Mistakes when laying laminate flooring yourself

Over time, laminate flooring is becoming a more popular and affordable option. Durability and beauty are two main features characteristic of it. The possibility of self-installation also attracts buyers.

The most common mistakes when laying laminate flooring

The assembly process must be approached seriously; when installing, it is advisable to follow the recommendations of specialists. Otherwise, mistakes may be made, and as a result, cracks may appear in the locking joints and creaks when walking. They are usually detected some time after shrinkage; it will be quite difficult to correct errors.

Improperly prepared surface

Laminate consists of crushed wood, and when exposed to humidity, it changes its geometric parameters. Therefore, before laying the laminate, it must be heated until it takes the desired shape. The laminate is kept for at least 24 hours at a temperature of 18–24 C and a humidity of 40–60%.

At the same time, we wait for the concrete base of the room to dry completely. The concrete floor must be well dried, the main thing is not to rush, otherwise haste when installing on an under-dried base will lead to the laminate becoming moist and swelling.

IMPORTANT! Lay on a dry concrete base with a moisture content of no more than 2–3%.

The concrete surface must be flat. Before laying, concrete or finishing is poured around the entire perimeter of the room. self-leveling screed mixture to eliminate relief errors. Otherwise, the laminate simply will not fit together, and the remaining voids will lead to subsidence of the floor covering.

The following mistakes can be made when laying laminate flooring with your own hands. Before the installation process, the concrete floor is thoroughly cleaned of dirt and debris. The slightest penetration of particles under the substrate will lead to the appearance of a squeak.

REFERENCE. You can clean with a professional vacuum cleaner; if you don’t have one, a regular broom will suffice.

Close to walls

A well-prepared laminate will change in size until it takes its shape. Therefore, gaps of 1.5 cm are left from the walls to the beginning of the flooring, otherwise they are reduced and amount to 1 cm.

IMPORTANT! Proper installation requires leaving a gap near the walls.

Additionally fixed laminate covering with plinth. It is attached to the walls using self-tapping screws, glue, clip locks. Acts as a surface fastening and decorative element that allows the laminate to expand freely.

Incorrect attachment to the floor

When installing things on their own, craftsmen often make mistakes; in order to avoid future troubles and waste of money, we will give you a few recommendations:

1. Substrate. To solve problems with soundproofing, thermal insulation, it is customary to lay a substrate at the initial stages of installation. The most suitable material for the substrate is technical cork. It does not change its characteristics during the period of operation.
2. Fastening. Laminate flooring is laid freely, without fastening to the floor. Since in case of fixation (glue, nails) during expansion processes, the fixed elements are deformed.
3. Laying.At the stage of assembling the coating components, you cannot use a metal hammer or heavy tool. If impact occurs, the laminate lock may break. It is more rational to use a wooden or rubber mallet.
4. Sealing. If there is no sealant at the joints, moisture can penetrate inside and the laminate will lose its shape. The cut edges of the laminate in hard-to-reach places must also be patched with any sealant.
5. Installation of furniture. Heavy furniture acts as a massive fixer for the laminate. To ensure that the rest of the free covering does not “float away”, it is recommended to make additional seams around the perimeter of the cabinet furniture, masking them with decorative stitching.
6. Cleaning. After installation work, it is necessary to carry out a general cleaning of the room.