Easy Methods for Repairing Laminate Flooring Scratches, Splinters and Dents
Scratches
Scratches in laminate floors can often be filled in with a little bit of wood putty that is similar in color to the floor. Use a putty knife to fill in the cracks, and then clean the area with a dry cloth to remove any residue. You should put some type of seal over the wood putty to protect the repair; clear nail polish can be an excellent solution if the scratch on your laminate floors is small.
Another option is to check with the manufacturer to find out if they sell scratch repair pencils. This pencil is made of a waxy substance that is color matched to your specific floor. You “color” over the area in your laminate flooring that has the scratch and small bits of the pencil fill in the scratch. Consider purchasing one of these pencils if available when purchasing your laminate floors to take care of any scratches as they appear.
Splinters
If a splinter has dislodged from your laminate flooring, save it to repair your floors. Begin by cleaning the hole left from the splinter as well as the splinter itself with a 1 to 4 white vinegar and water solution. Use an old toothbrush to apply the solution, working it into the cracks and continuing to clean the area until all grime around the splinter is removed. Allow both the splinter and the laminate floors to dry.
With both pieces dry and clean, apply a small amount of wood glue to the hole in your laminate flooring left by the splinter. A cotton swab or small paintbrush is an excellent tool for the job. Then carefully push the splinter into place. Remove any glue that has seeped out with a damp cloth.
To make sure that the splinter dries in place, put a sheet of wax paper over the completed repair. Then stack several books over the wax paper and leave them there for at least eight hours.
Holes
Holes in laminate flooring created by dropping objects or even splintering that was not quickly repaired is an easy fix. Begin by contacting your manufacturer to find out if they sell a laminate flooring filler that is color matched for your floors. Most manufacturers sell a small tube that will fill in and conceal any small dents in the floor, based on the flooring that you have installed. If the manufacturer does not sell a color matched filler, go to a home improvement store and buy the filler that best matches your floor.
When you have gotten the filler, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to use it on your laminate flooring. Most require that you use a small putty knife and force as much filler into the hole in your laminate floors as possible. Then you should allow it to dry and lightly sand just the area containing the patch. Wood putty can also be used instead of a filler, but should be sealed after and carefully matched to the floors.
Most laminate flooring damage can easily be fixed by using one of these methods. The only exception is if the damage is extensive, and over large areas of flooring. In these cases, it is best to replace the affected area with new laminate flooring. For this job, consider calling a professional or at least the manufacturer of your laminate floors for suggestions.
