At Early’s Flooring Specialists & More, we understand the challenges of installing laminate flooring, and we’re here to help you prevent or correct bubbling before it ruins your investment.
What Causes Bubbles in Laminate Flooring?
Bubbles can appear for various reasons—some related to how the flooring was installed, others due to environmental factors. Common causes include:
- Moisture under the surface: Excess humidity or water trapped between the subfloor and laminate planks causes the boards to expand and bubble.
- Improper installation: Skipping steps during laminate floor installation, like acclimating the planks or using the wrong underlayment, can lead to issues later.
- No expansion gap: Laminate wood flooring needs room to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Without that gap, boards may push against each other and cause bubbles.
- Poor adhesive application (for glue-down products): Uneven glue distribution or insufficient curing time can result in bubbles beneath the surface.
How to Fix Bubbles in Laminate Flooring
Depending on the cause and severity, bubbling may be fixable:
- Moisture issues: Identify and eliminate the source of moisture. You may need to remove the affected boards and allow the area to dry completely.
- Replace damaged planks: If the bubbling is localized, you can remove and replace only the affected boards.
- Reinstall flooring: In cases of widespread bubbling, especially after improperly installing laminate flooring, it may be necessary to redo the entire installation with the correct steps.
- Add an expansion gap: If bubbling is caused by tight spacing, trimming the edges and reinstalling baseboards can relieve pressure.
Prevention Is the Best Solution
Before starting any laminate flooring installation, it’s crucial to:
- Acclimate the flooring in the room for 48–72 hours
- Use a moisture barrier if installing over concrete.
- Allow expansion gaps along the perimeter.
- Hire experienced professionals who understand the details of laminate floor installation.
Get It Done Right the First Time
Laminate wood flooring should look great and perform well for years, but only if installed and maintained correctly.
We're Here to Help You Avoid Costly Mistakes
Early’s Flooring Specialists & More provides professional laminate flooring installation for Amissville, Culpeper, Front Royal, Luray, Gainesville, Madison, and Warrenton, VA homeowners. Whether you're installing laminate flooring for the first time or fixing an issue, visit our showrooms or contact us for expert help.
