Laminate Floor Peeling: Causes and Remedies

Laminate floor peeling is something that nobody wants to see, especially considering how much some laminate floors can cost. But what exactly causes this to happen, and what options are there to fix it?

When it comes to laminate floor peeling, the best option is to replace the affected floorboards as repairing can be difficult. In some minor cases, you can smooth over the area with wood putty or glue the layer back, but this is only a temporary fix.

Let’s take a look at the structure of laminate, as well as the most common reasons for it to start peeling and what options you have if it happens.

Structure Of Laminate

In order to understand why peeling laminate flooring is so difficult to fix you need to understand the structure of laminate.

Laminate flooring is usually comprised of 4 layers, consisting of a backing layer, a middle high-density wood fibre layer, and then two surface layers which include a decorative paper layer that is protected by an AC layer.

AC in this case stands for Abrasion Criteria which is a system used to categorise how durable the floor is. A higher AC indicates that the floor is more durable, and in the case of peeling it is usually the AC layer and the decorative layer that begin to lift.

What Causes Peeling?

Laminate floor peeling is almost always caused by moisture damage.

If moisture makes its way into the lower layers of the laminate floor, it will cause the high-density wood fibre to expand as it absorbs the moisture. When it expands it can cause separation between this layer and the top paper and AC layers, which can cause the finish of the floor to peel away.

But how does moisture get into the lower layers, considering that the top layers are designed to prevent water from getting inside?

Scratches

Floors such as hardwood and laminate are prone to scratches. While surface scratches are one thing, but if your laminate floor is scratched deeply this can cause an opening where moisture can enter.

You will likely not come across any scratches of this size, but they can happen from time to time, especially when moving heavy objects like furniture. If you notice any scratches that cut through the protective layer, then you should have the floorboard replaced as soon as possible.

Poor Installation

Another reason that moisture may enter your laminate floor is due to poor installation.

If there are any gaps between floorboards or between the floorboards and baseboards then they can provide easy access for moisture. We always recommend paying more for a professional tradesman to fit your floor as it will pay dividends over the long run.

Remember that laminate flooring can last upwards of 20 years, so having it fitted properly is a no brainer.

Subfloor Problems

Perhaps the least common reason for moisture in laminate flooring is due to subfloor problems, which involves a variety of things.

Subfloor problems can range from water leaks, to damp environments such as basements. If there is a presence of moisture underneath your laminate floor then it will become damaged over time, and it will likely be too late to repair by the time you notice the damage.

How To Fix Laminate Floor That Is Peeling

Now that you understand the problems that can lead to peeling, its time to take a look at the options to repair it.

Remember that the first step of action should always be to find the source of moisture using the points above.

Replace The Affected Floorboards

The most sensible option is to replace the floorboards that are affected by peeling.

This is because peeling is a sign of moisture damage deep within the layers of the laminate, which are very difficult to reverse. Even if you decide to repair the surface with wood putty or glue, it will not solve the problem of moisture which causes the peeling in the first place.

By replacing the floorboards you will be able to identify the cause of the peeling as well, which means you can prevent it from happening in the future.

Wood Putty

When laminate floors peel, it is quite common for the peeled area to rip off eventually, which can leave quite the scuff on the surface.

If this happens, one option is to use wood putty to smooth over the area. This does of course depend on the color of your laminate floor, but there are several color options when it comes to wood putty so you should be able to find a color that won’t look noticeable.

This solution is only short term, but it’s good to know if you want to save some money or if you are planning to replace your floor soon anyway.

Glue

Another temporary solution is to use glue to attach the peeled layer back to the floor.

There are lots of laminate adhesives on the market, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding some glue to use. Apply a moderate amount to the back of the laminate and press it firmly back into place, allowing plenty of time for it to dry before you walk over it.

Final Thoughts

The best option for laminate floor peeling is to hire a professional to replace the affected areas and to survey the floor for other moisture damage.

If you are on a budget, or want to use a temporary fix, then glue or wood putty are viable alternatives.