Laminate Flooring & Flooding

Flooding and Flooring

• When flooding occurs, large amounts of water can permeate flooring, whether it be carpeting, hardwood, vinyl or laminate flooring. Water removal services can help to remove the standing water, but residual dampness can cause mold growth that causes serious health problems such as respiratory infections, asthma, eye irritation, skin rashes and other symptoms.

About Laminate Flooring

• Laminate flooring is not made of solid wood. Instead, a layer of high-density fiberboard is placed on top of a moisture resistant layer of material. Then, a high-resolution image of wood grain is placed on top of these layers and then covered with clear resin that is tough and durable. This creates a solid flooring surface that stands up to hard wear and resists staining and abrasion.

Saving Laminate Flooring

• Laminate flooring is not designed to hold up under flooding conditions. Water will penetrate into the high-density fiberboard core, which swells and falls apart. In addition, the water-resistant underlayer can hold water that has soaked into the subfloor and concrete below the laminate.

Drying Out Flooring

• If the amount of water is slight or only in an area near the laminate flooring, you may be able to save your floor. Immediate removal and drying out of laminate flooring is the only way to save the flooring materials. After the laminate flooring is removed, the planks are carefully dried. The subfloor is dried through a combination of heating the room and fans for ventilation. After the area is completely dry, the laminate flooring is inspected and reinstalled or replaced with new planks, as needed. Many flood restoration services offer this service to homeowners dealing with flood and water removal problems.

Repair and Restoration

• In many cases, laminate flooring cannot be saved by drying out the materials. This failure is due to the fundamental design of the flooring, which uses high-density fiberboard, which cannot withstand immersion in standing water. Depending on the amount of water on the flooring material, you may need to replace the entire floor. Consult with a professional water removal service for advice. Mold remediation may also be necessary for wet subfloor areas.