We tell how to cover the laminated floor, how to seal the seams and how to care for the laminate, so that he served longer.
The service life of the 33rd class laminate, designed for public premises, is about 20 years, and the simplest, 21st class, intended for the house, is only a few years. Figures, of course, very approximate and largely depend on the operating conditions. We propose to study ways to extend the life of the laminate.
What to treat the surface of the laminate
1. Waxes
Laminate is constantly exposed to mechanical influences: computer chair wheels, bed legs or chairs, heels, animal claws and much more. Naturally, even the most resistant coating sooner or later be damaged. If we are talking about scratches, shawls and small chips, you can use special wax for laminate. It is liquid, soft (in the form of pencils) or hard. The composition is necessary in accordance with the color of the coating. As a rule, this is not a problem, as the market presents a wide range of waxes of various shades.
Liquid wax
Liquid wax is applied to small sections of a damaged surface. Pre-laminate should be washed and dried, and after applying wax to polish the soft rag. After 3 hours, the polishing should be repeated. To obtain the desired result, it is not recommended to walk around the treated laminate for about 12 hours. The price of such a composition is from 250 rubles. For 1 l.Soft wax
Soft wax is better to always keep at hand to restore the coating on time without allowing water to scratch. To remove damage, it is necessary to clean it from dirt and simply paint the wax pencil. Deep damage painted in several techniques, waiting for every layer. When the surface becomes smooth and the wax dries off, the processed place must be polished with a soft cloth. The price of the wax pencil - 200-300 rubles.
Solid Wax
The solid wax before use is heated by the soldering iron and gently poured into scratches. After drying, the surplus needs to be removed using a knife. The renovated surface is recommended to be covered with protective varnish. Cost - from 50 rubles. For bar.
Restoring wax is designed for local applications, since when processing large areas, not avoiding the appearance of divorces.
2. Mastiki
Want to save the color of the laminate? Need to return an attractive type of flooring? Dream to the floor to be clean longer? Then treat the laminate with special mastic. This composition is designed specifically in order to increase moisture resistance, extend the life, improve the wear resistance of the floor covering. It is the composition of 350 rubles. for 0.5 l. One processing is missing on average for a couple of months.
If the mastic in the form of spray, the composition is sprayed on the surface and rubbed with a sponge.
The mastic in the form of an emulsion must be diluted with water in the ratio indicated by the manufacturer, and then handle the floor, also rubbing the product with a sponge.
When using the finished liquid mastic for applying the composition, it is recommended to use a tissue napkin.
Mastic is not designed to repair the laminate, but to prevent the appearances of damage.
Whatever the composition you choose, the preparatory work is always the same: the floor must be carefully flushed and dry and only after that apply the protective composition. After processing the medium it is necessary to give a good dry. Up to this point, it is forbidden to walk on the surface.
How to protect castle connections
Why laminate, such as the simplest, 31st class, can cost 250 rubles / m2, and maybe 350 and more? Among the reasons - impregnation of the lock system with special wax. It would seem, why do I need to mass ends, which are not even visible? Another marketing move? In fact, the processing of locks affects the comfort of operation of the floor covering and the duration of its service life.
So, what does the impregnation of the lock system? First, additional floorpiece of the floor. The compound is obtained more dense, respectively, water does not pass through the slots. In addition, a protective film is created on the surface of the laminate castle, which prevents moisture from entering the material. Secondly, such a laminate will not climb over time. Wax in this case is a kind of lubricant preventing friction.
At the same time, there are special sealances in the market for lubricating laminate castle compounds. They are used during the assembly, processing every end of the canvas. It gives the same effect as waxing factory processing, that is, protection against moisture and preventing the screens. It should be understood that this kind of compositions only form a protective coating, but do not fasten the panels among themselves. Consequently, the treated laminate can be disassembled and collecting again. The cost of sealant is different. It can be 450 rubles. For tuba 500 ml. Approximate consumption - 50-80 ml per 1 m2. Or 250 rubles. For 125 ml with an approximate flow rate of 13-15 ml per 1 m2. There are other options. Cost and consumption differ depending on the manufacturer.
Compared to factory laminate with rolling locks, the use of the sealant may be advantageous, but it is impossible not to take into account the temporary and labor costs for applying the composition. If you have no experience in laying laminate, the need to process ends can be a whole problem.
The result of the treatment of laminate becomes an increase in its moisture resistance. But this does not mean that on the floor you can pour water or wash it too wet cloth. The basic rules of care remain the same: a slightly wet rag and immediately stuffed water. No coating from the laminate will endure constant winding and abundant moisture.
How to apply sealant
- Sealant can be applied in the groove of the compound or on the top of the castle ridge. The first option is preferable, since the mass in this case is evenly distributed throughout the end of the panel.
- The masters are also recommended for blancing the composition not to use a brush or rag, but a piece of laminate with a lock. Insert the crop of the lock in the groove with wax and spend along the entire length. Thus, it is possible to quickly and evenly distribute the composition on the surface.
- Some sealants are quickly thick, therefore, before processing a complex compound, it is recommended to first prepare the details, collect, accurately fit into size, disassemble and only after that apply the composition on locks.
- While working should be very careful. Some formulations have a sufficiently sharp smell, and can also destroy substrates from extruded polystyrene.
- Surplus sealant formed during the compaction sealing, it is necessary to safely remove no later than 15-20 minutes after applying. Especially thoroughly close to the question, if the laminate with the chamsters, as it is extremely difficult to remove the dried composition from the recesses.
- Buying sealant, take a means with some reserve. Of most tubes, extract the whole composition is almost impossible. In addition, when the sealant comes to an end, it becomes difficult to apply it, and at the same time a uniform distribution is very difficult.
The rules of operation of the laminate that will extend his service
- Wash the floor with plenty of water.
- Use abrasive detergents.
- Apply sharp objects to remove contaminants.
- Use moisture rugs on the surface of laminate.
- Stop carpets on the surface of the laminate, under which the coolest floor system is mounted.
Text: Natalia Stepanova
The article was published in the magazine "Tips of Professionals" No. 9 (2019). You can subscribe to the printed version of the publication.
