Laminate is a sturdy choice of flooring, but it is not immune to getting the odd chip or dent, especially over time. Fortunately, if a chip appears in your flooring, it is relatively easy to fix.
Chips in flooring made from laminate can be caused by a number of things. Dropped items are often responsible, and small dents or cracks may encourage chips to develop. Chips located in the corners of the laminate planks may indicate that flooring has not been fitted properly, particularly if these appear not long after installation.
Options for fixing your flooring
According to SFGate, you can repair unsightly chips in laminate using an acrylic filler or putty filler. These can be purchased from DIY stores or flooring centres, but try to choose products that are designed for use on flooring made from laminate. Check that the filler or putty you select is the same colour as your flooring, or is a little bit lighter. Bring a spare plank of laminate with you to colour match.
It’s worth bearing in mind that if your floor is extensively damaged, it might be an idea to consider getting new planks of laminate flooring. This will much likely depend on weather it is for personal use or if it’s a business like a rental property. Most landlords ill follow a duty of care before letting the next customer move in to make sure it’s of the highest standard. They will do a full inspection of the property by using an Inspection app on their tablet or mobile device which was probably sourced from links like https://propertyinspect.com/
Cleaning the floor
Before you tackle any chips in your flooring, clean the chips and surrounding area with a damp, lint-free cloth. Let the floor dry before you apply the filler.
Applying an acrylic filler
If you’re using an acrylic filler, insert the tip of the tube into the opening of the chip. Squeeze the filler in the chip until it covers the entire surface. If the chip is larger than 1/4 inch in diameter, apply up to four layers of filler, allowing each layer to dry for around four hours between each application.
Use a finger or wet rag to smooth the surface of the filler, and allow it to dry for four hours before walking on the flooring.
Applying a putty filler
If you decide to use putty to fix your flooring chips, use the tip of a putty knife to spread putty from the container into the chip. Make sure to smooth over the putty once you have applied it, so that it is flush with the flooring surface. Again, allow the putty to dry for around four hours before walking over the floor.
