What Is The Best Way To Hide A Crack In A Synthetic Wood Tile?
Laminate flooring is a great and cost-effective option for your home, whether you’re building from scratch or renovating. With care and proper installation, it can last you for many years to come.
However, it doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. Sometimes, accidents happen, and whether we like it or not, wearing them will inevitably occur over time, showing cracks and other flaws. Always make sure that your laminate flooring is installed properly but it would really depend on the floor accidents that might occur in the future, click here for more tips and knowledge about flooring and the different types of it.
How to hide a crack in the laminate flooring? Can it be done? Yes, you can hide and repair cracks in laminate flooring. You can use products like wood filler, wood putty, or wood glue, designed to fill and improve minor to more apparent imperfections in the floor without the need to replace the entire floor or the whole laminate plank. Follow these easy steps.
How To Repair Cracks In Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring, or in some cases, laminate countertop (if it’s placed in a kitchen or bathroom countertop), is made of sturdy synthetic material that has a refined look and is easy to maintain. Still, scratches and cracks may surface on the flooring, and these can be mended using wood putty. Follow this guide to use this floor repair tool:
1. Clean The Work Surface
Get rid of the dirt and grime from the laminate flooring using a vacuum cleaner or a broom. Mop the flooring with a solution that includes one cup of dish soap and three gallons of water, or use half a cup of vinegar in three gallons of water. Wash the floor and wait for it to dry.
2. Identify the Cracks
Check your laminate flooring and see all cracks and chips. Even the insignificant chips should be fixed to stop additional damage. Mark the spots on the damaged plank that need repairing, then pick the color of putty you need to buy. Some marks may not need putty and may be fixed with a particular wax crayon. Ensure the crayon’s color is similar to the tone of the flooring. To be assured that the color you take is similar to your flooring, use any colored books to find a swatch resembling your laminate flooring.
3. Sand the Area
Sand the lining of the cracks to make the area smoother and get rid of any accumulated dirt. This will guarantee that the putty will bond well with the flooring. Remove the dust with a moist sponge.
4. Prepare the Putty
You may buy the putty from a hardware store or online store. Prepare it by mixing it with the hardener in the kit. Mix the putty and the hardener using a plastic scraper or a putty knife. Keep in mind that the putty hardens fast, so you only have a few minutes to fill in the cracks in your laminate flooring. Apply several thin layers of filler instead of a large amount at once.
5. Remove Excess Putty
Remove the excess putty by using a damp cloth before the putty hardens. Once the putty is dried up, remove excess with a putty knife or a razor blade. Remember to use the razor blade with caution to prevent scratching the laminate floor surface. Alternatively, you can use putty in repairing cracked tile, floor gap, or uneven floor if it doesn’t require a more severe approach like a floor gap fixer.
6. Allow to Dry
The putty hardens in just a few minutes, but you need to let at least wait for two to three more hours for the filler to totally dry before you step on the restored floor.
If you opt to use wood filler instead, you must first familiarize yourself with its main classifications: Water-based and petroleum-based. Water-based wood fillers are more crumbly in texture, but their consistency can be modified by adding water. In contrast, Petroleum-based wood fillers are smoother in texture and consistency.
Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homeowners looking for the best alternative to solid hardwood flooring. A laminate floor is not only beautiful, versatile, and less costly. It’s also long-lasting and generally hard to scratch and chip.
