How to fix a chip on a laminate?

Laying the laminate and its subsequent operation is often accompanied by damage to its surface, as a result of which chips or scratches appear on it. Such defects often arise due to accidental impacts or heavy objects falling onto the floor. Many people, if such problems are discovered, immediately turn to specialists for help, but, as practice has shown, you can deal with them yourself. In this article we will look at how and with what to fix a chip on a laminate, choose the most effective and simple way to fix the problem.

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Why do chips appear on the laminate?

Before considering the most effective ways of how the laminate is restored from chips, it is necessary to understand why they actually arise.

The main reasons for the appearance of chips:

• Floor covering with low-quality material.
• Application in the production process of shock-absorbed equipment.
• Poor quality flooring.
• Low level of professional specialization of the manufacturer.
• Low quality of the upper protective layer of lamellas.

Important! Many of the reasons for chips on laminate flooring are related to the mistakes of the manufacturers and the people who were responsible for the installation.

In the modern flooring market, the most common problem is the low-quality base of the decorative part of the laminate. There are many manufacturers, while most of them are trying to reduce the cost of production by reducing the quality of the materials used. That is why it is recommended to choose a laminate carefully, so that you do not waste time later on repairing it.

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The most popular ways to repair chips

It is not necessary to completely dismantle the floor to eliminate chips on the laminate. How to remove them - we will consider below. If you decide to replace a damaged strip, you risk damaging the entire castle coating system. That is why repair is best done indiscriminately using the laminate, using improvised materials and tools.

Popular methods for repairing chips:

• Using putty or sealant.
• With a wax pencil.
• Sealing with epoxy resin.
• Grout with a composition of gypsum and sawdust.
• The use of caching.
• Dressing flaws.
• Sealing with self-adhesive film.
• Using mastic.

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The main stages of chip repair

In all these cases, the repair algorithm is approximately the same, it includes several important steps:

• The chip is carefully cleaned, all contaminants are eliminated.
• Using an alcohol solution, the surface is degreased.
• Chipped close up any selected composition.
• All unnecessary is removed by polishing.
• Before applying varnish, the coating should dry well.

Important! After repair work, the laminate must not be subjected to stresses for an hour.

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How to fix chips yourself?

Now we will take a step-by-step look at how the laminate is repaired in each of the above cases, what techniques are used in this case, what rules must be adhered to and what mistakes should be avoided.

Wax crayon repair

First of all, we give an example of how to get rid of a chip on a laminate and how to fix a chip on a tile on the floor.It is not by chance that we combined these two problems, because their solution occurs through the same material - wax crayon.

Perform repair according to the scheme:

1. Choose the most suitable wax crayon in color to the laminate or tile.
2. Clean the damaged area from dust and debris.
3. Dry well. Now it is necessary to make the chalk more plastic, but it does not need to be melted completely.
4. Then gently place the plastic substance in the cleaved area.
5. Remove excess weight from the surface of the laminate or tile.
6. Before finishing, the wax must completely harden. Then polish the repair site.

Sealing with acrylic sealant

Experts who are well versed in finishing work recommend repairing chips with the help of a special building compound that can be easily replaced with sealant.

Important! It is better to choose a white sealant, because in this case it will be easier to set the right tone for it.

It is enough to apply the composition to the cleavage with a rubber or plastic spatula so that the surface after the repair is even and smooth.

When buying mastics for wood or sealant, it is better to look at one of two shades - dark walnut and pine. If you mix these two colors in the right proportions, you can get any desired tone.

Important! Remember that the dried mixture will darken a few tones.

Using a mixture of gypsum and sawdust

Do you have a dent in the laminate? How to remove it forever? An excellent option for its elimination will be the use of a composition of gypsum and sawdust. These two components are mixed with water in such an amount that a homogeneous pasty mixture is obtained. Too large a dent can be pre-filled with a tab, the role of which will be played by wood chips. Then it is covered and rubbed with a mixture of gypsum and sawdust. You can also use PVA glue instead of gypsum.

The following actions must be performed:

1. Mix sawdust with glue to get a homogeneous mass.
2. Spread the mixture on a dent.
3. Remove excess after final drying.
4. Align the repair area with putty.
5. Coat the laminate with varnish.

Epoxy repair

Epoxy resin has two components - hardener and resin. They are mixed in a clear proportion according to the instructions using a drill with a nozzle. Mixing occurs within five minutes at a temperature of 15 degrees. The resulting composition is applied to the pre-treated area.

Important! If the repair is not carried out carefully, voids may form, therefore it is better to apply the epoxy resin in several layers.

Application of mastic

Such a paste for a laminate can be used not only for sealing chips, but also for other defects. True, many have difficulties in working with it, because it is important to choose the right color. Mastic is applied in several layers, so that after shrinkage there are no changes that can affect the appearance of the floor covering.

Chipping repair putty

Putty repair paste for the laminate is often used to eliminate any defects efficiently and quickly, as well as restore its protective coating. But the work should be carried out according to a certain algorithm - putty should be applied in several layers.

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Professional Tips

Useful recommendations of specialists include the following points:

• Whatever composition you choose, it is recommended to apply it as accurately as possible, capturing the edges of chips and dents. In most cases, the repair site is processed with sandpaper, only this should be done very carefully so that there are no scratches on the floor.
• Any defects must be removed immediately, because they tend to increase. If we allow this, then we will have to completely change the coverage.
• Prior to repair, it is recommended that you carefully study the composition of the selected material for embedment.
• To protect yourself from such manipulations and worry less about the fact that a minor defect can adversely affect the entire coating, it is better to protect the floor from scratches, cracks, chips. For example, you can carpet those places where people often go.
• In the case of replacing several planks, it is recommended that maximum attention be paid to the quality of the laminate. If the material is of poor quality, it is better not to be lazy and make a complete replacement.
• Coating the damaged surface with varnish after repair will give it a gloss and additionally protect it from damage in the future.

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Stock footage

Now you know how to repair such common defects in the flooring yourself. Agree that there is nothing complicated in this, the main thing is to choose the right tool for the repair and use it according to technology.