How To Waterproof Laminate Flooring In Easy And Effective Steps

Laminate Flooring is a really incredible way to not just flaunt your floors adorably and with the most realistic designs of high-end luxury floors but also to have the most promising serviceability. Over and above, Laminate Floors feature a greatly resilient build quality too, so they are meant to function well under all circumstances.

Since we’re talking about the resilience factor of Laminate Flooring, it all does come down to staying tough against moisture or the damage caused by moisture to be more specific. Laminate Flooring, according to its structural comprehension, is water-resistant to some degree, however not fully waterproof. That’s because it comprises recycled wood materials and MDF substrates and is then pressed into layers, (which in fact, is the reason for the referring term, i.e. Laminate meaning “layers”).

And now that we’ve got to acquire rather completely efficient functionality out of Laminate Flooring, essentially the one that doesn’t get affected by water damage in any way. There arises a need for “waterproofing” the Laminate Flooring and having it achieve the property, it doesn’t feature otherwise.

Pro Flooring Guide, your ultimate guide about flooring has got you covered in this regard as well, providing you with every bit of what you need to know regarding “How to Waterproof Laminate Flooring?”.

Let’s get started!

Popular Ponderings About Waterproofing Laminate Flooring

Now before, we jump on to the methods of “How To Seal Laminate Flooring”, here are some of the interesting and frequently asked concerns about Laminate Flooring. Plus, they can give you clear info if you’re a novice to using Laminate Flooring.

Is Laminate Flooring Water-Resistant Or Waterproof?

What makes this question a real thing is the fact that many people confuse water resistance with waterproofing, which as a matter of fact, are two completely different aspects of flooring and can never possibly mean the same.

Let’s take a look at the key differentiation.

Is There Something Such As Waterproof Laminate Flooring?

• Laminate Flooring can’t be waterproof structurally due to the fact that it is made from recycled materials

• It is possible to waterproof Laminate Flooring from the top, but not from below since it comprises a Melamine layer

• The topmost layer of; Laminate Flooring is a Melamine wear layer and is its resistant finish is made to endure scratches as well as minor extents of moisture

Is Laminate Flooring Susceptible To Water Damage? 

It definitely is, in the first place. That’s because Laminate Flooring is made of wood fibers or let’s say recycled wood and while the topmost eco, pet, and children-friendly Melamine layer can be highly resistant to wear or other forms of damage, the core certainly isn’t that tough.

Here are some explanations for this,

• The click-and-lock system of Laminate Flooring is not a very secure structure of joints, rather there are seams in between, which serve as a passage for water flow. This results in water reaching out to the fiber core and eventually the bubbling up of Laminate Planks, extreme and often irreversible damage.

• If Laminate Flooring is made from a wood fiber containing high moisture content, there are major changes for a weak adhesion of the Melamine wear layer.

• Laminate Flooring, unlike others, has a top to bottom resistance against water, which is the opposite of bottom-to-top resistant floorings. This implies the need for a water barrier atop the underlayment if you’ve got a subfloor with water problems.

• Once a Laminate Flooring has been water-damaged, there is no potential fix to the situation except for the replacement of planks, and procedures like sanding and refinishing don’t work at this point, either.

How To Seal Laminate Flooring?

Necessity is the mother of invention and in the same way, we can create what we don’t get by default. And with that said, what we are up to now is the ways in which we can achieve the waterproof functionality from Laminate Floor, with just a few simple and smart steps.

Utilizing Silicone Protection

• Silicone being a malleable and highly flexible material serves as the binding element for Laminate Flooring.

• Therefore, it can be effectively used to seal those gaps that act as a passage for water penetration and eventually result in damage.

• Always make sure to use the Silicone sealant that’s particularly designed for your flooring as any incompatible usage can result in damage to the Laminate Flooring.

• Red Devil 0820 Silicone Sealant, GE Sealants & Adhesives GE112A All Purpose Silicone 1 Sealant, and J–B Weld 31312 All-Purpose RTV Silicone Sealant Adhesive are some of the good sealant recommendations that you can consider getting for your floors.

Expansion Gap Caulking

• Caulk serves as a protecting barrier against water penetration through Laminate Flooring. Besides moisture, it also saves the flooring from damage caused by smoke and dust.

• All you need to do is caulk all the expansion gaps present in your flooring and have them protected against several harmful factors.

• Caulked surfaces are a lot easier to be painted, something you can’t find by using a Silicone Sealer.

• Sashco 10008 BigStretch Caulk, ClickSeal Click Joint Sealant and ColorSeal Oak are some of the good caulk item recommendations that you can consider getting for your floors.

Polyurethane Top Coating

• While it might seem somewhat unnecessary to have a top coating on your Laminate Flooring, doing that can totally change the way your Laminate Flooring works and lasts.

• Also, it’s an excellent way to give a smooth and glossy finish to Laminate Floors, which is a particular perk for Laminate Floors giving off realistic wood floor designs.

• Polyurethane is the all-time best recommendation when it comes to protecting Laminate Floors against damage caused by water.

• Polyurethane Coats to be applied by a mop since the resin coating present on Laminate Flooring can make it difficult for the Polyurethane to adhere the way it’s supposed to be. Also, ensure maximum time for drying.

• Always get the Polyurethane that is compatible with the type of your flooring, or at best the one recommended by the manufacturer. To ensure a double coating for adequate results.

Locking Mechanism Sealing

• PVA Type II Glue is used in order to seal the locking mechanism of Laminate Flooring, an effective way to protect it against moisture damage.

• When getting PVA Type II glue, get the one in bottled packaging and which shouldn’t be squeezing out way too much product in a single attempt. Otherwise, you’ll be left with a really messy situation, i.e. dried adhesive spots all around.

• The PVA Type II glue essentially goes over the adjoining (meeting) point of two Laminate Planks. This implies the fact that locking mechanism sealing should preferably be done at the time of flooring installation.

• Another advantage of sealing the locking mechanism of Laminate Flooring is that it makes it a lot easier to lift the planks, in case there arises a need to do so, for maintenance purposes.

Hydroseal Application 

• “Hydro Seal” is something that is applied to the grooves of Laminate Floor as well as to its surface, therefore enhancing the resistance extent of Laminate Flooring.

• Hydro seal coating actually works in a manner similar to the Hydro Seal Technology (a water-repellent coating meant to restrain water penetration through the floors and to grooves), which makes it a waterproofing addition to your flooring.

• Hydro seal coating is an essential and super effective protectant element for Laminate Flooring which offers another major advantage of increasing the lifespan of Laminate Flooring, essentially up to an entire decade.

• Hydro Seal coating is one of the most efficient ways of waterproofing Laminate Flooring since it guarantees maximum functional and durability results.

Additional Tips And Tricks On Waterproofing And Maintaining Laminate Flooring 

Take these factors into account and you can absolutely ace getting the best Laminate Flooring for yourself, as well as making the most out of your existing one.

• Invest in Waterproof Laminate Flooring, as the cost is totally worth the benefits. It will save from reasonable maintenance expenditures on the flooring and will give you the best value for your money.

• You can find good discounts on a number of Waterproof Laminate Floorings, offered by many manufacturers, these days.

• An appropriate and accurate cleaning is the key to making your Laminate Floors last long and increasing the extent of serviceability, as well. Ensure cleaning your Laminate Floor at regular intervals.

• Clear out even the slightest spills and splashes then and there, since any prolonged contact can result in huge damage over time.

• Look for leaking plumbings and appliances, basically any source of water damage for your Laminate Flooring. Consider fixing them right away.

• Try to keep dirt and dust at bay, as much as possible. You can achieve this by placing welcome and doormats and by not walking over the floors with shoes.

• Address all the moisture problems of your subfloors before proceeding with the Laminate Flooring Installation.

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Okay To Put A Clear Coat Over Laminate Flooring?

Applying a clear waterproof sealant atop Laminate Flooring is quite an effective and amazing idea to not just seal the whole Laminate floor surface but also to save it from a lot of damage. A Polyurethane coating is the best example in this regard which keeps a lot of damaging aspects at bay. As for the application, you can either go over the entire floor’s surface with a paintbrush or paint roller or can also go for the application of the clear coating on individual Laminate Planks.

What Sealants Are Used For Laminate Flooring?

Silicone Caulking and Polyurethane Coating are the two major types of sealants that are mostly used for Laminate Flooring, due to highly favorable outcomes. However, no matter which sealant you consider using for your Laminate Flooring, it’s always the safest approach to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for checking compatibility. And if you don’t want to use either, you can always stick to the one that’s recommended by your flooring manufacturer since that’s the most fool-proof choice of all.

Can You Wax Laminate Flooring?

Waxing is not, under any circumstances, a recommended thing for Laminate Floors since it can lead to dulling out of the Laminate surface, eventually making the situation worse enough to not be restored. While waxing might be a mandatory element for hardwood floors, it does more harm than good when used on Laminate Floors, as it gets to leave a residue which in turn attracts dirt buildup. And the endpoint is a really unpleasant-looking Laminate Flooring with a cloudy film on top.

How To Protect Laminate Flooring In The Bathroom?

Waterproof Silicone Caulk is what you’ll be needing for protecting your Laminate Flooring in the bathroom, right after its installation. Silicone being a highly flexible and impenetrable material, efficiently prevents the passage of water from the flooring, something you can’t possibly obtain from using standard floor grouts that are made from sand and cement. This way, not only does your Laminate Flooring perform significantly better but is also guaranteed of lasting long when aided by a Waterproof Silicone Caulk.

Is Laminate Flooring Okay To Be Used In Bathrooms?

It’s actually quite okay to use Laminate Flooring within bathrooms since it comes with a relatively water-resistant structure in the first place. However, any such installation can only prove favorable if you remain extremely considerate about your flooring’s contact with water. This means to be careful about any spills and splashes happening and to clear them out right away. Besides, Laminate Flooring is really easy to clean so maintaining it, even on a daily basis won’t be an issue for you.

What To Put Under Waterproof Laminate Flooring?

Waterproof Laminate Floorings, in most cases, come with an attached underlayment, so you don’t really need to get that additionally, in the first place. However, in an otherwise situation, i.e. when you get a Laminate flooring without an underlay, then you must consider buying it and placing it underneath your flooring, so as to not just keep the damage away but also to enjoy better insulation and noise reduction across your place. Besides, you can ensure the rest of the protection by using a Waterproof Silicone Caulk.