Laminate Flooring Repairs start with an assessment of what went wrong, followed by replacing the damaged boards or correcting the cause, such as a missing expansion gap. Laminate cannot be sanded and refinished like solid timber, so a damaged board is replaced rather than restored.
Send photos and a short description of the damage to get repair quotations.
Get the Best QuoteCommon Problems
- Swollen edges. Water got into the joints. The core does not shrink back, so those boards are replaced.
- Chips and deep scratches. Small marks can be filled with a colour-matched repair kit. Larger damage means a new board.
- Lifting or peaking. Usually no expansion gap, or skirting, cabinets or door stops pinning the floor.
- Gaps between boards. Damaged click joints or a subfloor that is not flat.
- Bounce and creaking. Dips in the subfloor or unsuitable underlay.
How a Repair Is Assessed
- Find the cause. The installer checks for leaks, damp, missing gaps or an uneven subfloor.
- Fix the cause. A leak or pinned edge is sorted out first, or the damage comes back.
- Match the boards. Spare boards from the original installation are ideal. Discontinued decors are hard to match.
- Replace. Boards near a wall are unclicked and refitted. Boards in the middle may be cut out and a new board glued in.
- Finish. Skirting and profiles are refitted and the area is checked.
Laminate Flooring Repair Prices
Repairs are usually priced per job after the installer has seen the damage. These ballpark figures show the main parts of a repair price.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Laminate boards, supply only, per m² | R150 - R600 |
| Installation labour, per m² | R90 - R250 |
| Transition strips and mouldings, each | R150 - R400 |
| Skirting, labour only, per metre | R45 - R100 |
| Levelling compound, per m² | R30 - R80 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Ballpark figures, rounded, taken from rates published by South African flooring businesses and cost guides. They are not our prices or quotations, and no installer is bound by them. Most sources do not say whether VAT is included, so confirm VAT, underlay, trims, delivery and wastage on every quotation.
Sources:
- Builders in Gauteng - laminate flooring installation cost
- ServiceLink SA - laminate flooring installation guide with costs
- Completo - flooring costs in South Africa
- LaminateFloors.co.za - laminate flooring installation cost
- Builders in Gauteng - skirting board fitting cost per metre
Ask whether a minimum or call-out charge applies to small repairs.
When Replacement Makes More Sense
- Water damage has spread across a large part of the room.
- The decor is discontinued and no matching boards are available.
- The subfloor is damp or uneven and has to be corrected anyway.
- The boards are worn through across the main walkways.
Not sure whether to repair or replace? Ask installers to quote for both.
Get the Best QuoteLaminate Flooring Repairs FAQs
Can swollen laminate be fixed?
Not by drying it out. Swelling damages the core permanently, so the affected boards are replaced.
Can laminate be sanded?
No. The pattern is a printed layer under a thin wear layer. Sanding removes it.
Can one board in the middle of a room be replaced?
Yes. Installers either unclick the rows from the nearest wall or cut out the damaged board and glue in a new one.
What if I do not have spare boards?
The installer will look for the same decor. If it is discontinued, a close match or replacing the whole room may be the options.
Related Guides
Request repair quotations through Laminated Flooring South Africa and ask each installer to explain the cause of the damage.
Laminated Flooring South Africa is a quote-comparison service. We do not supply or install flooring or employ installers. Work is quoted and carried out by independent flooring businesses, and your contract is with the business you choose. Ask each one for a written quotation that names the product, underlay, trims, preparation, timing and any warranty terms before you pay a deposit.
Laminate Flooring Repairs. Describe your flooring job once and compare replies from independent installers.
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