Damage to your flooring is a nightmare!
There should be no reason for water to get under or in between your laminate flooring but we all know it’s not impossible. Water that is left standing on your flooring may cause problems if not wiped up as soon as possible, however, with today’s technology laminate planks are far superior to that of days, with enhanced protection.
Laminates are highly resistant to water damage if you have purchased them from a reputable retailer, with a warranty in place should damage occur that is out of your control.
Spills on laminates should always be wiped up as soon as possible to prevent the risk of water seeping through the seams and causing damage.
Interested in laminate flooring prices follow the link to our products.
Did you know that you can get an oversized laminate Plank? This plank gives a beautiful appeal to your living space, giving a more natural appearance. As well as being wide it is also thicker than the standard laminate making it quiet underfoot. This particular plank has been impregnated with a wax treatment making it more resistant to water damage. Interested in waterproof laminate flooring click the link to view our products.
Should your pet mess on your laminate, wipe it quickly with warm water, vinegar solution on a damp cloth, rinse and re-wipe to remove excess. Quality laminates are made in such a way that there is a wax protective layer on the edges of the boards, providing maximum protection against water damage.
Insurance Replacing Flooring
If you are insured, remember there are terms and conditions that relate to your insurance policy and find you may or may not be covered in this regard.
Floors, windows, and walls are normally covered by building insurance, while furniture and appliances etc are covered by contents insurance.
Accidental damage is possibly sold as an extra policy. This is for damage that is out of your control, such as weather, or burst pipes.
Assess whether any planks were damaged, remove these. If you’re fortunate enough to have leftover planks from your initial job then the replacement should be easy, if not they can be replaced by your supplier.
This is dependent on the age of the laminates as the locking mechanism may have changed due to updated technology. If it is an insurance claim then it is possible for your whole floor to be replaced should the exact product be unavailable but see the terms and conditions of your policy as stated above.
Look at your insurance policy find out what you can and cannot do. If you want a completely different floor, you should be able to replace it with the same flooring or equivalent value.
But should you require a change from tiles to laminate, carpet or vinyl, or even hardwood? You will probably have to pay the difference, depending on the cost of each.
Some clients may choose CIL (cash in lieu) which is also acceptable, this gives you a chance to try DIY.
Water Damage To Laminate Flooring Insurance Claim
First, you need to stop the leak (switch off the water), use a mop to wipe up any excess water in the area, until you can get assistance.
An appliance might require moving, place towels around it to mop up the water until you can move the appliance.
Flooring that gets wet from a burst geyser needs to be protected until you can get a plumber to fix the geyser.
So wipe up whatever water there is. Then lay towels over the area. Once the towels have absorbed most of the water, using a wet/dry vacuum cleaner can help prevent damage or the damage from spreading through the flooring.
If you can’t find the leak on your own, then contact your flooring contractor or homeowner’s agent should you be renting, to get advice on getting the leak fixed.
Things to look out for should you suspect there is damage to your floor:
An unusual odour like mould, warping or discoloration will occur on the flooring. If you see any of these signs then you should get someone to look at your floor as soon as possible. Try to prevent any of the damage from spreading.
Odour and discoloration signs may be a result of water that has seeped under the laminates or from underground caused by a damaged pipe.
Water Seeping Up Through Laminate Flooring
Common causes are leaks in the ceiling or a crack in the exterior of the home which both permit water to enter. If the water is seeping up through the floor. It could be a result of insufficiently sealed foundations or there could be cracks in the foundation floor.
Signs of water damage:
⦁ Buckling
⦁ Splitting
⦁ Cracking
⦁ Discoloration
⦁ Visible mould
⦁ A musty odour of mould
As stated before, with today’s advanced technology and the way the laminates have been produced, most good quality laminates are water-resistant, but occasional spills should be wiped up quickly to prevent any possible damage. The fantastic quality of laminate flooring is that they are easily replaced due to the click-lock system.
Water-damaged boards can’t be fixed, but they can be replaced.
Assess The Damaged Laminate Planks
The next thing you’ll have to do is determine how extensive the flooding was, and how much laminate flooring needs to be replaced.
Mesure up the room as it’s always good practice as you may find damage you can’t see from the surface.
Note boards that are swollen or warped, and boards that don’t lock in together evenly. Mark damaged areas with a colored piece of duct tape.
Then it’s time to remove the damaged planks. Make sure you have the tools you need to remove and replace the laminate planks, a hammer and a crowbar, for leverage, and a utility knife is always a bonus.
Replace The Damaged Laminate Planks
Once you’ve removed the damaged planks from the affected area, you’ll need to replace them with fresh planks.
If you plan to DIY laminate floors, it’s always wise to consult with a professional about your laminate flooring repairs. Doing so can help ensure you avoid common problems.
What About Mold On Laminate?
Before your laminates are laid, your subfloor should be absolutely clean and dry. This will ensure that no unwanted mould can develop. Even if there is no water there from a previous leak, this has to be checked before you put your flooring down as there may still be spores left and these will then grow and become a problem.
For more information on removing mould for your DIY Flooring follow this link. Interested in the health effects black mould has on us? click this link for more information.
Vinyl Waterproof Flooring
With the many waterproof options available for vinyl flooring you will never have to worry about water damage again. Residential vinyl tiles or flooring is 100% waterproof and has a 20 to 30-year domestic warranty in place.
This product is perfect for bathrooms and kitchens or any room where there may be water usage. As well as being highly durable, there is little to no maintenance on our vinyl sheet flooring products.
Vinyl is simply kept clean by using a soft bristle broom and a soft mop. Vinyl can even be used on commercial flooring and has between a 5 and 10 years warranty.
No longer does vinyl look like plastic, our vinyl flooring has a luxurious antique or coral stone finish with many different shades that look as good as wood or stone. The commercial vinyl tiles are rough-textured to increase slip and abrasion resistance and also have superb acoustic qualities.
Final Thoughts | Damaged Flooring South Africa
Floods may have swept through your house now you are living with damaged laminate flooring in Cape Town. What do you do?
We have taken you through the steps necessary to prevent the damage from spreading, what you need to do if you want to replace the damaged laminate flooring DIY. As well as the types of insurance you need to take out to make sure your flooring is covered from damage by flash floods, burst water pipes or geysers.
There is also 100% waterproof vinyl flooring that you can use for your bathrooms or kitchen area. Or possibly for high traffic commercial space.
All in all a great looking floor is a fantastic way of getting your home looking stylish. Looking after your flooring will go far and save you money in the long run. When looking for flooring, please take a look at our website for authentic products that will guarantee you quality.
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