Wooden coverings, and parquet too, look interesting and impressive. They are chosen for their many positive features - naturalness, environmental friendliness, attractive appearance, the ability to "breathe" for coating. However, you have to pay for a luxurious appearance, because the coverage does not last forever and problems are not excluded. One of the most frequent problems is the parquet bay. The question arises - what to do: put a new one or repair the old one?
The process of repairing a parquet that has suffered after flooding the wood covering with water
What to do immediately after flooding?
After flooding the parquet, it is worth taking a number of actions quickly. Among them, the following are distinguished:
- Elimination of the source of water - a broken pipe, a broken tap, etc. It is worth shutting off the water and calling a plumber if necessary.
- Next, water is removed from the floor. You should get rid of all the water, open the windows to ventilate and dry the apartment.
- Now you can solve the problem yourself or call specialists.
Attention! If the parquet is flooded, the water should be quickly removed. If this is not done, the wood will begin to absorb water and the parquet will swell. Literally before our eyes, parquet dies increase in size and a so-called boat will appear.
Parquet that has suffered from high humidity, which led to deformation of the dies It is not worth saving in such a situation, as this leads to negative consequences: from the unsightly appearance of the parquet to the fungus. This negatively affects the health of the household.
What are the consequences of floor flooding?
If you let the parquet dry, it will lead to consequences. The parquet will warp, waves and curvatures will appear. Mold and mildew will appear under the parquet floor. If you do nothing, the edges of the dice darken, stains appear on them that cannot be removed by ordinary grinding.
In addition, the consequences depend on the type of wood from which the parquet is made. They react differently to high humidity. Beech is subject to moisture - it absorbs moisture strongly. Oak is considered resistant, but even it deforms when dried. After drying is complete, the waves will diminish, but not completely eliminated.
Waves on the surface of the coating after flooding with water The consequences of flooding the parquet with water depend on how the flooring was laid, on its quality and the quality of the materials used, and some other factors. Water is absorbed into both the parquet and the substrate. If the parquet is not laid on a substrate, but on logs, water accumulates under them. This will lead to the fact that it will get to the neighbors below.
The next consequence is the appearance of mold, which gradually develops into a fungus. Mold and mildew are considered strong allergens due to the secretion of spores. Therefore, they affect the upper respiratory tract and lungs, provoking allergic reactions and asthma. Removing mold is difficult as it penetrates both the wall and the wood.
Basic methods of parquet restoration
There are many methods for restoring parquet. The specific one is selected based on the area of the affected area and its condition. In some cases, it is necessary to dismantle a section of the square, and in others it is enough to improve the ventilation system of the parquet.
Parquet swelling caused by excessive moisture Dismantling of parquet flooring will be required in cases when it cannot be repaired. This happens during severe flooding. If this does not happen, you can replace individual sections. First, the parquet is allowed to dry completely. It depends on several factors - temperature and humidity in the room, floor construction. Drying times vary from a couple of weeks to several months. Only after the wood coating is completely dry, they begin to restore.
If mold or mildew has formed under the floor surface, I process it. To do this, use a solution of bleach or special chemical compounds. If you cannot get rid of mold or mildew, you will have to dismantle the affected areas.
Using a sander to level the surface After drying and preliminary preparation is completed, proceed directly to the repair, elimination of squeak and restoration of the wooden surface. To do this, use dies that are not damaged by water, repeatedly. Those dies that cannot be used are replaced with new ones. The final step is restoration, which involves sanding, grinding, opening with protective oil. Alternatively, you can use mastic. If everything is done correctly, the coating will last for more than a dozen years.
Bloating and problem solving
Bulging and squeaking of wood surfaces is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. The first step is to release tension. To do this, dismantle areas that are damaged by moisture. Then let it dry. Only after that the repairs are continued. It is preferable to make or widen expansion joints, even if the cause of the damage is not in them. Slats with slots should be replaced with new ones. They should not be repaired.
The planks that were selected for drying are put in place and see how much they are deformed. If there are small cracks, do not worry. They can be easily fixed with parquet putty. Broken mounts are not repaired, but replaced with new ones. After the completion of the repair, the surface is sanded and covered with a layer of oil or mastic.
Sometimes there are no “native” dies in stock, or it is not possible to pick up similar ones in color even after coloring. In this case, it is recommended to rearrange the planks from inconspicuous places to the central part of the covering. Can be removed from corners or under furniture. In their place they put new ones that are somehow different. In this case, it will be possible to preserve the aesthetics of the coating without a complete replacement.
A coating that has suffered from water and needs to be restored Leveling the surface becomes one of the stages. They approach him responsibly. It is worth using a sander, with which it is possible to bring the surface to one level. After that, it remains to varnish the parquet. It is worth preparing for the fact that you need to do the procedure several times.
What to do if the parquet squeaks?
Sometimes after drying, a characteristic parquet creak appears. The squeak should be eliminated so that the parquet can be used comfortably. To do this, determine the location and nature of damage to a specific section of the parquet. Most often, the parquet planks are dry and dry, which is why a creak appears.
Attention! To understand the nature of the problem, they use a building level, which they put in the place of the creak and see the location of an air bubble. During the measurement, you should not touch the building level. It is advisable to move further away, since the weight of a person affects the level, and high-quality work to eliminate the squeak of the parquet will not work.
After the place and cause of the creak has been established, restoration is started. To do this, drill a hole with a diameter of 2.5-3 mm in the "walking" strip of the parquet. Through it, glue is pumped under the surface of the wood. You should choose the glue that is suitable for working with wood. After that, the holes are closed with a wooden stopper, the surface is cleaned and polished. However, this elimination of the squeak is not complete.
The next step in getting rid of the squeak is to lay or pull the plank to the base using fasteners, which are used as screws. They are carefully sunk, and the caps are masked with mastic. These are important steps in eliminating squeak.
In some cases, the boards rub against a fixture, screw or nail, and a creak appears. Then the creak is eliminated without autopsy work. An additional mount is mounted nearby, securely fixing the board. This will eliminate squeaking. In most cases, it is possible to restore the surface even if it is blackened and an unpleasant squeak appears.
Floor covering that has been restored after exposure to moisture Attention! If for some reason you are unable to fix the creak of the board with your own hands, you should seek help from specialists. It is worth choosing exclusively experienced craftsmen who know the subtleties of solving the problem. They will correct the appearance of blackness, mildew or squeakiness.
Restoring parquet after flooding with water is a long-term process. It is based on drying, eliminating squeak, mold and mildew. It is worth immediately preparing for the fact that the parquet may darken or become completely black. In most cases, it is possible to correct the situation with your own hands, drying and decorating the laid parquet. Everything needs to be done quickly so that the blackened parquet does not have time to become unusable. If you miss the moment, you will need to install a new parquet.
Cork wall coverings surprisingly harmonious with their natural decorativeness and rare practicality. Elegant and comfortable, they add solidity and sophistication to the interior decoration of the premises. Excellent performance and a wide range of collections allow these coatings to be used both in the living room, bedroom and kitchen, and in the office of the manager.
One type of wall cork is a decorative cork in rolls, the usual size of which is 1000 × 500 × 2 mm. The basis of the coating is made up of pressed cork chips, on which a decorative cork veneer is then applied. The roll cork does not change its linear dimensions and technical characteristics from year to year. It is easy and simple to work with it, it is elastic and resilient, it is combined with all types of finishing materials.
When testing roll cork coverings, no swelling or peeling was noticed during various studies: the effect of constant humidity and alternating humidity and heat. However, in practice, as in this case, the opposite is often the case - a little soaking and an expensive cork coating exfoliated and bubbled.
The defective "cut" must be dried on a flat flat surface before gluing, preferably by pressing it with a large flat sheet. Most often, cork dries evenly. If the bubbles remain when drying, then, unfortunately, it cannot be glued - defects will be visible.
If you bought 2 mm cork wallpaper (not on a paper basis), then it is best to glue them on a special adhesive composition "KORK", which is ideal for self-gluing, which will avoid mistakes, since it allows you to adjust the canvas, unlike contact glue.
From contact adhesives, you can use "NOVOPREN", which is recommended for cork coverings. Stir the glue well before use, then apply it to both glued surfaces using a brush, roller or spatula with sparse teeth. The surfaces must be pre-cleaned of dust and dirt, be sure to be dry and not free-flowing. After applying the glue, you need to wait 10-20 minutes in order for it to be absorbed - it was not sticky to the touch. Having connected both surfaces, press the cork cover with force and evenly, avoiding the appearance of air bubbles. We recommend tapping the edges of the plates with a rubber hammer for better contact with the wall, if there are glue residues on the surface of the plates, then they should be immediately removed with a rag. The glue grabs strongly immediately, therefore, after joining, the plates cannot be corrected. Full bonding time is from 30 to 60 minutes. The adhesive is highly resistant to heat. The approximate consumption of the adhesive is 200g / m².
You can also use BUNITEX P-55 glue or some other special adhesive for gluing the cork.
Added: 07/06/2012 11:41
Discussion on the forum:
Please tell us what to do, bought cork wallpaper without a base and accidentally wetted one piece with water - it swelled in places. Will the bubbles disappear when dry? And can you glue them on glue for heavy wallpaper?Just like any flooring, products made from solid or agglomerated cork are subject to gradual wear, fading, that is, aging in all respects. To extend its lifespan, three basic rules must be followed: neatness, proper cork floor care and timely surface restoration.
Decorative and protective finishing products are made from the bark of oak, which grows in the Mediterranean countries. It is carefully removed from the tree, then in special units it is crushed into small crumbs - granules. Then it is mixed with thermosetting resins, in special heat-pressing machines the sheet formation process takes place. It turns out the so-called agglomerate in slabs, from which they produce:
For premium laminated or glued products, not granulate, but veneer is used - thin layers of solid balsa bark.
According to the manufacturer's recommendation, the floor of glued tiles with a clean surface after installation should be protected with 3 coats of polyurethane or acrylic varnish. This is necessary because the cork is a soft coating that is not resistant to abrasion, abrasion and damage. In addition, the floor material can swell and crumble from water.
In some cases, buyers choose special oils or waxes, with which they impregnate or rub the coating. The advantage of these products is that they do not create a polymer film on the surface, the floor remains warm and pleasant to touch, protected from direct sunlight. But the disadvantages still outweigh. Oil-wax composition:
For the sake of fairness, we note that the varnish coating is also not protected from scratches, chips, haze, etc. Therefore, over time, restoration will be needed for him.
How to care for your cork floor
In order for the floor to serve for more than one year, to retain its aesthetics and integrity throughout the entire operational period, manufacturers have developed a number of recommendations and rules for the care of coatings made of solid or agglomerated cork.
The main "enemy" of floor coverings is not pedestrian traffic, but an abrasive - fine street sand. When going home, each person brings in solids on their soles. They constantly scratch the coating, damaging its surface layers, small risks and other signs of wear appear. Therefore, manufacturers insist on adherence to preventive measures:
- Carry out daily wet cleaning. It is better to use a vacuum cleaner for this.
- Use coarse brushes, abrasive detergents or aggressive household chemicals for cleaning.
- Leave the water spilled over the surface for a long time.
- Allow sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Optimal operating conditions: t = + 15 - +30 ° C, f = 45-65%.
For cork floors, you need to use a special series of care products, including:
All products are divided into washable and indelible, for manual or machine processing. It is highly undesirable to use them for other purposes, otherwise there is a risk of spoiling the coating, and irrevocably.
How to restore a cork floor
If the varnish coating is noticeably rubbed, has lost its shine and transparency, you can restore it yourself or invite specialists for this work. The technique includes the following steps:
- Thorough grinding of the surface with fine abrasive grit up to 220 units. For this purpose, a sander or ordinary hand sanding paper is used.
- Remove dust with a vacuum cleaner and a damp soft cloth.
- Application of primer and varnish in 2-3 layers in accordance with the instructions. Intermediate drying between layers - at least 6 hours.
If you need to repair a local area due to significant damage to the tiles, then first of all you need to look for a material that is suitable in color and structure. The problem is that cork is a natural coating, so in different batches, as well as due to constant exposure to sunlight, the planks will differ in tone and pattern, sometimes significantly.
The glued tiles are difficult to remove, so you actually have to remove them piece by piece. The base must be leveled and primed before installing a new coating. Funds are selected based on the type of base. For screeds, this is a cement-sand mixture or quick-drying cement, for plywood, chipboard - wood putty, etc.
Another type of problem with cork is peel-off strips. The reason may be an incorrectly selected composition, a violation of the laying technology and even a floor heating system. In any case, peeling tiles must be removed, cleaned and dried. The base is cleaned, glue is applied with a notched trowel and the strip is glued in place.
Cork lamellas - damaged elements are cut with a circular saw and removed with a chisel and hammer. A spike is cut off at the new plank, joiner's glue or PVA is applied around the perimeter, inserted into place and loaded for at least a day.
So, caring for and restoring a cork floor is not too complicated and time-consuming processes. They should not be neglected if you want the floor to serve successfully for many years.
Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for their selection. Just send in the form below a detailed description of the work that needs to be performed and you will receive offers with prices from construction teams and firms to your mail. You can see reviews of each of them and photos with examples of work. It is FREE and non-binding.
Currently, laminate is one of the most popular floor coverings.
It is used in the arrangement of all types of premises:
- residential;
- office;
- public.
Such popularity of this material is due to the many positive characteristics inherent in it, in particular, deserves mention:
- ease of installation;
- high aesthetic qualities;
- low price;
- excellent performance.
Despite this, swelling of the laminate is quite often observed, which leads not only to a deterioration in the aesthetic properties of the room, but also causes certain inconveniences. In this article, illustrated with a photo, we will take a closer look at what to do if the laminate is swollen.
Note! Our tips will help you figure out how to fix a bloated laminate with your own hands.
Don't panic - all problems can be solved
And although the price of such a floor covering as laminate is not so high, however, this is not a reason to immediately start replacing it if certain defects have arisen on its surface.
Defects can manifest themselves in different ways:
- bloating;
- irregularities;
- waves.
In such situations, it is important to know to understand why the laminate is swollen and only after that proceed to eliminate defects. Do not panic and try to replace the flooring immediately. Such drastic measures can be dispensed with.
The main causes of damage to the coating
So, let's figure out why the laminate is swelling.
There may be several main reasons for this negative "effect":
- stacking errors;
- the material itself is of poor quality;
- a large amount of water has been spilled on the floor.
Why the laminate is swollen is easy to determine by the features of manifestation :
- a wavy effect manifests itself in the event of improper installation, when the gap between the walls and the coating was not provided;
- swelling at the joints, slight swelling is typical at high moisture content of the coating.
Advice. You should start completely replacing the coating only if it was found out that the floor defects are due to the low quality of the laminate. In other cases, it is quite possible to eliminate irregularities.
How to align laminate flooring
In this section, we will look at how you can remedy the situation if the laminate floor heaves for one reason or another.
Water is to blame
First of all, let's figure out what to do if the laminate is swollen from the water. Perhaps this is one of the most popular causes of damage to the coating.
There can be a great variety of options for excessive moisture:
- dropped a cup of tea;
- an inverted vase of flowers;
- too intensive wet cleaning using a large amount of water, and so on.
Regardless of what exactly caused the deterioration of the coating, it is important to understand how to eliminate the bulging of the laminate so that it will please again with its great aesthetic properties.
Advice. To prevent such damage to the coating, it is recommended to periodically treat it with paraffin or polishes that repel moisture.
In some cases, after evaporation of moisture, the floor becomes even again, takes on its original appearance, but such a "trick" is possible only with expensive high-quality materials that do not absorb moisture like a sponge, but are still capable of repelling it at least a little.
To rid the floor of excess moisture, you will have to disassemble the laminate, since most often the water is collected underneath. If you do this immediately after spilling a lot of water, then the laminate will not have time to heave.
The second option is to replace damaged panels, but this is not always effective and rational, especially if the flooring has been used before for several years, since the coating has lost its natural color and even if you buy panels of the same brand, they will stand out against the general background.
Advice. In this case, you can do it differently. Remove some of the panels that are under any furniture, for example, under a table or cabinet, and rearrange the damaged ones, and replace the damaged ones with panels of a different shade - they are still not visible under the furniture.
Installation errors
The second common variant of the appearance of errors on the coating is errors during its installation. Most often this is expressed in the fact that the installer did not leave space between the panels and the wall.
This is due to the fact that over time, the coating expands and, resting against the wall, begins to rise, waves are formed on it.
- remove the baseboards;
- mark the laminate so that after cutting between the wall (taking into account the plinth) and the flooring there is at least one and a half centimeters of free space.
- cut off excess areas of the coating;
- install skirting boards.
Advice. Another reason why there may be problems with the quality of the coating is the installation of door holders on the laminate. If you need to install such a device, it is better to cut a small hole in the cover.
How to prevent bloating
First of all, it is necessary to adhere to the coating installation technology, which is not as complicated as it might seem. The main thing is to fit each tile strictly joint to joint, to keep the distance between the tiles and the wall around the perimeter of the room - about one and a half to two centimeters.
This will help to avoid puffing up later on as the laminate expands. If you are installing this flooring in a bathroom or kitchen, be sure to treat it with special moisture-repelling agents.
And the most important thing is to buy only high-quality material. Its difference from a low-quality one is essential! And it is expressed, in particular, in the fact that it does not absorb moisture so much and tolerates the influence of high temperature better. Naturally, the price will differ, but it is better to invest in good material that will delight you for many years than to constantly change the coating, which will ultimately lead to even higher costs.
In conclusion
By adhering to the rules and tips given above, you can not only protect the coating from moisture, but also quickly return it to its perfect appearance if the laminate is still swollen.
In the video presented in this article, you will find additional information on this topic.