What Means To Use For Processing Laminate After Flooring

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 22:24

• Need for processing
• Preparatory work
• Using wax compositions
• Laminate polish
• Advantages of mastic
• Features of the use of sealant
• Method of using grout

Laminate is a floor covering with a high degree of wear resistance. At the same time, its service life will completely depend on how well they are cared for during operation, as well as what measures are taken after laying it to protect all connecting elements. In the latter case, several options for the materials and tools used can be used, which should be familiarized with in more detail.

Need for processing

Post-installation treatment of the laminate is necessary to increase the length of the operational period.

Despite the fact that the floor covering is synthetic, it requires additional processing to increase the level of protection against moisture. In addition, another option is the restoration of old lamellas, which have seen a lot in their lifetime. Damage appears when constantly walking on it, as well as when dragging furniture from place to place.

If you process the lamellas in time with special tools and materials, then not only will you not have to repair the laminate, but its service life will be significantly increased. In addition, moisture from the outside will no longer get inside through the seams and interlocks, which can cause serious damage to the flooring.

Preparatory work

Before starting work on processing the laminate after laying, a number of preparatory measures should be taken, including purchasing the necessary material for work.

The latter include:

• A piece of cloth that shouldn't be stiff.
• Spatula with rubber base.
• A respirator for work, capable of protecting the entire face from the possible ingress of special equipment with which you have to work.
• Soft sponge.
• Hand protection gloves.

Regardless of what the cost of the laminate and which manufacturer, you will still have to face a problem - very vulnerable locking joints. They need careful handling not only during the sub-floor assembly but also after the final installation.

The highest density is achieved if they are treated with special wax during installation. They will fit snugly together, which additionally protects the seams between the lamellas. There are laminate models that have already been waxed. At the same time, one should pay attention to the fact that often negligent sellers try to hide the existing flaws and damage to the lamellas in this way.

After laying the laminate flooring on the subfloor, it should be thoroughly vacuumed to get rid of any debris and even dust. All this in the future can easily get into the seams of the laminate, posing a threat to destruction during operation and the appearance of extraneous sound, crunch.

For work, a large number of funds presented in the hardware store can be used. You should pay special attention to their choice, looking at the colors and method of application. It will not be superfluous to consult in advance so as not to waste your money.

Using wax compositions

Each master will say that the most "dangerous" places subject to changes during operation are the lock joints or, more simply, the joints between the lamellas.

Moisture and other irritants of the laminate easily get into these places. They can enter not only from the outside, but also from the side of the concrete floor in the form of condensation.

Liquid wax can cope with this problem. At the same time, one should only pay attention to the fact that the application should be carried out only on the locking joints themselves, and not on the laminate itself. There are certain tasks that the wax composition can handle:

1. No squeaks during operation when walking.
2. The strength of the tool joints increases, contributes to a decrease in the level of deformation under external loads. This can be the arrangement of furniture on the lamellas themselves, its movement, etc.

3. The wax composition will help great during installation. Laying laminate flooring can be done faster and better.

   

The easiest way is to purchase a wax composition and independently process the lamellas. The finished version of the laminate will cost much more, which will not be very good with a budget version. In this case, the material itself is best inspected carefully before purchase.

It should be noted that the laminate itself should never be waxed, as this will only damage the protective layer of the floor covering. The manufacturers themselves also do not do this for this reason.

You should work carefully with wax compositions and there are certain rules for this. All of them are usually prescribed on the packaging for the product. In this case, each composition requires special conditions of use.

Use a regular brush to apply liquid or paste wax. The castle is completely covered except for the presence of certain areas with security elements. In this case, all work is best done beforehand before laying.

Laminate polish

After installing the laminate, polishes can be applied to increase the level of protection. They are also actively used in surface treatment after a certain operational period for renewal. They are sold not only as a liquid spray, but also in solid form. With all this, you do not need to carefully rub the product into the surface.

When applying, a sponge is used, which is selected at the preparatory stage. There are no special requirements for it. Polish with a piece of soft cloth. The application is carried out along the lamellas in order to achieve a uniform color, without streaks or spots. More time and effort will have to be spent when applying solid compounds, which may be a special mastic.

The easiest option is to use water-based emulsions. They are diluted in a certain amount of water. After that, all that remains is to rinse the floor surface with the resulting solution and enjoy the beauty. But the effect will be noticeably lower than when using polishes and mastics. It is enough to apply them 2 times a year.

Advantages of mastic

If you need really serious protection of the laminate after installation, it is best to use a special mastic that has additional flavorings. Locks become more resistant and get better quality.

When all actions are followed according to the rules, moisture and dust will not penetrate into the flooring. With mastic you can achieve the following goals:

1. Humidity protection guarantee.
2. All floor elements are connected firmly and securely.
3. External mechanical impact does not threaten the floor covering.
4. Dust will not start to accumulate on the lamellas themselves.

If it is known that at the time of purchase of the material it has already been treated with special means for protection, then the use of mastic should be abandoned. Improving the quality is unlikely to succeed, but you can easily damage the flooring.

If various defects appear on the surface of the laminate during operation, solid mastic will help perfectly. The application of the product is performed only on the area that is damaged. At the end of the work, the surface is thoroughly polished using any available means (fluffy piece of fabric). Mastic residues may remain on the lamellas. In this case, they are removed with a plastic spatula.

Features of the use of sealant

After laying the laminate, even by specialists, gaps may appear between the lamellas. In order to get rid of such a defect, a special sealant is usually used, presented in the form of a putty. Its popularity has increased over time due to its demonstrated qualities, better than those of the previously considered options. Among them:

• Elasticity.

  

• Durability.
• Moisture resistance.
• Perfection.
• Reliability.

The sealant contains silicone, which exhibits some of the above qualities. During operation, this tool is not afraid of elevated temperatures, and the sealing of seams and gaps of the laminate is performed at the highest level. The main thing is to choose the tone of the sealant to match the surface of the laminate. In this case, he will remain invisible and invisible.

Method of using grout

In the event of the slightest damage to the interlocks, moisture easily gets to the lower layers, posing a threat to the quality and durability of the flooring. To avoid this, special grouting is used. It is great for removing chips or holes that have appeared.

Grout is used most often in those rooms where there is a threat of increased moisture - kitchen, bathroom, toilet, children's rooms, dryers, etc. Laminate joints must be protected and where people constantly walk, bulky objects and furniture move.

There is an established procedure for applying grout, which includes a sequential series of actions. The gel is applied to the longitudinal and lobe sides of the laminate lamellas along the locks. In this case, the lamellas themselves must be connected before the grout dries. The excess part of the product will come out, which can be easily removed. True, all excess is removed after 15 minutes after application.

After laying the laminate, the sequence for applying the grout is as follows:

1. The lamella joint is thoroughly cleaned from dust and dirt.
2. Use masking tape to create a protective layer over the rest of the lamella. This will prevent damage to it.
3. Apply the grout with a rubber trowel. It is also used to level the surface.
4. Using a dry dense cloth, after 15-20 minutes, not only masking tape is removed, but also all possible areas with residues of the protective agent.

All of the above means for protecting the laminate after laying will allow it to retain its original properties for a long period. Its reliability increases markedly. In some cases, special tools are used to restore the original appearance during operation.

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