Help: I Can't Get My Laminate Flooring to Snap Together

Tools

• A pull bar can help with laminate flooring installation. This is a metal bar that has a tab on one end pointing up and a tab on the other end pointing down. Lay the pull bar across the planks you are trying to connect with the down-turned end against the outside edge. Tap gently on the up-turned tab with a hammer to bring the planks together safely.

Warping

• Laminate floor planks can warp while still in the packaging if they are exposed to direct sun or moisture for long periods of time. This can put a slight bend in the laminate planks and prevent proper installation. Allow the laminate to sit in your home for two to three days before opening the packaging. The material will acclimate to your home's environment and likely flatten out.

Carpeting

• Laminate needs a hard, flat surface to click into place properly. Carpeting can get caught between the tongue-and-groove system, and prevent proper installation. Pull all carpeting up and if necessary install a hard, level subfloor before installing laminate flooring.

Cutting

• When you cut laminate flooring planks, use a power saw with a fine-toothed blade. Sawing by hand, or using a coarse saw blade, will damage the tongue and groove on each plank, and make it difficult to click the pieces into place.