How to Repair Scratches in Laminate Floors

Laminate flooring has been a popular alternative for natural wood for many years. A manufactured product simulating the look of hardwood, laminate wood flooring has improved durability, easier maintenance, and won't empty your bank account. Although resistant to wear, stains, and fading from sunlight, laminate wood flooring is not impervious to a few bumps and bruises throughout the years. Depending on the severity of the scratches, repairing your laminate wood flooring can be a fairly effortless and quick process.

Before attempting repair, check the manufacturer of your laminate wood flooring. Many manufacturers have produced a repair kit for consumer use specifically for the type of floor in your home. If you are unsure of the manufacturer, the local home improvement store should have a generic repair kit that is safe to use with any laminate wood flooring. Repair kits usually contain a tube of putty consisting of either wax, latex, or acrylic. The filler may already match the color of your floor or paint may be included in the kit to manually mix the color. Repair kits can also be as simple as a colored crayon for easy application for smaller scratches.

Filler would be better for deeper laminate floor scratches. The repair kit may come with a putty knife but if it doesn't, pick one up at the home improvement store. Make sure you have chosen the color that is the best match to your laminate wood flooring. Before repair, clean the area of any debris making sure the floor is completely dry. Fill in the scratch and smooth with the putty knife. Remove the excess putty, wiping the area with a clean cloth being careful. Read the repair kit for length of drying time. One of the benefits of laminated wood flooring is the manufactured planks for easy installation and removal. Some scratches can be too deep for a repair kit and may need to have the whole plank replaced. The home improvement store usually has a wide variety of replacement planks. Carefully remove the laminate wood flooring plank and take it to the store for a correct match.

Natural wear and tear on laminate wood flooring is expected over the years. However, precautions can be taken to help the beauty of your floors last:

• Place mats in front of all high traffic areas

• Apply felt pads to all furniture legs

• Never drag heavy objects over the floor

• Never use abrasive products to clean the floor

Sources:

Home Flooring, How To Fix Laminate Floor Scratches, www.homeflooring.info

Mohawk Flooring, How can I remove scratch marks from my laminate floors?, www.mohawkflooring.com

Remodeling 24 Hours, Laminate Floors: How To Repair Scratches, www.remodeling24hours.comThe Laminate Flooring Site, An Introduction To Laminate Floors, www.thelaminateflooringsite.com