Planks in laminate floors can break or pull apart, and when they do, you don’t have to replace the entire floor.
If you have an adequate number of extra pieces, there’s a simple, affordable solution.
Follow these steps:
1. Remove thresholds and shoe molding and then remove damaged pieces of flooring without disturbing the good ones. Begin at the nearest edge where you can access the damaged area.
2. Pry up the flooring at seam locations; this will often pop the joints loose, even if the planks are glued together.
3. Remove enough boards to create an open space to pull the damaged boards free from the good ones.
4. Tap the ends of the boards at an angle to pry them apart.
5. Remove all the damaged pieces from the work area.
6. Sweep the underlayment and begin installing the new pieces.
7. Line up the new plank’s tongue and groove with the old piece and snap the new piece into position.
8. Cut a quarter-inch short when you approach the wall piece. This allows for expansion and contraction.
9. Reinstall thresholds and shoe molding as needed.
Watch the video above for more information on how to replace laminate flooring.
