In short, the answer is NO, laminate flooring is NOT waterproof. There is a common misperception out there that laminate is waterproof, and I believe this is due to the fact that many customers mistakenly confuse vinyl and laminate flooring.
Some of its advantages include durability, easy installation, impact-resistance, and water-resistance. But even with all these advantages, laminate flooring usually isn't waterproof, making it more prone to warping, rotting, and bending.
Unlike vinyl, waterproof laminate cannot be fully submerged in water because it is still wood at its core. Laminate flooring is water-resistant from top to bottom, but not always from the bottom to top.
When the water reaches under laminate flooring, the water must be removed immediately. If a small amount of water has leaked toward the edges of the flooring, pull up any quarter-round (shoe molding) or baseboards around the perimeter. If the water is not pervasive, you may be able to extract it with a wet-dry vacuum.
Unlike silicone caulking which simply protects target areas of your floor from damage, coating your laminate floor involves covering the entire surface with polyurethane. Polyurethane protects the surface as well as the cracks of your laminate floor which will increase longevity and water resistance.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are great for waterproofing. These are virtually impenetrable and will not let liquids soak in, allowing for easy maintenance and worry-free cleaning. Ultra-durable. Tile is known for being one of the most durable flooring options on the market.
Water and Heat Resistance
Waterproof vinyl flooring, either in sheets or in planks, is a clear winner here. Laminate flooring has at its core wood. If you know anything about wood, when it gets wet it tends to expand and swell. If that happens, you can try to dry it out, but it never goes back to the original shape.
While laminate flooring isn't necessarily ruined if it gets wet, damage to the laminate can occur within two to four hours of water getting under the boards and can progress quickly.
Depending on the quality of the flooring, laminate flooring can last between 15 to 25 years on average, or longer. Choosing the right flooring for your home is about more than just aesthetics, it's also about durability and strength.
In both of these cases, if your answer is yes, then you're looking at an unstable structure that is quite dangerous, and warrants an immediate call to your laminate floor installers. When water gets trapped under the boards, it creates a dark, moist environment that's ideal for the growth of mold.
Waterproof floors are more durable and can withstand not only liquid spills, but bigger accidents, like floods. Water-resistant flooring is designed to only hold up to small spills that are dealt with quickly.
You can put laminate floors in bathrooms, especially in half baths and small toilets, as it is water-resistant and durable. However, it is crucial to install an underlay to protect it from moisture in the subfloor. You'll also need to use a sealant to avoid water damage.
Do (carefully) mop your laminate floor every two months.
To keep your laminate floors fresh, mop them every two months. Damp mops (a.k.a. microfiber mops) are gentle enough to use on laminate floors. If you're going to use a regular mop, just wring it out until it's almost completely dry.
Yes. Underlayment for laminate flooring provides proper support, stability, noise reduction and helps the click lock system to provide a structurally sound floor.
Unfortunately, laminate flooring is not intended for outdoor use. There are some 'weather-resistant' laminates on the market, however most laminate floors are made strictly for indoor use. The flooring would warp and rapidly get damaged under changing weather conditions and would not last very long.
Warping, buckling, and discoloration are all indicators of water or moisture damage on vinyl floor planks. The crawlspace is an excellent place to look if you suspect that your vinyl floor is getting damaged because of a wet subfloor. Mold can grow on the floor joints if there is a lot of moisture in the air.
There are a few reasons why your laminate floor may be lifting, such as moisture under flooring, lack of proper expansion spacing, improper installation, climate change, or uneven slab or subfloor surfaces. Lifting, buckling, warping, or peaking in laminate flooring is unsightly and potentially unsafe.
If your laminate flooring was glued down, the source of the swelling may not be caused by moisture. After gluing, the joints of the boards may swell slightly as they absorb the water in the glue. This is temporary and often resolves itself in three to four weeks.
Luxury vinyl plank flooring offers all of the benefits of laminate flooring and can legitimately be called waterproof. Luxury vinyl is now available in many, many options, and it has the same easy installation methods as laminate flooring.
Durability. Both vinyl and laminate flooring are extremely durable. Laminate usually lasts for up to 20 years, while vinyl flooring typically comes with a 15+ year warranty. However, you can't refinish or reseal laminate, while you can add extra layers of urethane to vinyl flooring to extend its life.
Laminate flooring also wins out over vinyl when it comes to environmental sustainability. Vinyl is produced using petroleum, which isn't a renewable resource. Its production generates toxic chemicals.
Wood Plastic Core (WPC) is a waterproof flooring that can go over most subfloors. The majority of WPC vinyl plank flooring and WPC vinyl tile flooring are best know for being 100% waterproof.
Laminate, on the other hand, is made out of recycled hardwood, so it is not waterproof. Due to its melamine wear layer, it has a tough finish which resists against scratches and may have minor protection against minor water (quick spills).
Concrete is the most durable floor you can have in your home. Concrete floors are typically stained to order and can look quite lovely.
Can you use a wet Swiffer on laminate floors? Yes, you can use a wet Swiffer or Swiffer WetJet on laminate floors.