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- My floor is chipping! What can I do?
My floor is chipping! What can I do?
Floor chipping is a problem that can be avoided by careful installation & proper care of your flooring.
During Installation:
- Check that you are using the right installation methods:
a. Do the individual boards go together in a certain way to lock e.g. Angle / Angle or Angle Drop Etc. Failure to engage the boards correctly can result in damage. - Are you using excessive force? If you are using a mallet or mallet and tapping block and give the floor board a real hard crack, this can damage the edges. You may not see the damage immediately but too much force may cause micro fractures, which eventually grow resulting chipping.
- If you suspect you have damaged the edge of a board remove and replace with a new plank.
- Check that the tools you are using are appropriate for the flooring being installed.
- Handle the material with care. Banging corners or edges, even when in a box, can result in chipped or weakened edges.
- Allow expansion space per individual product installation guidelines. If a floating floor cannot move the boards can buckle, which may result in permanent board damage.
- Make sure your subfloor is flat. Continued flexing of the joint can cause chips to develop over time
During the life of your flooring:
- Dropping sharp of heavy objects on your flooring can cause damage.
- For some products, excessive water may cause slight edge swelling, which can weaken the flooring's integrity and allow it to chip.
- Be careful of damaged footwear. Cleats or spikes, or even a rock stuck in your shoe - can result in damage that could chip.
- Use approved area rugs under kitchen tables to protect the flooring from wear and edge damage caused by sliding chairs.
- Use approved protective mats under office chairs to protect the flooring from wear and chipping from castors.
- When moving heavy appliances use air sleds, or place heavy-duty floor protection over the flooring to prevent scratches, marring, and chipping.
...So that covers when you can do to avoid chipping. But what happens if I get a few chips?
For Laminate and Vinyl, if minor, a repair kit can be used. For major chips a board replacement maybe necessary.
For Hardwood, the easiest method is to fill the chipped area using a wood burn stick of complementing color. For major chips a board replacement maybe necessary. If you do not have a board, a professional repair specialist should be consulted.
Tip: No matter the floor material, your exact flooring color & pattern may not be available in the future. Always keep some spare planks of flooring in a safe place for replacement.
LL Flooring Technical and Installation