TIPS:
- After you have found the side where the gaps started, remove the baseboard. You will need to leave an expansion gap, but it shouldn’t be any larger than the width of a quarter. This expansion gap will help keep the laminate from peaking up if it expands. This usually happens in the winter when there is more moisture in the air.
- Clean out any dust or debris that has settled in the spaces.
- Use standard wood glue and not an expanding glue like Gorilla Glue.
- Let the glue dry for at least 24 hours before moving furniture in or walking on it.
PROCEDURE:
Remove the Baseboard
After you have found the side where the gaps started, remove the baseboard.
This can be done gently with a flat-sided crow bar and a hammer. Make sure you leave the finishing nails inside the piece of molding if you don’t want to fill the holes.
Look and see how big the gap between the laminate and the wall is. You will need to leave an expansion gap, but it shouldn’t be any larger than the width of a quarter.
Glue the Joints
Put a small bead of glue in the pieces of the plank that have begun to come apart. These planks are more likely to come apart again, so gluing them will prevent that.
Use standard wood glue and not an expanding glue like Gorilla Glue.
Standard wood glue will dry clear and will only stick where it has been applied. This is incredibly important since you don’t want the glue to come up over the laminate.
Knock the Planks Into Place
After you have applied the glue where you want it, you can knock the planks into place.
This can be done by putting a piece of double stick tape on a block of wood.
Place the wood on each plank and stick it to the surface. Then, you can knock the planks into each other with a hammer on the block.
General Questions
Laminate Flooring
Sometimes, when laminate gets wet, the veneer can bubble up. If the bubble is small, you can poke it with a pin and release the air built up inside. If it is larger, you can fill the bubble with wood glue and push it down to flatten it out.
Wet laminate will eventually dry out but it can take a long time. This is because of the particle board inside.
When laminate stays wet, it can grow mold, so it is best to dry it yourself as soon as possible.
When laminate expands or contracts with the changing of the atmosphere, it will move around. This can cause the planks to come apart and create gaps between them.
This is why it is recommended that new laminate be stored in the intended room for 48 hours. This will help the planks become accustomed to the humidity and atmosphere before they are installed.