How Much Does It Cost To Repair Laminate Flooring?

Laminate Floor Plank Repairs

Repairing a plank floor costs $700 on average. You can't repair laminate except for minor cuts and gouges. For anything larger, like breaks or water damage, you'll need to replace planks.

You'll find three types of fixes for laminate: Redo spacing, replace planks, or use a kit to repair cuts and gouges.

• Replacing planks costs: $300 or more, depending on the time spent on the job

• Repairing gouges costs: $100–$300. DIY kits cost $20 at most home improvement stores. It's tough to match colors precisely and get a smooth, clear coat.

• Redoing spacing costs: $300–$1,200. For warped or loose boards, you'll need to redo the layout of the floor. For best results, hire a flooring contractor.

“Many laminate flooring repairs require removing the flooring from the wall to the damaged area.  If you don't have extra flooring, a risk is that pieces may crack while being removed, and you won't have enough flooring left when reinstalling,” says Andy Kilborn, Expert Homebuilding and Remodeling Contributor. “Make sure you discuss this with your pro, and have a plan if that happens.”

Cutting Out Broken Floorboards

Removing wet or damaged laminate floors costs $1 to $3 per square foot. You'll often need to find a local handyman or demolition crew for a job like this. Most flooring professionals won't do a job like this unless they're also installing a new floor. Most pros wrap that cost into the price of repairing or replacing your laminate floors.

Cutting a board out isn't the best solution, but sometimes the only one. If you're unable to remove planks from the wall nearest the damaged section, you'll need to cut out planks. In this case, your handyman will follow these general steps:

1. Cut out the damaged board with a plunge saw set to only the depth of the board.

2. Modify a new board to remove one of the click-lock sides.

3. Glue that side in while using the other three sides' locking function to hold it in place.

4. Weight the glued-in board for 24 hours until the glue cures.

Laminate Flooring Repair Problems

DIY vs. Hiring a Flooring Professional

If you have the tools and the time, you can replace sections of your laminate flooring. It'll take a full day or two to remove and replace laminate boards. You'll also need a few specialized tools you can rent from most home improvement stores. Click lock style floating boards make the best DIY option. To avoid cracking, warping, or a loose layout, hire a local flooring repair service or handyman near you.

FAQs

Can you DIY repair damaged laminate flooring?

You can DIY repairs for your damaged laminate flooring. But it's not always a forgiving type of floorboard. If you do it yourself, purchase extra boards for any that might get ruined.

How do you replace a damaged piece of laminate flooring?

Replacing one or two pieces of laminate flooring involves removing the damaged boards and installing a new one. The best method for this starts at the closest wall. Remove the trim and pull up boards until you reach the damaged one. Then, replace that board and reinstall any planks you took out to get to that board.

How do you fix a swollen laminate floor without replacing it?

Swollen laminate flooring means it has soaked up moisture. Once this happens, you can't repair it, it'll need to be replaced.

What happens if water gets under laminate flooring?

Water under laminate floors soaks into both the laminate planks and floor sheathing—called a subfloor. If you can dry it out before it soaks in, you'll likely have no issues. Once it soaks in, it'll ruin most laminate floors and can cause mold growth.

How often should laminate flooring be replaced?

Laminate floors last 15 to 25 years, but you might end up replacing it sooner. Some luxury brands can last up to 50 years with proper care.