We are going to put in new laminate flooring in our Family Room this weekend and for the next few months we are going to be installing it in every room in the house. I have heard wonderful things about it and I have heard how easy it is to take care of. They say all you have to do is dust mop it and use a damp mop to clean it.

My question is, what happens if you spill something on it? They say not to saturate it with water when you are cleaning but you can't help it if something spills on it. We are also going to install it in our Kitchen that is why I am asking this question. What if one of the kids spills Juice or milk on it? Will it go into the cracks of the wood? What is the best way to clean it? It's a laminate not real wood.

Thanks

By Gammiejoan on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 06:19 pm:

We have the laminate flooring in our computer room, and I love it. My husband installed ours, and for a while we had planned to put it in all our bedrooms. We ended up putting carpet in the bedrooms, but I don't think we would have gone wrong if we had used the laminate in them. It is very easy to clean. Like you've been told, you can just use your dust mop and wet mop. Nothing has been spilled on ours, but I don't think that anything spilled would go down in any cracks because it is lock-tight. As long as you clean it up soon after the spilling, I doubt if it would be a problem at all. I tend to think that most things spilled would just bead up on the surface. Are you installing it yourselves or is someone doing it for you? The reason I'm asking is because my husband says that you need to read the directions carefully especially when it comes to installing it in the kitchen or bathroom. There is a glue-like and silicon product that you use with the boards near the sink or any other place where a lot of water could get on the floor.

By Andi on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 07:19 pm:

My husband is going to install it. We are starting with the family room and the stairs then the Living room and the kitchen after that we have another set of stairs our bedroom and a hallway. We are going to put Caroet in the kids rooms so they can sit on the floor and play.

By Eve on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 07:56 pm:

It will be fine, Andi. It locks together and overlaps a bit and not much will get in there. Something major would have to spill and sit for a long time to warp it. Just like real wood-a lot of water is not good either. You should see me load the dishwasher, I get water all over the floor! Plus, I've spilt many things and it's been fine! You really will love it. I swear it cleans itself. Good Luck this weekend!

My only tip is to buy a little extra flooring. So, if a piece gets damaged, you can change it out down the road and you have a matching piece.

By Bobbie on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 08:03 pm:

My sister has this flooring in her kitchen. She watches 5 kids and has a 1 year old of her own. The floor is constantly being spilt on and it is none the worse for the wear. I think they are meaning dumping and leaving the liquid sitting. But you wouldn't want to do that on any flooring. I think it will be fine and that you will be so happy when it is done. Been thinking about doing our house in it too down the road...
Good luck to DH...

By Truestori on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 08:25 pm:

Good tip Eve! My girlfriends dishwasher was leaking and she didn't realize it until her pergo started to swell. She had no flooring saved and they discontinued the color she choose. She had to have the floor all re-done. She recommeded saving atleast 2 boxes, just in case.

Andi,
One other side note, make sure the warranty still stands strong if your hubby installs it. I have heard that flooring manufacturers can get picky.
I'm sure it will look awesome, please post pic's when its done!

By Mrse on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 08:38 pm:

I think that the thickness, of the laminate is important. My mom got the cheapest, when she did her kitchen, and they have thier kitchen table in front of thier patio doors, and mom, had a chair with rollers that she always sat in, within two month the grit from the doorway got on the wheels and acted like sandpaper, so the seams by the door wore away within the two months. The floor is fine everywhere else, but I have heard their is a certain cleaner you are to use on it when you actually wash it. One other thing is we noticed water spots not sure if she got it out or not, I rubbed it with a cloth and it did not come out not sure why that was happening. My cousin bought the top line stuff but it was real wood planks, and they said they would never get that installed in a house again,as it marked up so easy, and they would actually go with the laminate. I too, want to put some in my living room, one day hopefully soon.

By Andi on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 10:04 pm:

The flooring we bought has a 20 year warranty and as for buying extra my DH added 10% to the sq. footage so we would have extra. The warranty will be fine even if he installs it so we are all set. Thank you guys so much for all your help in answering my questions and all your great advice.
Maybe I will try to post before and after pictures one day next week.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 11:50 pm:

My best friend put in a laminate floor when she had her kitchen remodeled. She loves it. Hers looks like 12" by 12" tiles, but it's flooring tiles, not ceramic tiles.

By Eve on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 07:53 am:

Andi, Just remember my tip for the glue for the outer edge pieces. You have to use the Pergo brand for the warranty to be good. You sound all set though! You'll love it!

By Andi on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 10:30 am:

We ended up going with a different brand other than Pergo but I will ask my husband about the glue. Thanks.

By Andi on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 04:41 pm:

Eve,
I talked to the sales person at the store today and he said you don't use glue with this laminant because you want the wood to expand and contract. If you glue down the edge pieces then it can't do that. It's funny how many different brands there are to choose from.
Thanks for all the great advice and I will be sure to post a picture soon. Keep your fingers crossed that is all goes smooth this weekend.
Andi

By Jjandmom on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 01:19 pm:

I have the laminant floor put down in my kitchen it is in there since 1999 I love it. But you do have to watch with anything wet laying on the floor my daughter left a bottle of soda laying on the floor and right on the cracked it is glued together and it seems to be lifting a little I'm glad its pretty close to the edge where you can't see it much, But let alone that I love it.

By Kate on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 01:25 pm:

What is Caroet??

By Andi on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 03:18 pm:

DH is almost done. All he has left to do is install the floor molding then I will post some pictures. It looks soooooooooooooo much better than the old carpet. I can't wait till we can do the rest of the house!