in wide plank laminate flooring is that they offer you a good warranty. Most hardwood laminates will offer a 10 to 15 year warranty. Before you buy a laminate flooring product make sure that you read through their warranty information. Make sure that you understand what is covered by the warranty and what is not covered by the warranty.
The final thing that you will want to consider when you are buying wide plank laminate flooring is its price. A quality hardwood floor plank will generally cost around $3.50. You can save money by waiting for a sale, looking for special flooring close out sales and by shopping at a flooring wholesaler.
Is wide plank laminate flooring right for you? Find out more at LaminateFloorsCheap.com – your source for handscraped laminate floors, do it yourself floor installation information and professional flooring advice. For more home decor and remodeling options visit the home and garden directory.
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Laminate flooring is a great way to improve the value and look of any room. However if your floor is installed incorrectly there are problems that can occur that will detract form its appearance. One of the most common problems is a buckled laminate floor.
A buckled laminate floor is caused by to much tension on the floor and is normally caused by flooring that was installed in before it was allowed to acclimate to the room temperature. To avoid a this problem you should always allow your floor planks to acclimate to the room temperature by letting them sit flat on the floor of the room they are to be installed in. This will allow them to expand or contract with the rooms climate.
If you do experience a buckled laminate floor there is a very easy way to fix it. The first thing you will want to do is to remove the base trim from around the perimeter of the room. Next use a small pry bar to remove the spacers that are between the wall and the laminate flooring. After all the spacers are removed you will need to press down on the buckled sections of the floor to make them flat again, if you are not heavy enough a small rubber mallet can be used to lightly tap the floor flat. When the buckled laminate floor is once again flat you will need to install new spacers that were custom cut to the new width between the wall and the floor. The last step is to replace the base trim and clean up.
Although a buckled laminate floor seems like a major problem it is really an easy fix, if you are unsure on how to repair it your self always seek out a qualified flooring contractor.
Learn more about Wood laminate flooring and read about floor Cleaning and Care Tips
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