Laminate is a very strong and durable material. However, even on such coatings, various kinds of defects, for example, chips, may appear during operation. To eliminate such damage, of course, it is worth immediately. After all, if they are present, the aesthetic properties of the laminate are significantly worsened. In addition, the service life of such a coating in this case is reduced. Further in the article, we will consider how to repair a chipped laminate and how to do it correctly.
For what reason can appear
During operation, scratches, cracks, cracks can form on the laminate. But the most unpleasant type of defect on such a coating is, of course, precisely chips. Such damage is very clearly visible on the coating and it is often difficult to get rid of them. Defects of this variety in most cases are deep and affect not only the decorative layer of the planks, but also the main one - wood fiber.
The main causes of chipped laminate flooring are:
- walking on the floorpointy heels;
- heavy objects with jagged edges falling to the floor;
- Inaccurate sawing of the board during installation of the coating.
It is quite difficult to leave a chip on the laminate even with a sharp object. Such defects in most cases appear nevertheless on those dies, during the production of which the established technologies were violated.
Types of chips
Before we begin to figure out how to repair a chipped laminate, let's see what actually causes such damage to the coating. Such a finish, despite the fact that it has a high degree of wear resistance, is not immune from the occurrence of defects over its entire area. Chips on such a coating can be:
- deep;
- penetrating;
- small.
Such defects can appear both directly on the plate plane itself, and in the area of the castle. Sometimes damage of this kind is formed simultaneously on several lamellas.
How to repair a small chip
In this case, the laminate is not damaged too deeply. Ways to eliminate small chips are similar to the method of repairing a simply scratched coating. If the defect almost did not affect the base of the die and has a very small area, you can try to mask it, for example, with a wax restoration pencil.
An answer to the question of what can be repaired chipped onlaminate, if it has a shallow depth, this type of product can become:
- hard;
- soft.
The first kind of pencils is recommended to be used to eliminate chips on a high-strength laminate, laid in rooms with high traffic. In a bedroom or, for example, in an office, a soft pencil can also be used to repair such a defect.
Repair Technology
So how do you repair a chipped laminate if it's shallow? In this case, you should, of course, choose a pencil for correction strictly according to the color of the coating itself. It is actually very easy to use this tool. To get rid of a small chip, you need:
- carefully clean it from dirt to the full depth;
- degrease the damaged surface of the plank with alcohol.
Next, you just need to carefully cover the defect with a pencil, smooth the surface with a spatula and remove the remaining wax. Such a corrective agent usually dries no more than 1 hour.
How to repair a chipped laminate if it is deep
Repair of such a coating, if there is sufficiently serious damage on it, can be carried out using, for example, means such as:
- epoxy or polyester resin;
- special mastic for wood;
- acrylic sealant.
Also, deep defects in this finish are often corrected using a mixture of fine sawdust and gypsum in equal proportions.
How to repair a chip in a laminate floor: useful advice
Most often, when repairing a coating with such defects, wood mastics or sealants are used in our time. The use of such materials gives the best result. Experts usually advise purchasing mastic or sealant in two shades at once - dark walnut and pine. Subsequently, by mixing these funds, it will be possible to obtain the color necessary for the most effective masking of the chip. When mixing the compositions, among other things, it should be borne in mind that after drying, the “patch” will darken a little.
Repair features
Mastics and sealants are just a great answer to the question of how to repair a chipped laminate without taking it apart. However, to carry out such work, it is not enough to choose the right corrective tool. The home master will also need to prepare the most suitable tools for performing such a procedure.
To apply the correction mixture when sealing deep chips, craftsmen most often use a rubber spatula. With this tool, it will be very easy to remove the defect without leaving additional scratches on the surface of the laminate.
Close up deep chips using mastic or sealant using approximately the same technology as when using a wax pencil. The only thing in this case is that the defect is not filled immediately to the full depth, but in 2-3 passes. In addition, each layer of camouflagepre-dry.
How to repair very serious damage
Repairing chips that affect several boards or a lock at once or penetrate is often an impractical procedure. In the presence of such damage, the affected areas of the coating are best simply replaced with new ones. Repair of such serious defects is usually carried out only when it is impossible to find in the store the lamellas of exactly the same shade as the old ones.
A fairly good answer to the question of how to repair a chipped laminate with your own hands, in this case, can be epoxy or polyester resin. However, even with the use of such durable products that can withstand significant wear loads, it is most likely that it will not be possible to give the initial appearance to a heavily damaged coating.
How to properly replace boards
How to repair a chipped laminate, we thus found out. But what is the right way to replace damaged planks if their repair becomes impossible?
If chips appear on the boards that are extreme in relation to the wall, it will be very easy to reconstruct the floor. In this case, damaged lamellas are simply snapped off from the main coating, and then new ones are installed in their place.
But, of course, damage to the edge of the laminate is quite rare. Most often, chips are still formed at some distance from the walls. In this case, defective lamellas are removed with preliminary sawing. At the same time, they perform work approximately like thistechnology:
- mark boards across;
- on the markup make through cuts with a circular saw;
- remove the plank from the cover piece by piece.
New boards are inserted at the next stage using this technology:
- the lock of the new board is cut very carefully;
- liquid nails are applied around its entire perimeter;
- put the bar in place.
In order for the “patch” to subsequently last as long as possible, after installation it must, of course, be pressed down with something heavy for a while. Spilled adhesive should be removed immediately with a clean cloth. Subsequently, you need to keep the load on the “patch” until the liquid nails are completely dry.
How to avoid chipping: recommendations
Thus, different technologies can serve as an answer to the question of how to repair chips on a laminate with your own hands. But in any case, correcting such a defect is often quite difficult. To avoid the appearance of chips, therefore, it is imperative to follow the rules for operating such a finish:
- near the entrance to the house should lay fleecy rugs;
- under the rollers of chairs and bedside tables it is worth putting small rubber pads;
- furniture legs should also be padded, for example, with felt or felt.
Of course, in order to prevent the appearance of chips on the laminate, it is not necessary, in addition toeverything else, and walk on it in street shoes. A stand for shoes and boots should be placed in the hallway next to the entrance and a rug, and an ottoman should be placed near it.
