Laminate flooring has grown in popularity in the last couple of years. It has become one of the most popular choices among homeowners. Laminate flooring is designed using a mixture of synthetic and other materials.
It looks like tile or wood flooring. This flooring is among the best floors to walk on, looks great when installed correctly, and can be installed on different floors, including heated ones.
However, you need to be careful when installing laminate flooring. This is because some mistakes when installing the flooring might affect the quality of your floor and house. Here are some common mistakes you need to avoid when installing laminate flooring;
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Failure to Seal Your Floor Against Moisture
Some homeowners might argue that they install laminate flooring in places that do not see moisture in their homes. They forget that accidents can happen and can have spills happening in these areas.
In such cases, your laminate flooring will be damaged. No matter the area of your house you are installing this flooring, ensure that you have sealed it against moisture. You can use different types of sealants, such as silicone caulk or glue.
Sealing should be part of the installation process. As a protective measure, clean any spills immediately to protect your floor from damage.
Flooring the Wrong Areas of Your House
You can install laminate flooring in different parts of your house. However, as you can see above, this kind of flooring is not suitable for areas with moisture. This means that you need to check where you want to install laminate flooring.
You might have some rooms in your home that have moisture most of the time. These might include utility rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, among others. If you install this flooring in such rooms, you will start dealing with bubbling, discoloration, and warping sooner than you might think.
If you have to install laminate flooring in such rooms, then do not commit the mistake discussed above. This is the only way to ensure that your flooring remains intact for a long time.
Failure to Check If Your Floor is Level
How does it feel to walk over uneven floors? These are some of the most uncomfortable floors to walk on. You need to be on the lookout for uneven parts of your house where the floor is not level, a potential hazard of foundation issues.
This exercise should take place before you start installing laminate flooring. It plays an essential role in helping you avoid bumps or soft spots in your house. It might be difficult to get a floor that is 100% level. In this case, a tolerance of about an eighth of an inch would be okay.
If you are dealing with an uneven floor, you can use a leveling material and a combination of sanding and grinding to level the floor. This will ensure that you will have a proper installation.
Not Acclimating Laminate Flooring
One of the most important things you need to do before installing laminate flooring is letting it acclimate. This is an essential step since it ensures that you avoid things such as buckling and warping of the floor.
Acclimation allows the laminate floor to remain under the levels of humidity in your house. Different flooring companies have different sets of instructions for this process.
However, ensure that you have spent between 48 to 72 hours acclimating the laminate flooring. Failure to do this will lead to unsightly gaps and buckling of your laminate flooring.
Failure to Use an Underlay
It is important to note that laminate flooring is thin. This means that it might not be able to deal with flexes, bends, and structural issues of your floor on its own. In such cases, it will be uncomfortable to walk on the floor.
To avoid these issues, you need to use an underlay. This is a thin layer made of foam. It works as an insulator and absorber. Its main responsibility is to absorb deviations that might exist on your floor.
Failure to Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions
The process of installing laminate flooring is similar. However, it is important to note that there are different designs and models of laminate flooring. They might require different processes or treatments when being installed.
No matter the model of laminate flooring you choose to install, ensure that you have read and followed the manufacturer’s instructions. This can help you avoid problems later after installation.
As laminate flooring becomes more popular, homeowners should ensure that they have correctly installed their floors. One way of doing that is by avoiding the common mistakes discussed in this article.
