Water and high humidity are the biggest enemies of laminate flooring. This beautiful, modern and durable coating can become unusable very quickly. Often it is enough to spill a little water on the flooring, especially if it happened in a room with poor ventilation. But letting the floor look great for a long time is possible. To do this, it is enough to use a special moisture-resistant laminate or its most protected version - waterproof.
Brief description of possible applications
More recently, it was almost impossible to imagine a laminate in the hallway, kitchen and - it was almost impossible. This coating was not used in public places where wet cleaning is often done. Laminate quickly fell into disrepair.
Modern materials are made according to special technologies for waterproof flooring. There are three types of laminate on the market:
- waterproof;
- moisture resistant;
- waterproof.
The first type is relatively simple and inexpensive. This is an ordinary laminate for the floor, each in the castle area and along the end. To create flooring in the room, mastics are offered, which cover the edge of the cut lamellas.
The installed waxed laminate surface resists moisture well in conditions living rooms an average apartment where they do not do wet cleaning several times a day.
With the help of materials with high moisture resistance, it is easy to make beautiful and durable coatings in kitchens, hallways, children's rooms, where spills of liquid are frequent. Also, using special varieties of laminate, you can arrange a bathroom, baths, saunas, as well as - the floor surface of the sites on outdoors, balconies.
Before buying a particular product on the market, you should carefully evaluate the future conditions of its operation. So, moisture-resistant laminate with wax treatment means that the spilled liquid is wiped off, and the increased level of humidity does not spoil the coating. Moisture-resistant material of the middle class, made of wood using a special technology, is able to withstand the effects of water relatively a short time. Completely waterproof laminate is not made from wood-based components.
What are the advantages of coatings with high moisture resistance
Moisture-resistant and water-resistant laminate is very attractive in the eyes of the end user. Materials have an impressive list of advantages. In particular:
- high strength. The coating is not afraid of falling objects. In the bathroom, you can drop jars, combs on it, there will be no scratches from them;
- high humidity does not affect the appearance of the coating. This property has a laminate moisture resistant and water resistant. The surface of the floor will not swell, will not change color;
- the outer layers of the material are specially made with increased grip characteristics. It is almost impossible to slip on the laminate;
- moisture-resistant laminate and its waterproof grades are not afraid of temperature changes, have a reduced expansion coefficient compared to material made using classical technology;
- Water-resistant laminate, made without the use of wood-based components, does not accumulate static, so it practically does not collect dust.
Moisture-resistant laminate and waterproof grades are made only from environmentally friendly materials. During operation, formaldehyde, glue fumes and other substances potentially hazardous to health are not emitted. The material can be used in the nursery.
In bathrooms, baths and saunas, one more property is especially valuable: none of the components of the flooring reacts with water and does not emit harmful substances at elevated temperature.
How to improve the water resistance of laminate
With the advent of new production technologies and basic materials for the manufacture of laminate that are fundamentally different from wood, many owners of apartments and private houses have important question. How to improve the level of moisture resistance already laid on the floor or purchased and ready to lay the classic type of flooring?
There is a fairly simple way to solve the problem. It allows you to get a coating with increased resistance to moisture with a modest investment. You can treat the laminate with a special mastic. It is used for protection interlock connections, and to cover the entire surface of the floor.
Mastics designed to protect the flooring, dramatically increase its performance characteristics. Laminate is much better resistant to water during wet cleaning. At the same time, the aesthetics of the floor also grow. The slats acquire a soft sheen and reflect light.
Processing is not difficult: most compounds are applied to the floor surface with a brush. Each mastic has its own rules of application. But the tactics of work are quite simple: you need to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of a particular protective agent.
Mastics intended for processing lock joints are most often produced in tubes or tubes. Funds are divided into two different class. One only protects the surface from moisture penetration and is most often prepared on the basis of paraffin or wax. Another is able to firmly connect the lamellas to each other, increasing the life of the floor covering.
What is the difference between a moisture resistant laminate and a conventional one?
Recall main feature conventional laminate. It consists of a board external coatings, lower protective layer. The main component for the production of lamellas is MDF. This is a medium-density wood-based board, consisting of the smallest sawdust. They are connected into a single structure with a small amount of glue that is safe for health.
Unlike conventional, moisture-resistant laminate is made using a different technology. The board consists of long, pre-treated wood fibers. They are pressed under high pressure and exposed to steam. In the course of such processing, a connection into a strong structure occurs. In this case, the binding component is the release of resin from wood fibers. Glue is not applied.
As a result of pressing under pressure and at considerable temperature, a board of high density is formed. It is labeled HDF and, in terms of its physical indicators, resists moisture much better. In particular:
- moisture resistant laminate takes up water very slowly;
- when damp and dry, there is no deformation of the board;
- mechanical strength, rigidity of the lamellas is much higher than the coatings made according to the classical technology, which guarantees a long service life.
In addition to the special properties of the board material, the moisture-resistant flooring class is covered with more durable films, and there is also a mandatory anti-slip layer.
Moisture-resistant material is effective when used in the living rooms of an apartment or house. He endures wet cleaning and various fluid leaks. But you can't put it in the bathroom. It does not withstand prolonged exposure to high humidity and the presence of water in the joints.
waterproof floor
Waterproof laminate is not made from wood. His board is polyvinyl chloride with the addition of plastics from another group. Sometimes the so-called mix is used, when granules of a different color or hardness are mixed into the liquid mixture.
- absolutely indifferent to moisture. Its, it easily withstands the effects of rain, temperature changes, operation at a constant elevated level humidity.
- perfect choice for the bathroom. It practically does not change geometry when heated, so the floor will remain beautiful and neat under any conditions.
- can be laid in baths and saunas. One of its varieties (according to the main material of the lamella) is the so-called ship board, very popular flooring for outdoor areas.
It has almost the maximum performance of the service life. Individual varieties are not afraid of abrasion, because they are made of plastic and have a uniform color or color structure throughout the entire thickness.
How to choose the right material
When choosing a moisture-resistant or water-resistant laminate, you need to pay attention to a number of details. They vary depending on the type of material. It is easy to identify by marking. Moisture-resistant flooring is designated as Aqua Resist, it can also be identified by looking at the cut of the lamella. HDF board has a characteristic green tint thanks to a special anti-mold and anti-fungal impregnation.
Waterproof material is labeled Aqua Protect. The difference is visible on the cut of the board. The PVC lamel has not only a characteristic structure, but also compensatory voids in the profile.
Moisture-resistant flooring is selected according to the same rules as classic laminate. The main factor is the strength class. For the kitchen and hallway, it is recommended to choose material marked 33. Such a coating will last a long time, the outer decorative layers are durable and wear-resistant. For living rooms, class 32 is suitable. And for the bedroom, where floor loads are minimal, you can purchase brand 31 laminate to save money.
From the practice of using certain types of coatings, there is some observation. It lies in the fact that the higher the strength class according to the marking, the better laminate resists moisture. This is understandable and physical characteristics boards. The thicker it is, the longer the result of exposure to water will be invisible. Also, the thickness of decorative coatings depends on the strength class.
With waterproof laminate, the choice is both easier and more difficult. The material has no strength classes. It differs in the thickness of the board, as well as the thickness of the profiling walls. The price of coverage directly depends on this indicator.
Waterproof laminate is selected according to the format (geometric dimensions) of the lamellas, their color and pattern. Also, it is easy to buy very interesting artistic solutions. Moisture-resistant coatings can imitate the surface of metal, woven mats, wood, stone, leather, laying of ceramic tiles. With the help of such a laminate, you can get a unique decoration and at the same time - high moisture resistance of the coating.
Gender is important attribute each house, so only the highest quality materials are used in its arrangement. One of the most popular products used in this area is laminate.
This material is obtained from wood, which gives it not only a beautiful appearance, but also high strength. You can get acquainted with the variety of such products in detail on the website https://www.norwik.ru/price_list/vodostoikii_laminat/items?c=vinilpol.
Basic concepts
Laminate is a multi-layer material that is used as decorative coating floors. It consists mainly of different types of wood.
Often upper layer are made from expensive rocks, and all other veins are formed from chipboard or another similar substance.
The disadvantage of the laminate is its low resistance to moisture, which leads to subsequent destruction of the structure. Therefore, experts recommend not to lay the laminate in places with high humidity such as bathroom.
Protection methods
It should be understood that top part the laminate is qualitatively protected from moisture. Therefore, the solution to this problem is to limit the penetration of water into the lower layers, through the joints and connecting locks.
For this, several basic technologies are used:
- by the most effective way protection is the processing of laminate joints with special compounds at the installation stage. Very often, adhesives are used in this case, which allow adjacent elements to be linked together.
- Processing joints after laying. This technique is not particularly effective, but is still practiced by many laminate owners.
Floor protection products can be divided into several groups:
- Sealants. They often include silicone and several additional components. They can be applied both at the stage of installation and directly into the gaps that have formed after installation.
- Wax. The coating of the laminate with compositions of this type can also occur, both during installation and after. In this case, special wax pencils or liquid solutions are used, which must be applied with a brush. Please note that only the ends and slots need to be covered with them, but in no case the entire surface of the board.
To prolong the life of your laminate, you should only use it under optimal conditions. If you need to use it in wet environments, then it is advisable to purchase waterproof products that do not require additional protection.
Wax for laminate makes it possible to extend the life of the flooring. But do not confuse it with means for finishing varnishing. The main purpose of such compositions is to protect interlocks and seal defects that have arisen during operation. Existing species and how to use it in more detail.
When choosing flooring, many people buy laminate. This is due to its many advantages, based on the technology of applying a protective layer and the quality of the composition used. Laminate treated with wax is more common on sale. Thus, protection of a covering against water, attrition is provided.
But even the most solid foundation will not withstand the movement of heavy furniture, the impact of animal claws, heels. During operation, scratches, chips appear. For such cases, solid or liquid wax for laminate is used. The possibility of restoration of canvases significantly increases the service life, and saves money on a complete replacement of the floor covering.
For repair, various means are used:
- pencils;
- pastes;
- liquids.
The composition of such preparations includes wax. This is one area of use. During manufacture, the wax coating of the laminate is applied to the front of the panels, the interlocks are not treated with a water-repellent agent. During installation, gaps remain between the panels. At the time of operation, the joints expand. When washing floors, water gets inside, which leads to swelling and squeaking. Wax for laminate joints helps prevent sad consequences. This means that the life of the floor is extended. This second important area applications.
As a polish, wax is not applied to the laminate. Such a floor covering has a protective layer based on this component. When wax is applied to laminated surfaces, stains and streaks will remain. And the existing factory coating may lose its protective properties. Therefore, special care products are used, which include wax.
Laminate is a durable flooring. But even under intense influence, it loses its original characteristics. The main weak point is the lock connections. Therefore, at the installation stage, you should take care of their protection - cover with wax. The same tool can be used for seams. There is a more expensive laminate with waxed locks. But the cost of this material is quite high. Whether it is worth overpaying is decided individually.
Protective compounds are available in liquid or paste forms. The choice should be made depending on the convenience of work and the purpose of the tool. If liquid wax is purchased, then it should be applied with a brush to the lock joints. Surplus that gets on the front surface of the panels, it is better to immediately wipe with a cloth. Next, the floor covering is installed. The protection provided will prevent moisture from entering the locks.
If a product is purchased in the form of a paste, then the composition is squeezed onto the lock. Assemble the laminate. Excess, appearing in the seams, do not touch until the moment of solidification. After drying, they are carefully removed with a rubber spatula. Then the surface is polished.
Often there are cases when wax is used for grouting. This technology completely seals the coating from moisture ingress into and on the lock joints. In order not to stain the front of the canvases, the edges of the panels are sealed masking tape. The agent is applied to the seam. Surplus is removed. Allow to dry, remove adhesive tape, polish the surface. This process is not easy, but the effect is worth it.
Video: How to fix deep scratch on laminate with extra hard wax
Processing locks and seams protective compounds will avoid swelling of the floors, creaking, deformation of the floorboards.
This tool helps to repair chips and scratches. With a significant mechanical impact, unpleasant defects appear on the panels. To radically solve this problem is to replace the damaged panel. But this option is suitable if the flooring is purchased with a margin. Otherwise, the shade in different batches of the same manufacturer may differ. Therefore, using a laminate pencil is the most acceptable option.
Laminate restoration technology:
- Damage is cleaned from fine dust, dirt. It is important to ensure that the sides of the scratch have an even cut.
- The tool is applied to the defect. If several shades are used, then hard wax is applied as a continuation of the pattern on the canvases.
- Laminate repairs are completed by polishing the surface with a dry cloth.
Such manipulations will help from small and shallow scratches. For large defects, mastics and wax sealants are used.
The material is selected according to the main color of the panel. It's good if the broken part remains. This will make the repair a bit easier. A wax laminate agent is applied to the defect, the chipped area is glued. Surplus is removed. The composition hardens, polished.
There is also a super hard wax on sale. This composition is melted before use. Then applied to damaged areas, polished after hardening.
An important point when choosing a home repair kit is whether the surface will be glossy or matte. Even with small defects, the result will spoil the look. One has only to imagine a matte spot on a glossy floor. It will stand out significantly from the general background.
The best way to repair is to avoid it
In order not to have to change the flooring soon in the future, you should follow a few rules:
- Don't walk in heels on laminate flooring.
- Provide soft pads on the legs of heavy furniture. Especially if you plan to move it. For chairs, armchairs, tables, make rubber or drape thrust bearings.
- Lay a mat at the entrance. It will take away some of the sand and dust brought in from outside.
- When caring for the flooring, do not use abrasive cleaners, scrapers, metal sponges.
- Perform daily cleaning. It is enough to vacuum the floors. The accumulation of sand, dust adversely affects the surface when moving on it.
- If liquid is spilled, wipe it up immediately.
A number of these simple rules will help to avoid difficulties even with simple repairs.
Removing wax from laminate
Often, holidays and aromatherapy are accompanied by the use of lighted candles. If dripping wax gets on the linoleum, removing it will not be difficult. But what if it gets on a wax-impregnated laminate?
There are several ways:
- You can remove the wax from the laminate if it has not yet hardened with a simple soft cloth or napkin.
- If the drops are solid, then they are carefully removed with a plastic knife. The place is wiped and treated with a special tool.
- Heat the drop with a hair dryer and remove the candle wax with a soft cloth.
- Heat pointwise through a napkin with an iron drop. When heated, it is partially absorbed into the paper. Remove the rest with the same napkin. Finished with laminate by special means care.
Do-it-yourself wax removal is easy. Do not use in this process:
- Acetone, which forms stains when interacting with wax.
- Abrasive cleaners. They will leave small scratches.
- Metal sponges and scrapers also deform the protective layer.
Laminate is a decent flooring. Its service life is directly related to how it is cared for. In zealous owners, this species finishing will last a long time, even if the family has children and pets.
Video: Wax crayons and varnish for chips and cracks
Conclusion
In cases with minor defects, repair kits will come to the rescue, which will not be difficult to buy. The market represents a wide range of wax products. The price level plays a big role. It is not recommended to take cheap funds. It is better to choose repair kits from well-known manufacturers. Such compositions will help to qualitatively restore the laminate or produce additional protection seams, lock connections.
Laminate is one of the most common flooring materials. Today it is laid in offices, and in apartments, and in administrative buildings. This coating is not only easy to install, but also beautiful. appearance, sufficiently high strength in some cases. However, the material also has its drawbacks - for example, its vulnerabilities you can count the seams and joints between individual canvases, and even with improper care, lamellas can appear on the surface. Mastic for laminate will ensure the preservation of the beauty of this type of coating.
Laminate is a practical and comfortable material, but it also has its drawbacks. So, he really doesn’t like falling sharp objects on himself, walking on him on thin stilettos, high levels of humidity in the indoor air, etc. Of course, there are types of material that are extremely durable, not afraid of moisture, but, as a rule, , in some cases, not everyone can afford to lay such a laminate. And therefore, ordinary material is used, but afraid of the impact of a number of negative factors.
However, it is quite possible to protect a laminate, even a cheap one, from negative impacts. So, usually for these purposes a special mastic or wax is used. And the joints from moisture can be protected with a special sealant.
Attention! For an inexpensive laminate, it is best to first take care of protecting the joints, and then the entire surface. Since he is most susceptible negative impact moisture trying to penetrate inside the lamellas through unprotected interlocks.
Table. Characteristics of laminate classes.
| Scope of use | Class | Service period, years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living room such as office, living room | Light | 21 | Up to 1-2 |
| Living room such as a nursery, living room | Medium | 22 | 2-4 |
| living quarters such as corridor, kitchen | high | 23 | 4-6 |
| Public spaces such as a meeting room | Light | 31 | 10-12 |
| Public spaces such as office, reception | Medium | 32 | 12-15 |
| Public spaces such as cafes, shops | high | 33 | 15-20 |
Mastic for laminate - a tool that is made from special synthetic substances, designed specifically to protect the material from damage and increase its wear resistance. However, it can be used not only to cover the surface of the lamellas, but also to process the joints and seams of the laid coating, as it is able to resist the ingress of moisture into the lamella.
Advice! It is recommended to use mastic for the first time immediately after laying the coating. So it is better to buy it immediately along with the floor material.
Properties and functions
Mastic for laminate has a number of properties. She is:
- increases the strength of the connection of individual elements of the coating;
- protects the coating from the negative effects of moisture;
- protects it from mechanical damage;
- allows you to keep the coating clean, dust-free, for a longer period;
- restores color brightness and well-groomedness to previously laid panels.
Advice! It is best to buy a mastic that does not contain natural beeswax. This substance has such properties that it will not work to distribute it evenly over the surface without the formation of spots. And such spots will be very noticeable on the laminate.
Despite the fact that coating manufacturers often claim that the material does not need to be further processed, in fact, almost any laminate needs protection. The exception is a really expensive material, which, most likely, had such protection indeed applied, and also has good quality. It is thanks to the mastic that you can significantly extend the life of the coating. And the stores now have enough big choice all kinds of compositions. Their cost varies depending on the brand, composition and a number of other factors, and the range varies between 200-1500 rubles per unit of goods. It is important to remember that it is better to take high-quality mastic - in this case, the risk of problems with the use of the treated coating is greatly reduced.
Any wood flooring needs additional processing, including parquet
However, for a laminate, you can use not only mastic, but also other compounds. Let's get acquainted with them in more detail and find out their advantages, disadvantages and features of application.
sealant
This composition is usually used only to protect the joints of the laid coating from moisture. The best option- a transparent sealant containing silicone at its core. In this case, the seams will be the least noticeable. Seams are processed with a sealant, and moisture will no longer be able to get inside the lamellas and spoil them, thanks to which the material will last long years.
It is important to lay laminate flooring on a flat surface. Otherwise, large differences may occur. Norm - no more than 2 mm per square meter surfaces. The greater the differences, the greater the gaps between the lamellas, and this is a negative factor. If large gaps cannot be eliminated, then sealant should be applied to the connecting locks at the time of laying the coating.
Advice! Excess that has come to the surface can be removed with an ordinary damp soapy cloth.
How to use sealant: instructions
The sealant is not used after, but at the time of laying the coating. You can buy any that will suit the price-quality ratio. Using it is quite simple.
Step 1. It is required to open a tube of sealant and prepare to apply the product to the lock area of the laminated panel.
Step 2 The sealant must be applied to the outer part of the lock, that is, to the panel where this part is located. It is important to distribute the substance in a sufficiently thick layer along the entire length of the castle.
Step 3 The lamellas need to be connected to each other and snap the lock.
Step 4 It is required to make sure that excess sealant has come out on the surface of the laminate. This means that the lock clicked correctly and well.
Wax
There is also a special wax for laminate flooring. It is used to protect the coating for many years and makes the lamellas immune to the effects of negative factors. Wax can be applied with a regular brush during the laying of the coating. Excess substance can be removed with napkins. If the wax is thick and packed in a tube, then it must be applied in a continuous and sufficiently thick layer, and after installing the floor covering, remove the hardened excess.
And again about the mask
Mastic is recommended if the laminate is not damaged, and the main purpose of use is just to protect the surface from future damage. You can buy mastic both in spray format and in the form of an emulsion. Using it is quite simple - you just need to rub it into the surface. You can do this with a sponge. But the emulsion is somewhat more difficult to apply. But it provides much more protection. high level than spray.
Important! When applying mastic, it is important to ensure that unpleasant spots do not appear on the surface of the laminate. Usually they are formed if the composition is poorly rubbed into the surface. You need to rub the emulsion only in the direction of the fibers of the material.
By the way, water-based emulsion is easier to rub. It is simply diluted with water according to the instructions on the package and applied to the floor surface. That is, the floors must be washed with the resulting composition and allowed to dry.
On a note! Mastic can have both a glossy and matte effect. But in any case, she will protect the same. Here you just need to decide how you want to see the floor in the end.
Using mastic: instructions
Step 1. Before applying the mastic, you need to buy it and carefully study the instructions for use. Next, you should prepare the floor - it is important to sweep it, clean it of debris and wash it well, and then let it dry.
Step 3 The mastic must be rubbed with gentle movements in the direction of the laminate pattern. The main thing is to make sure that there are no unsmeared areas or places where the mastic was poorly distributed. It is necessary to process the floors in stages, starting from the far corner of the room and moving towards the exit. Particular attention is paid to the joints of the lamellas.
Step 4 After surface treatment, you need to let the mastic dry, and then remove its remnants by wiping the floors. It is important to remember that, despite the seeming simplicity, this is a rather painstaking work that takes a lot of time.
Advice! After treatment, it is not recommended to walk on the laminate for several hours.
Video - Applying a water-based compound
Scratch Removal
Mastic can be used not only to protect, but also to remove small damage from the surface of the laminate. True, in fact, a special pencil or special wax will cope with this task much better, but if desired and in order to save money, you can get by with mastic. For these purposes, only dense mastic is suitable. And it will be more difficult to work with it, especially considering that you may have to somehow match the shade of the substance to the color of the floor.
To eliminate defects, the mastic is rubbed directly into the damaged area. After that, it needs to be polished, removing excess. Polishing is done with any pile cloth.
Advice! Thick mastic can be applied to scratches with a spatula.
Sealing joints between lamellas
Similarly with fixing the situation with scratches, certain kind mastic can also be used to process joints between individual floor elements. In this case, a wax-based composition is just right. But you will have to control the process of applying such a mastic and make sure that it does not get on the surface of the coating or does not linger on it - its place is exclusively in the area of locks and joints.
It is necessary to apply the mastic in the area of \u200b\u200bthe joints with a small soft spatula, and what turns out to be redundant is important to quickly (before the substance hardens) to remove cleanly with a damp cloth. After the end of the process of applying the substance, the surface is polished.
Advice! It is recommended to work with any kind of mastic only in a respirator. Mastic is a rather toxic composition that can cause poor health. But dried mastic is absolutely safe for both humans and pets.
Mastic is a great option to extend the life of your laminate. However, it is worth remembering that the laminate still needs special care, and even if there is a protective layer, it is recommended to handle it carefully and in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Otherwise, the mastic will not be able to perform its functions, and the processing of the floors will be a useless exercise.
Laminate is one of the most popular floor coverings in use today. Outwardly, it is very similar to a parquet board, in addition, it has a large selection of color palettes, anyone can find for themselves suitable option. This material has excellent outward signs, successfully imitating natural wood. The process of laying this type of coating is not associated with any difficulties.
Laminate flooring is strong and reliable material, which is a multi-layer fiberboard with a high density of glued waterproof wood board.
Laminate is a very strong durable material. It is quite easy to take care of him. Therefore, the operation process is associated only with positive emotions. Floor covering of this type is particularly practical. Unlike parquet board, the laminate belongs to the low price category. Of course, this kind of material has many positive characteristics, but so that it does not bring troubles and problems, the main provisions and installation rules should be strictly observed. The handling of laminate flooring after installation is essential.
To ensure that the installation work is not fraught with difficulties and inconveniences, you should prepare all the necessary attributes:
- face respirator;
- gloves to protect against pollution;
- spatula with rubber base;
- soft sponge;
- any non-rigid fabric.
Grinding locks and seams
Schematic diagram of a laminate floor.
Laminate is included in the category of coatings having a high degree wear resistance. He is not afraid of increased loads. To make the laminate happy for a long time with its beauty, in rooms suggesting increased load on its base, it is necessary to lay the material corresponding to the increased class of fortress.
And even if this condition is met, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the castle structures. This should be kept in mind during installation. Careful handling of compounds of this kind should be a prerequisite.
Sometimes cracks, scratches, chips appear in the panels. To return surfaces original view, you can use putty and wax. The first of these materials covers deep cracks, the second polishes the surface to the desired state.
Wax floor restoration
Despite the strength of the laminate, improper use can easily bring such a coating out of its normal state.
The outer coating and locks can be protected with a special wax.
Laminate floor tamping pattern.
The main factors leading to damage to the outer layer of the laminate include various mechanical influences such as walking on the floor in heels and, of course, high humidity air. The lower the price of such material, the worse its quality will be. Even an unsuccessfully dropped item will leave chips, scratches and dents on its surface.
A wax pencil will help to make such damage invisible. As a result of its use, you can not resort to a complete replacement of the panel. Such pencils can be of different shades.
In addition, the main advantage of using such a tool will be to protect the surface of the laminate from the possible penetration of moisture into open space. Wax pencils perform a decorative and protective function. They also create a kind of barrier that protects the laminate from shock, overheating, and getting wet. Once the interlocks have been processed, the laminated board should be laid in the usual manner.
Waxing seams
Laminate floor plan.
As you know, one of the most sensitive areas of the laminate flooring are lock structures. They are devoid of a protective base, so they can be easily damaged due to regular exposure to dampness coming from outside and from the floors themselves. Joints as a result of waxing acquire protective film, so they are not afraid of moisture. Such a pencil should be used only in places of castle connections. As a result of such influences, the following can be achieved, i.e. such processing solves other problems:
- enhances the strength of castles, makes them unchanged due to the impact of heavy objects;
- helps to lay the laminate easily and without much effort;
- does not allow the subfloor to creak.
Now you can buy laminate with waxed locks, but their price will vary significantly. On the one hand, such a purchase will be profitable, because it will not be necessary to spend time processing seams, on the other hand, such material should be chosen very carefully, since under wax impregnation may hide small defects, manufacturing defects.
Thanks to the wax sticks, you can protect your laminate floor from various influences such as moisture, heat or shock.
To significantly save money, you can buy a sealant, which just consists of wax. Before installation, treat the locks with this composition. Problems with the purchase of sealant should not arise, because most of the manufacturers are engaged in the simultaneous release of laminate care products.
Scratches that have arisen during the installation process can be treated with a wax pencil, which is sold in construction stores. Such a tool will help restore the laminate, eliminate surface chips.
In case of severe damage to the surface of the laminate, the wax must be applied in a thick layer in several layers, each of which must dry out, and then they must be polished. Such a wax-based pencil, before being applied to the surface, must be melted, then lubricated with a hole and dried. Prior to treatment, a degreasing agent must be applied to the floor and cleaned well. The right color of the wax pencil will make the scratch invisible.
You can process the laminate after laying with a special mastic and emulsion, which include wax, paraffin, polyurethane. These funds create protection, a kind of barrier on the floor surface. Then the laminate will not be afraid of dampness, accumulation of dust on its surface and between the seams.
Scheme for sealing cracks and sanding a wooden floor.
After laying the laminate, you need to thoroughly clean its surface, you can use a vacuum cleaner. Everything, even the smallest motes, must be removed. Do not allow dust to enter the space between the panels.
We note such a feature that all materials made on a wax basis should be used only for processing locks, since the wax applied to the laminate leaves stains and ugly marks.
The mastic is applied with a rubber spatula to the joints of the laminate panels. Excess funds should be removed, then polish the treated surface.
Throughout the work, you should take care of the safety of the respiratory system: this agent will actively evaporate during such manipulations. You should wear a respirator. Once the surface has dried (approximately 4 hours), it is recommended that the entire surface of the floor be cleaned.
Special polish for laminate
The scheme of laying parquet on the screed.
After laying the laminate flooring, you can give a special gloss, freshness and smoothness. This can be done with the help of certain means.
As soon as the laying is done, the laminated panels are rubbed with a polish. Forms of issue of these funds may be different. This is both a solid mastic and liquid substance in the form of a spray. Polish does not need to be rubbed hard into the floor surface. special attention deserve areas with traces of significant damage.
Floor treatment in this version is very necessary. In order for the product to lie evenly, it is important to use a sponge or soft cloth. The mastic is applied along the lamella line, this eliminates the appearance of ugly divorces and stains. After laying the laminate, surface treatment with mastic or emulsion is often associated with a significant investment of effort and time. However, the result of the application speaks for itself.
The scheme of applying glue to the laminate during restoration.
The base of the laminate can be glossy and matte, as it should be with the processed products. Therefore, it is recommended to choose them based on the properties of the surface of the floor covering. So, glossy mastic will suit the corresponding type of laminate, matte will be superfluous here. If the selected material and coating do not match, the floor will look messy.
As soon as the process of laying the laminate is completed, any agent should be applied. This should be done, as a rule, twice within one year. Such procedures will help keep the laminate in a fresh, smooth form. As a result of constant walking on the surface, exposure to sunlight, the floor will look flawless and delight with beauty, practicality and magnificence for a long period.
Features of processing joints with sealant
After laying the laminate, gaps may occur. They are sealed with a special sealant solution. It is a kind of putty for processing gaps. Features and application technology are the same as those of the previously discussed products.
However, the sealant is more elastic, perfect, moisture resistant material. It contains silicone, which is confirmed by its durability and reliability. The sealant is not afraid of high temperatures, provides an ideal seal of gaps, seams between laminated panels. When choosing the color form of such a material, care should be taken that its tone matches the shade of the laminate, then the traces of processing will remain invisible.
Laminate flooring is a practical base for any floor, it perfectly decorates the room, gives it a sophisticated and rich look. Well-chosen to match the room flooring looks luxurious and neat. To maintain it in its original state, no special skills and efforts are required. Protecting the laminate with special means will make it invulnerable, it can be washed with water without fear, as the joints are reliably protected. In order for a laminate floor to serve for many years, it must be treated.