Having installed laminate flooring before, I know how tough the stuff is. It actually dulls carbide blades after a short period. I’ve seen the sparks and can only assume it is impegnated with steel fibers. But here’s the thing.
We had water seepage in the wreckroom after a severe rain period and the carpets had to be pulled. That revealed cracks thruout which I have diligently filled with plano leveler and weldbond. This is a high acrylic solution and I don’t expect the water to get past again. But if it does….
How bullet proof is laminate flooring? If it gets wet, will it repel the water or swell up and absorb it? It’s going down anyways but I’d still like to know. Funny thing. Your insurance (around here anyways) doesn’t cover seepage. So, if the new floor gets damaged, we are still hooped.
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Bullets, yes, water no.
It depends on the backing on the laminate. There are some that are 100% plastic and you could use them to floor a swining place.
Other are so sensitive that you walk over it carrying a glass of water and don't even spill a drop it will start swelling.
Also it depends on what kind of underlayment that you used. Some manufactures recommend sheet plastic for a vapor barrier on concrete with would also help with VERY MINOR water seepage.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Laminate flooring is very susceptible to damage by water. The backer will swell and it will buckle. It's very important to wipe up any spills immediately. Never mop it, but you can clean it with a damp cloth.
If you have pets, don't leave their water bowls on the floor. I've seen bubbles in the middle of a strip that was caused by drops of water. I'm assuming that the water did not seep through the surface, but instead caused condensation below the surface as the drops evaporated and created a cool spot. Similarly, don't place any potted plants directly on the floor.
I work part time at our community center and attended a meeting in a room with a laminate floor. Someone kicked over a plastic cup filled with about a half pint of water and ignored it. I saw it after the meeting was almost over and got some paper towels and wiped it up and got looks like, "What a fussy dude, wiping up spilled water." Now I feel better about it--I was afraid it would warp, but when no one else seemed upset, I figured maybe I was over reacting yet again. (Of course, I've seen people kick over glasses of red punch or grape juice on carpet and ignore it, so....)
I believe Mannington's I-core laminate is all plastic and is immune to water damage.
I've used the laminate flooring sold at Sam's club for 5-6 jobs. It's made in Canada and is, I think similar to the highest quality flooring sold at HD, but it's only $1.67 a square foot.We took a chunk of it and put it in a bucket of water for a week, and it did not change all that much at all.I have a feeling that the stuff sold today is better than the stuff sold even 2-4 years ago.Having said that, I would never mop it and it's always at risk if installed in a basement/kitchen, bath or laundry room.JT
Make sure the stuff you buy is made for "below grade". I had it in my kitchen for about 6 years (Pergo glue together, not quick-lock) and it has held up very well to three kids and a dog watering dish that always gets spilled.