How to Prevent of the Warp of Laminate Flooring?

Warp is the most familiar problems of laminate flooring. The most whys of warp is water. Other factors such as bad quality, improper installation, too high temperature and too heavy pressure also make laminate warps.

The swelling rate of most laminate flooring is around 4%. If too much water or vapour enters the support material of laminate, the planks will expand in too big sizes. They will warp since there is no such a big expansion space at the joint. Some bad quality laminate warps even only a little water penetrates its support material. So the points below should be cared: 1. Laminate can’t be used for the place with much water such as bathroom or kitchen. 2. Water need to be cleared at once when it is splashed on the floor and it is in large amount. 3. Regarding the warp problem due to water, water penetrates the support material from the surface for most cases. It is very hard for water to penetrate the first layer, the wearing resistance layer. The most possible “leak” is the joint. Wax can be used on the locking system during production to make laminate much more moisture resistant.  The wax on the locking system resists water to penetrate the core. 5. Some areas are very damp. And vapour often appears under laminate. It will be better to choose thick underlay. Also it will be better if double sides of the underlay are with PE film.

Laminate warps due to rain in many cases, especially the laminate neighouring to window. Many users often forget to close window to prevent rain falling on the floor. So widow should be closed before people leave home or it begins to rain.

Improper installation can bring on warp. So the points below should be cared: 1. The subfloor must even and dry. The water content of subfloor can’t exceed 12%. 2. There must be at least 8mm wide expansion space between wall and laminate. 3. Don’t make the accessory such as skirting press laminate to prevent it floating freely. 4. Step and put furniture on the newly installed laminate floor 24 hours later since the installation.

Too high temperature also can make laminate flooring warps. So use a thick pad to hold things with too high temperature such as working electric iron and then place it on floor.

The warp problem also often happens at heavy traffic place. AC1 and AC2 grade laminate flooring is not suitable for heavy traffic purpose as it can’t bear heavy abrasion and heavy pressure. So only AC3,AC4 or AC5 should be used at heavy traffic place.