Laminate bloating: four main reasons

Laminate is currently one of the most affordable and beautiful flooring, with many nuances of installation and operation. The biggest disadvantage of the material is that it has an increased sensitivity to moisture and can swell. What are the reasons for this?

Incorrect laminate installation

During installation, several errors can be made that lead to bloating:

• There are no expansion joints or, in other words, expansion joints. Their presence during installation is mandatory, this requirement is spelled out even in the instructions. This concept implies a gap between the floor covering and the wall, which should be from 0.8 to 2 cm. During operation and from changes in the atmosphere in the apartment, the laminate can expand and contract, the gap helps to prevent deformation of the coating. Also, it must be done at the junction with heating devices;
• There was no waterproofing of the base. In this case, simply eliminating the swelling will not work, for this you will have to completely remove the coating. As a waterproofing, a film must be laid that prevents moisture from entering the base on the laminate panel;
  instagram viewer
• Bonding laminate strips to PVA glue. The lamellas of almost every manufacturer have a special system of strong locks that reliably connect mechanically. PVA glue increases the moisture of the joint and joints can swell. If it was decided to use the adhesive method, then for its implementation it is necessary to purchase special compositions for the laminate.

Splosh

If in time you do not wipe off excess moisture on the surface of the laminate, then it will seep into the space between the seams and fall under the base. Cheaper coating options do not withstand moisture contact and within a couple of hours begin to deform. Therefore, it is best to process the locking joints of the lamellas with a sealant or wax compound at the installation stage, which will repel liquids.

Soft backing

Laminate is demanding on the quality and thickness of the substrate. It should be tight and thin. For example, for lamellas 7 mm thick, do not take a substrate thicker than 2 mm. If a thicker layer is to be used, the material must be stiff.

If the substrate material is soft, a springy effect is created, due to which the lamellas can open and the coating swell.

The presence of extraneous fixtures

It is forbidden to nail nails to the laminate, screw self-tapping screws, attach moldings and other fasteners. Its installation involves floating technology. Otherwise, the coating will swell and be damaged.