Home Laminate Flooring Buckling Laminate Flooring – How to Repair Laminate Flooring

Buckling Laminate Flooring – How to Repair Laminate Flooring

by Viena Swierczek
Published: Updated: 228 comments 5 minutes read

Laminate flooring is known for its durability, but there is one problem that can occur: buckling.

When it comes to laminate flooring, it’s important to remember that it is a floating floor. This means that it is not permanently attached to the subfloor and instead “floats” on the surface. The reason for this is to allow the floor to expand and contract with temperature changes. While this expansion and contraction may not be visible to the naked eye, it is a crucial characteristic of laminate flooring.

However, when the floor is obstructed from floating or damaged by moisture, problems can arise. The planks may “buckle” or compress together, leading to humps, uneven surfaces, and unsightly marks. In extreme cases, the flooring can even lift entirely from the subfloor.

To prevent buckling and keep your laminate flooring in top condition, it is essential to take precautions.

Why Is My Flooring Buckling?

There are several reasons why laminate flooring may buckle. These factors include:

  1. Improper installation: If the flooring is installed too tightly or pinched down under heavy objects like cabinets, it may not be able to properly float, resulting in buckling.
  2. Insufficient expansion gap: Without a proper gap between the flooring and the walls, the laminate cannot expand properly and may buckle. Check out our recommended best practices for the expansion gap to avoid this issue.
  3. Underlayment issues: Without a vapor barrier, moisture can seep into the flooring and cause it to buckle. It is crucial to install your flooring with the appropriate underlayment to prevent this. Read our underlayment guide here.
  4. Water and moisture damage: Excessive exposure to moisture can cause the laminate flooring to swell and buckle. Take measures to protect your flooring from water damage.
  5. Lack of acclimation: If the flooring is not given enough time to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the room before installation, it may buckle. Allow adequate acclimation time to avoid this problem.
  6. Extreme room temperature: Installing laminate flooring in a room with an unusually high or low temperature can lead to buckling. Maintain a comfortable room temperature to prevent this issue.

Buckling is most commonly observed near walls, where the flooring’s expansion is restricted due to a lack of space.

Let’s Get Started!

Discovering buckling in your laminate flooring? Follow these essential steps for a successful repair:

  1. Identify the root cause of the buckling
  2. Resolve the underlying issue causing the buckling
  3. Replace or repair the damaged planks with ease using our step-by-step guide below.

How to Fix the Cause of the Buckling

Most commonly, buckling flooring is caused by movement restrictions or water damage. Here’s what you need to know to fix these issues.

Buckling Due to Movement Restrictions

Laminate flooring is a type of floating floor that requires space to expand and contract as temperatures fluctuate. Here are some helpful guidelines to ensure proper movement of the flooring:

  • Check that the wall base/moldings do not pinch the laminate flooring. There should be a small gap between the flooring and the bottom of the molding.
  • Ensure there is a sufficient expansion gap around all walls and stationary objects in the room.
  • Reposition heavy furniture and use felt pads to distribute the weight evenly on the flooring.
  • Increase the expansion gap around the perimeter of the room.
  • Widen the expansion gap at the molding transitions.
  • If the flooring was installed under cabinets, either add dilatation or remove the laminate under the cabinets and leave an expansion gap.
Buckling Due to Water Damage

Water damage can lead to buckling in flooring, a common problem. Laminate flooring, which has a wood core, can swell and expand when it comes into contact with moisture. To tackle this issue, here are some essential steps to follow:

  • Identify the Source: Water damage can originate from various sources, such as a leaking dishwasher. If you find a specific appliance or area that is the source of the problem, consider replacing it to resolve the issue.
  • Cement Subfloors: Moisture from the ground can infiltrate cement subfloors and cause buckling. To safeguard your flooring, use an underlayment with a moisture or vapor barrier.
  • Moisture-Prone Areas: In areas like kitchens or bathrooms where moisture is prevalent, use water-resistant glue during installation. This extra layer of protection can help prevent future buckling problems. Consider opting for a waterproof flooring option, such as luxury vinyl plank, for added peace of mind.
  • Basement Floors: If your flooring is installed in a basement, check for any water leaks from the walls or floor. Address these issues before installing new laminate flooring. For ongoing moisture concerns, consider using waterproof luxury vinyl plank flooring.

How to Repair Buckling Laminate Flooring

If your laminate flooring has buckled, don’t worry, there may still be a chance to repair it. Follow these steps to replace the damaged planks and restore your flooring:

For minor damages that affect only a small portion of your flooring, follow these steps to replace the damaged planks effectively:

  1. Prepare for the repair by removing moldings around the damaged area.
  2. Carefully uninstall the laminate flooring in the problem zone.
  3. Thoroughly clean and prep the subfloor, ensuring there is no moisture damage and that the underlayment (if applicable) is in good condition.
  4. Check the locking system of the flooring. If it’s undamaged, you can proceed with reinstalling the flooring.
  5. Replace any damaged planks as needed.
  6. Reinstall the flooring and moldings, making sure everything is secure.

It’s important to address the root cause of the buckling to prevent it from happening again. If the buckling has affected a larger area that can’t be repaired, you’ll need to replace the entire flooring.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, our team of flooring experts is ready to help you determine the best course of action for your project.

Still have questions on if your buckling laminate flooring? Contact one of our flooring experts today!

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228 comments

bobby boone July 4, 2011 - 10:48 am

we bought our laminated flooring from lowes it was installed by their contractor we experiances
bucking in a foyer like area where our living room ,two bed rooms open to same area the contractor came out and removed quarter round and cut more gap it did not go down completly but has gotten worse . they want to install a floor mold between the openings . my wife does not any thought.?

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Robert May 15, 2011 - 9:19 pm

my floating floor is buckling around the kitchen cabinets, I pulled the quarter round off and found no gaps under the cabinets, in the same area as the buckling. what type of saw or service installer can fix this mistake. I purchased the home with knowing it was their,but at the price cant say no.what tool will get under cabinet to cut my gap. I tried a dremel no good! Any suggestions?

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Fred May 16, 2011 - 10:04 am

Robert, it sounds as if the previous installer did not leave the proper expansion gaps around your cabinets and it is now giving you problems with buckling. I would recommend that you start at the closest wall to your cabinets and actually take apart the floor up to your cabinets and then cut the boards so you will have a 1/4″ to 3/8″ expansion gap when you replace those planks by your cabinets. You can use a jigsaw or a table saw to make those cuts and it will be a lot safer to cut the boards when they are removed rather than try to jam a tool under your cabinets to try to cut out the gap. If you do not have the capability to accomplish this task then look for a certified laminate flooring installer in your area that would be able to fix this problem for you. If you have any other questions don’t hesitate to ask. Good luck Robert.

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Vincent August 27, 2010 - 7:34 am

I just bought a pool table and have experienced the “super heavy objects ” problem you talk about. I can not seem to find these “special coasters” you recommend to use. Do you have a name of these coasters or can tell me where online I can see them or purchase them

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admin August 27, 2010 - 5:03 pm

Thank you for your question. You can buy pool table coasters online. Simply put “pool table coaster” in search to get results. You can also buy them on Amazon.com – this is one of the vendors.

Good luck with coasters search and enjoy your pool table~

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JUNE September 22, 2016 - 10:54 am

I had laminate flooring installed in July, this is September, and I have been having issues ever since. I originally dealt with the installer from the company regarding little things like areas between door jams and around fireplace coming up. In August I notice bubbling in between seams here and their and he contributed that to possible water. I said that it really wasn’t possible as the area i noticed them was in the bedroom and hallway. About a week after his visit my husband and i notice 100’s of this bubbling in between seam’s everywhere! In ever room, hallways, dining rooms. I know now it is not possible that it is from water. Also, my dining room floor has completed lifted and pulled away and up from the floor, ripped out the trim. I have contacted the owner after the original installer never showed to repair this and he is coming out to look at the areas himself. What exactly is the cause of the bubbling between the seams if it is definitely not from water and could it be defective flooring?

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Alana Kane September 22, 2016 - 11:56 am

Hi June! I am sorry to hear about your issues. It’s hard for us to give you a solid answer without seeing the actual floors. Bubbling could be from humidity, and not necessarily direct water damage – especially in more humid, summer months. It also could be from poor installation or lack of proper acclimatization. The owner will be able to give you a better idea of what this could be causing this! I hope this helps.

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Herco August 24, 2010 - 8:17 am

I fear my floor is buckling because of moisture from water spilled and not mopped up in time near my sofa. I have extra planks in storage.

How do I find a reputable person or company to do the repair work?

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admin August 24, 2010 - 2:17 pm

I am sorry to hear that.

Try BBB listed laminate flooring installers. Here is the link where you can enter ” laminate flooring installers” and narrow your search to your zip code or city. Select installers with best BBB reputation. You can ask for references and call their customers.

Another good source to find good laminate floorig installers will be ANGIES list– this is reputable place to find out solid recommendations.

Good luck:)

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bennie Jones June 1, 2012 - 7:36 pm

JUST FYI-The WORST flooring person contractor/insurance listed and licensed installed our flooring and he is on Angies List as good. He was a nice man but NEVER addressed my concerns and my flooring is HORRIBLE.

I would ask people whom you have visited homes and as for a photo gallery of their work and the ability to call the person that the flooring was installed.

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admin June 4, 2012 - 11:04 am

Good point Bennie! We are sorry to hear about your problems. Now, you have a chance to put your feedback on Angies list , so other people who will deal with your installer will know more about the quality of his work. All the bast and thank you fro your opinion.

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Secret_Asian_Man July 25, 2012 - 11:04 am

Just because they have a photo gallery of their work, does not mean 1) they did the work or 2) the flooris still any good.

Sometimes flooring looks great when it is first installed. But if the expansion gap was not properly cut, or if they forgot, or improperly installed a moisture barrier, the floor could buckle and heave months later.

They could even bring you to a client they just finished and it would look great that week, but 6 months later, it’s cracked and breaking!

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Charla March 16, 2010 - 9:38 am

Should there be duifference where you can feel where the boards meet at the ends. What does that mean?

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admin March 16, 2010 - 10:11 am

Transition from laminate flooring plank to plank should be smooth. If you can see some discrepancies it may be due to: uneven sub floor, double layer of underlayment if this area, dirt or dust trapped in locking system of one of the planks, unlocked locking system, water damage ( one or both planks will have “puffed up locking system” and they will not be able to fit together).

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dawn March 26, 2013 - 10:00 pm

we put a floating laminate flooring and we nocticed that in the middle a panel has not locked and i don”t know how to fix it i can’t take all the panels apart there are to many we were pretty much done and it is in the middle of the floor help what can i do?

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Bestlaminate April 3, 2013 - 3:09 pm

Hi Dawn you could do many of things it just depends on what is wrong with it. If it is the short edge coming out you can just tap it back into place I would need to know further information so I can try to give you the best answer. I hope this helps.Brittany

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