Laminate flooring bathrooms

Questions and Answers

Laminate Flooring ?

Q) Hi ! I'm looking for a site or sites online where I can find some good, easy to follow instructions on laying a laminate floor in a bathroom - I am not a very good DIY'er but am prepared to have a go - all help and advice appreciated. Cheers Andrew

A) WICKES HAVE LEAFLETS IN THE STORES AND ONLINE WWW.WIKES.COM

Laminate flooring?

Q) Hope someone can help, or offer a suggestion / opinion. At the moment in my flat I have carpet in the lounge and tiling on all of the other floors. I have recently dropped a hot iron on the carpet in the lounge and it has melted a horrible shape into it. I am thinking of claiming on my contents insurance for the carpet and am toying with putting laminate flooring down througout. Except for the kitchen and bathroom. My question for you is - laminate / wood flooring in a flat/appartment, is it a wise thing to do? Or will it make too much noise for my neighbours who share my block of flats? Any thoughts? Has anyone ever lived in a flat/appartment which had wood flooring?

A) if you do lay laminate flooring use a good purpose made underlay, it is not expensive, if you shop around you can probably get the underlay for about £25 that will cover a 12'x12' room, don't be tempted to use old or even new carpet underlay, it is too soft and will only cause you problems later. i used laminate flooring in a 2nd floor flat and my neighbours didn't even notice the difference, as long as it is purpose underlayed and layed correctly it is great, you will probably never go back to carpets again, it is clean and retains heat, many people think it is cold on bare feet, trust me it isn't and it is very comfortable. take care and good luck.

is it ok to put laminate flooring in a bathroom?

A) I am a carpenter and I installed it in the last house I lived in. It's two years later and I moved. I hate laminate floor, yes it's easy and looks good but if you want wood buy wood. The new prefinished stuff looks good and just as easy to install. Good Luck Moskie257

how to get a neat finish round toilet with laminate flooring?

Q) hi does anyone know how to get a perfectly neat finish round a toilet and pedestal in the bathroom when laying laminate flooring or if there is a tool you can buy for this job as we are unable to lift up the toilet to slide the flooring underneath

A) you should not fit it under the toilet. make some templates/ cardboard etc and fit round your toilet. use silicon round the toilet,not caulk.

im having laminate flooring in my new bathroom, got really nice torus skirting, would you stain it to?

Q) match the laminate or paint it white to match the walls? Ive already bought the laminate and it is a really nice expensive one, its also specially for bathrooms, so it dosent get ruined.

A) Laminate flooring should be banned, it is really cheap looking. Best to tile a floor in a bathroom. Skirting boards should always be painted white. Dont be a chav, be stylish!

is laminate flooring ok for a small bathroom?will water get under it?

A) You can now buy laminate flooring specifically for bathrooms called 'aqua lok'. It comes in tile patterns aswell as the traditional wood look and is available from all leading DIY stores (lol sound like a walking advert for b&q). We're just about to put it down in ours!!

storm damage problems with loss adjusters?

Q) storms blew part of my asbestos kitchen roof off in jan 07 insurance could not send their builders for 2 weeks as they were busy.during that time my ceiling collapsed.water poured down my walls ruined my laminate floor & my t&g floor in the bathroom water was in my light socket. the builder finally turned up put tarpualin on roof. he quoted £4,500 to do the work. i,m in the building trade & i can do the work myself. the loss/a want me to pay £450 + £350 vat towards renewing all the roof i said i can can renew the roof myself for that its only 5 asbestos sheets my local council will dispose of the sheets. i have emailed the L/a several times to say i have asbestos particles floating in my kitchen. now in april they have sent noone to put this right. i have offered to do the work myself for £3,000 is this a fair offer or will the L/a decide what they will pay me to do the work. trading standards have been in touch with them about the asbestos with no joy. where do i go from here ?

A) Ring your insurance company first thing on Monday (with claim reference and policy number to hand) and explain the situation and ask them the reason for the delay in repairing the roof. Start of by being pleasant but if you get no luck start mentioning the facts below. Point out that there are probably asbestos particles in the air and you are desperately concerned about the effects of inhaling them and that you will sue them if you contract any asbestos-related conditions. The insurance company will probably record the conversation however for your own protection keep notes copies of any correspondence/ communication you may make. Get a reference e.g. the name of the person to whom you speak. Ask the insurance company if they would accept a quote from yourself to do the work as you are a builder by trade - worth a shot as you could probably save them money by not having any labour expenses. With regards to the roof, find out if the insurance company are implying that the roof wasn't of sound construction as I would have thought that the cover on the policy would be 'new for old'. They may be trying to apply a 'matching sets' clause under your policy which states that if one of a set is damaged the insurance company won't replace the undamaged sets. If so I would argue with them that it is 1 roof that is damaged! I assume you are VAT registered - and can claim back the VAT? Can you? If not then the insurance company must pay it (They can't claim back VAT). £350 vat is vat on £2,000 as I am sure you know. The next stage is to commence the official complaint procedure against the insurance company. I would do this anyway as they have not reated you fairly in my opinion. They have to appoint someone to investigate and acknowledge in a week, and reply within 4 weeks and give a final reply in 8. If their response and offer of compensation is inadequate you can take them to the FOS (details will be provided with their final reply) - the insurers are bound by the FOS decision (and must pay a fee to have it heard as well) To be honest I am surprised it took so long as the insurance company must have realised that additional damage could be caused if the room was open to the elements. What has your broker been doing? Have you kept them informed as to the progress - or lack of it? If you don't have a broker to act for you, contact BIBA for a local agent when your policy comes up for renewal - I assume you won't want to stay with the same insurer after their 'service'.

Flooring questions?

Q) Just bought a three bed detached house with 3 bathrooms after selling my 1 bed house, and i plan to do everything including all the bathrooms, kitchen apart from fitting the cooker, so i will be on here loads of times,i just have a couple of questions. 1) Squeeky floorboards up stairs, there sheets not planks, i thought what i will do is every piece i step on i will rescrew down, will this do it or is it the joist's, 2) I want oak flooring all downstairs, but i heard that if i want real wood i have to replace the old floorboards with the new real wood flooring, which i dont really want to do, I dont want laminated so the other option is engineered wood flooring but can i put this down straight onto the original floorboards

A) squeaky floorboards are common, and if they are sheets, then you will have chipboard more than likely. Screwing it down more will help, and i have heart that a liberal dusting with talc helps, but have never tried it. If the boards have moved apart, you may need to replace as many as you can. Engineered oak flooring can be laid on top of normal boards but at 90 degrees to the way they run, but again, it depends on the quality of the original boards.

damp smell in bathroom?

Q) A few weeks ago I noticed my toilet cistern had been leaking - it soaked into the skirting board and soaked the laminate flooring at the back of the toilet. I got it fixed as soon as I discovered the problem but now there is a really overpowering damp smell in the bathroom. Apart from ripping up the floor (which I really dont want to do) can you suggest any ways to get rid of the smell? I keep the windows and doors open all the time already.

A) Hi Groid, Lots of other things I'd need to know before I can 'reliably' answer your question, but I'll make a few guesses and possibly provide a solution. My guess is that the cistern had been leaking for some time, and the water has worked through the gaps in the laminate flooring and has soaked the material underneath. Guess no.2 is that you have chipboard flooring as opposed to traditional floorboards made of solid wood. (Chipboard is often used in modern houses or conversions as it's cheaper) Chipboard soaks in water like a sponge and takes ages to dry out (Quite often it needs to be replaced. Now the gross bit ! The area at the back of the toilet is usually a bit smelly as over time the area can be splashed with urine from men using the toilet in a standing position (Hope that's not too graphic) This urine can also soak into the material under the laminate. The smell is probably the water mixing with the residual urine. Unfortunately, the only way to find out is to lift the laminate floor, the chipboard will take months to dry out on it's own. Honest Groid, lifting the laminate floor is not as difficult as it seems (Unless it's been laid under the toilet). Remove one of the edging strips that runs parallel to the laminate nearest the area. It will just be held in with panel pins, use a wallpaper scraper to prise it off. Once you've done that the sheet of laminate underneath should just lift out (They literally just click into each other) Remove 3 or 4 lengths (Keep them in order so you can put them back the right way). You should be able to see very quickly if the area underneath is damp. Dry chipboard is almost warm to the touch, damp chipboard will be cold. If the Chipboard is, as I suspect damp. The cheapest thing to do would be to hire a dehumidifier from a tool hire shop, should cost around £10 a day. Remove as much of the laminate as you can, and run the dehumidifier for at least 3 days. PS - Don't run it when you have a shower it will have a nervous breakdown. Dehumidifiers suck a huge amount of moisture out of the area - just might do the trick. Good luck Boris

Why do my testicals scrape the floor?

Q) I have this problem that causes my wife great amusement, but great pain to me. When I get out of bed in the morning, my nuts are hanging by the side of the bed. If I try to scoop up the old chugnuts into my jim jam bottoms, out they pop and bounce on the hard cold laminate flooring. After holding them in my arms to go to the bathroom, it is only after some grunting and groaning that I can squeeze them back into my testicular sacs. The doctor thinks I'm talking b*llocks - but this is serious. Do you think castration is the only answer? Your undertstanding in this sensitive matter would be appreciated. And please, no nutters!!

A) I can only suggest that they scrape the floor to keep your knuckles company.

Just a Statement on laminate flooring in kitchens/bathrooms?

Q) NO questions here, Just a statement so no one makes any mistakes with this. If you want to install laminate in your kitchen or bathroom DO NOT. Laminate warps with water. If you want wood in your kitchen, I suggest a high quality vinyl that looks just like wood, or real hardwood. Laminate also warps in bathrooms due to the high moisture. If you have a dishwasher, defianatly do not put laminate in your kitchen, the slightest leak of water will wreck your entire floor. I own a flooring business and have seen people make these mistakes for a long time. I really wish others wouldnt do the same, because your flooring may only last you a year in a bathroom, and that gets quite costly after awhile. Kitchens last longer unless you have a dishwasher that leaks suddenly, then you're faced with a new crisis of needing new flooring. Thanks!!!!!

A) I agree 100% with the original comment. Also the new Mannington Adura is a great alternative to laminate flooring. It has the look of real wood, is next to impervious to moisture, you can rack it out like real hardwood, and you can replace 1 piece at a time if necessary. I also despise the acoustical qualities of laminates. They sound as horrible as they look, and for the lady in Florida that had the leak with no problems, that's because the foam underlay soaked up the moisture. Call an industrial hygienist to come take air quality checks. You may have a mold problem! The foam is what causes 90% of the problems associated with laminates, the other 10% is the pressed particle board composition. It is just a poorly thought out product.

Laminate flooring?

Q) Can I and should I seal the new laminate wood flooring just installed in my bathroom with polyurethane?

A) No, dont do it, Laminate has some give to it, this would crack the finish, also most laminate has an aluminum oxide finish, it is very likely polyurethane would not bond to it. Also the finish already on the laminate is very durable.

Do I have to remove the toilet to put down laminate flooring in the bathroom?

Q) Right now there's vinyl flooring there and I want to put down this laminate that looks like stone. I just don't know if I have to remove the toilet to put it in or do I cut around it and caulk? I want it to look as professional as possible. I just don't want it to scream "AMATEUR".

A) If you are going for the pro look you will certainly want to pull the toilet to install your floor. When you go to reinstall the toilet you will more than likely need to add a spacer flange as well as a wax ring w/ horn to the original flange to accommodate the new floor height. Make sure you follow the laminate flooring manufacturer's installation instructions for wet areas. Regards, Indy

How do you remove dye from laminate flooring?

Q) The laminate floor in my bathroom has dye/paint on it and I don't know how to get it off. The color came from the dye/decoration on a plastic bag that got wedged under a hamper and got wet. The ink transferred to the floor and now I don't know how to get it off. The flooring is not the best, and I know that if I use a scrubby on it I'll just damage the floor. Any suggestions? The floor is off white, so something that would bleach out the color without damaging the floor might work, but I don't know anything like that either (regular bleach will not work). Thanks!

A) I wish I knew. Sixteen years ago, my step-son and I were dying Easter eggs and some of the dye spilled on the flooring. I am the guru of cleaning, but I have found no solution to this problem. Good luck.

does anyone have a miracle cleaner for sticky hairspray build-up on laminate flooring?

Q) i can't seem to find anything that really breaks down the hairspray build-up on my bathroom floor, which i believe to be laminate.

A) Try some white vinegar on a soft cloth.:)

Is it a good idea to install laminate flooring in a bathroom?

Q) Little used bathroom, and it would be around the toilet and shower

A) no= this type of flooring is good for dry places not by any water..if by chance water is left on it it will peal the laminate off the pvc board ==very similar to a water ring on furniture after a glass sits too long on it

Can laminate hardwood flooring survive in a bathroom?

Q) I really like laminate hardwood flooring and can get a deal for my bathroom, but can it survive the moisture of a bathroom?

A) Laminate flooring is free floating and has the potential to trap moisture under it (especially in a bathroom when someone gets out of the shower wet) you will eventually have mildew/mold problems under it....I would not recommend it for a bathroom or a kitchen...tile is your best bet.

Can self-stick laminate flooring be laid over old laminate flooring?

Q) We're laying a new floor in our bathroom and I was wondering if we can lay the new self-stick laminate over the old laminate flooring that's in there or if the old flooring should be torn up and the new flooring laid on top of the wood floor. Thanks!

A) Hi, here is an answer to your question, I hope this helps. I found this site to be quite informative, good luck! http://www.hardwood-flooring-discount.com/101-pergo-prodigy-laminate-flooring.html

Is there any inconvenience to put laminate floors in the kitchen and bathrooms?

Q) I am planning to laminate the whole house and I dont know if adding it to the kitchen and bathrooms too? A selling guy told me that they are water traffic areas and in kitchen and bathrooms he recommended tile..but I dont know..i love how it looks in the kitchen and bathrooms....please advise

A) There are plenty of laminate floors that can be used in a bathroom. Kitchens are no issue, I install laminate there all the time. I would not, however choose a very cheap board for areas that will be getting wet from time to time. Pergo warraties all of their laminate for use in bathrooms. The locking mechanism on their product is treated with wax to stop water absorption. The entire perimeter of the floor must be sealed with 100% silicone. If you make sure that the installer knows what he is doing, and follows the specs, Pergo will replace the floor if it fails for any reason. Now, I'm not trying to sell you on Pergo in particular. There may be other manufacturers who offer the same warranty. I know that most Kronotex is warrantied for use in bathrooms as well. Pergo however is a good brand and they will be good to deal with if ever there is a problem. The problem is not that the floor may get wet. Water left standing on the floor for length of time is what will hurt you. If you don't have a lot of little kids and spills, and remember to be conscious of standing water, there is absolutely no reason not to install laminate anywhere in your home.

repair laminate flooring warping?

Q) living area/kitchen area is covered in laminate wood flooring (i think it is the kind that snaps together). due to some major flooding (about an inch or so of water coming out of the bathroom, over the threshhold and underneath the wood), a small part of the wood floor got water underneath. i used fans on it and a dehumidifier, but the wood has seperated in a few places and sunken down in some places....kind of like a wave. is there any way to level the floor out without replacing the damaged pieces? i rent and i really don't want to forfeit my deposit or spend a lot replacing a floor that isn't mine. screwed. it's what i thought. :(

A) Sorry, I have some bad news for you...your floor is ruined. I do not understand why this junky looking flooring is so popular...it is NOT a good floor choice, for water under it ruins the entire floor...the warping will continue over time, for there is NO way to get the water out from under it. This Pergo and that ilk is not only unsatisfactory as a floor, it is just plain old ugly...and it is expensive. They do not tell you about the danger of getting water under it when you buy it, they are remarkably quiet about the flooring failure. The partical board substrate is very sensitive to any water, swells and does NOT go back to its former self ever. It may be, if you are luck, that you can remove the warped boards and it will stop, but don't count on it happening. Usually, you have lost the floor once a flood happens...as in toilets, dishwasher failures, even spilled water that is not mopped up will ruin this junk. BAD, bad flooring choice. Good luck