Can You Simply Remove Swollen Laminate? What You Should Know Before Trying

Laminate floors are affordable and durable, making them a popular choice with homeowners who love the aesthetic of wood floors but don't love the price tag. They're also easy to install and easy to maintain. However, laminate floors can also be susceptible to moisture damage, which can cause the planks to swell. If you're unlucky enough to experience swollen laminate floors, you may wonder whether you can simply remove and repair them. However, doing so can be difficult, or even impossible — especially if the damaged planks are in the middle of the room — and isn't recommended.

There are several ways your laminate floors could be exposed to moisture. If you live in an area with high humidity, the moisture in the air can cause your flooring to swell. Floorboards can also expand if you spill liquid on them. Some of the main signs it's time to replace laminate flooring include splitting, buckling, peeling, and cracking. 

Laminate flooring is made from several layers of fiberboard and a top layer of resin (also called the wear layer) that protects it against stains, spills, and other damage. However, the core fiber layers can begin to absorb water and swell up after just four hours — and those layers can take weeks to dry.

Some sources claim that it's possible to dry out wet laminate floorboards using a hair dryer, heater, or dehumidifier. However, once the floorboards are wet enough to swell, the damage has been done and the boards are beyond repair. Even if you could repair them with a hairdryer or dehumidifier, you'd need to remove the affected floorboards to dry them properly — and unless the boards are at the room's edge, this will mean removing more than just the affected board.

However, you may be able to salvage the flooring if you act quickly when you notice a spill. To prevent your laminate floor from lifting, wipe up spills immediately and avoid using a traditional mop bucket or steam cleaner to keep the floor clean. These are two of the worst cleaning products that can damage laminate floors because they can cause swelling, warping, and lifting. Proper care and maintenance can help protect your floors from moisture damage.