What does water damage look like on laminate flooring?

Author: Aida Wunsch  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 9, 2024

While some color changes may be subtle, others will be more noticeable as you walk around the room. Use a flashlight, shining the beam at an angle to the planks, to be able to see color changes better. Aside from discoloration in the flooring installation, damage from water can cause planks to become loose.

How can you tell if laminate flooring is water damaged?

It shouldn't be too hard to spot water damage on your laminate flooring when looking for the following:
  1. Discoloration.
  2. Visible mold.
  3. Splitting.
  4. Buckling.
  5. Cracking.
  6. Musty odors.

Can water damaged laminate flooring be repaired?

Depending on the type of floor you have, there may still be laminate flooring water damage. Occasional spills should be nothing to worry about. But if your floor is submerged or stays in contact with water long enough, it can swell and break down. Water damaged boards can't be fixed, but they can be replaced.

How long does it take for water to damage laminate flooring?

Though laminate flooring industry specifications dictate tests for laminate flooring and water where the flooring is submerged under water for a full day, irreversible damage happens long before that. Laminate flooring with open edges will maintain its original dimensions for a few hours after submerged water exposure.

What happens if water gets into laminate flooring?

Water damages laminate planks by soaking into the layers. Once inside the boards, it causes them to swell and warp. It also weakens the glue that holds them together and they can eventually fall apart.

Damaged Laminate Flooring Repair - DIY - How to Fix Water Damaged Laminate Flooring - Pet Pee

Will water under laminate dry out?

Water under your laminate flooring can cause severe damage if not dried quickly. Laminate flooring is relatively easy to install and maintain, but there are a few things you need to know about how to dry laminate flooring with water under it.

How do I know if my floor has water damage?

The most common symptoms you may see in water damaged floors are surface or structural issues. You may notice areas of discoloration in the wood, including dark or light patches, or finish that is blistering or peeling off the floorboards.

Will mold grow under laminate flooring?

Improper installation: If the laminate flooring is not installed correctly, it can create gaps or spaces that allow moisture to seep in and promote mold growth. High humidity: High humidity levels can promote mold growth, particularly in areas where ventilation is poor.

How long does it take for mold to grow under laminate flooring?

How Long Does It Take for Mold to Grow Under Wet Laminate? It only takes as little as 24 hours for mold to start growing under wet laminate flooring, if the water is dirty, it has come from a dishwasher, outside groundwater, a toilet or dirty carpet it can start growing bacteria even quicker, in as little as 12 hours.

Can you get water stains out of laminate flooring?

To remove water stains on laminate flooring, you need a mild solution. Mix a cup of vinegar in a bucket of warm water. Mop the floors as you usually do with the mixture. Rinse off afterward with plain water.

What to do if water gets under laminate?

Water under laminate flooring

If the spill isn't too bad, you might be able to extract it in time with a wet-dry vacuum. However, we recommend you err on the side of caution and remove and replace as many floorboards as were affected.

Why does my laminate floor feel spongy?

Laminate flooring is very thin, so any unevenness on the subfloor will eventually begin to show as the floor settles into position – you can find out more about this in our 'What is laminate flooring' guide. The spongy effect can be caused by a dip in the subfloor causing an air gap underneath the laminate flooring.

How do you know if you have mold under laminate flooring?

What Are the Signs that Mold is Growing Under Your Home's Floor?
  • A musty odor. This odor can suggest that mold is growing in your home. ...
  • Visible water stains. Water stains can be an indicator of the presence of mold, as mold growth is often a result of water damage.

Will water under vinyl dry out?

However, in the event of flooding or a bad sewage leak, standing water beneath vinyl plank flooring won't dry out on its own due to too much condensation that has collected between the vinyl planks and substrate or underlayment.

How do you fix swollen laminate flooring without replacing it?

Using a knife, you may then make a slight incision in the affected area. Grab some wood glue, squeeze it into your incision, and then attempt to stick the laminate back down flat. You'll need to keep constant pressure on the area for the glue to hold, so find a heavy object that you can leave on it to weigh it down.

What does mold look like on floors?

Sometimes mold on flooring is readily visible to the naked eye. You might notice patches of discoloration (usually black or green, although mold can grow in a variety of different colors) with a slimy or fuzzy texture.

What kills mold under flooring?

Treat exposed molded subflooring with a mixture of 1 cup of borax and 1 gallon of water or an EPA-registered mold removal product. Spray the solution on the moldy plywood. You can also soak affected subflooring with a brush broom. Wait 10 minutes, scrub the area, and repeat the process two more times.

How do I know if I have mold under my floor?

Watch Out For These Signs
  1. Musty Smells: Musty smells throughout your home are a clear indicator that there is mold present somewhere. ...
  2. Spongy Flooring: If you walk across your wood flooring and notice that it feels spongy or squishy beneath your feet, you most likely are dealing with mold.

How do I know if my subfloor has mold?

If you encounter a strange pungent, musty, earthy smell in certain parts of the house, you might have a mould infestation. The scent is reminiscent of decaying organic matter, hence unpleasant to your nose. Close examining the floor area with the strongest musty smell can reveal another sign of a mould infestation.

What to do if you find black mold under flooring?

Add one cup of bleach to one gallon of water and apply it to the moldy spots. You can also find commercial black mold removal products. Soak a paper towel in the cleaner and press it over the mold growth to dampen the area. Then start scrubbing.

Is water damage always visible?

It goes without saying that not all damage is going to be visible. Water can leak in hidden places like the inside of the walls which you'll likely not notice unless and until some severe damage has been done. This is why you need to do some up close inspection to detect damage.

What does water damage look like?

As noted above, water damage will usually leave walls soft to the touch, or otherwise warped, buckled, and crumbled. It also tends to cause a musty smell and dark brown or yellow-tinted stains, lines, or rings in both ceilings and walls.

How long does it take for water damage to show?

Q: Does water damage happen immediately? A: No, it takes 1 hour to a full day before water begins to damage your home's infrastructure. You'll notice signs like bulging, cracking, and swelling in furniture or drywall that has been affected.

How does water get under laminate?

Laminate floors are installed with expansion gaps to allow them to expand and contract as needed. This is necessary, but also leaves room for water to seep underneath and cause some real problems. It is much more likely that there will be damaged boards if water finds its way underneath.

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