How to Repair Swollen Laminate Flooring Like a Pro: Step-by-step solutions, pro tips, and real-life stories to bring swollen laminate floors back to life.

If you’ve ever walked barefoot and suddenly felt a squishy, uneven spot in your laminate floors, you’re not alone. Swollen laminate flooring happens more than you think—whether it’s from an unnoticed pet-water spill, a leaking plant pot, or that time your washing machine went rogue. Fixing it can be simple, but knowing the right process is key. Here’s what you need to know and how to actually repair swollen laminate flooring, so you can enjoy a level, beautiful floor again.

Plan Before You Repair

Before grabbing tools, figure out what caused your laminate to swell. Most cases trace back to moisture—common culprits are leaky pipes, rainy shoes, or condensation from HVAC units. Be thorough: look under appliances and along baseboards for hidden puddles or leaks. As an interior designer, I always urge clients to fix the source first, or repairs won’t last. If you need to re-plan the layout around potential wet zones, check guides like revamping your floor arrangement efficiently for smarter solutions.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

One of the biggest mistakes is trying to sand or squeeze out the bulge. Unlike real wood, laminate has a fiberboard core—water makes it puff up and the damage is usually permanent on those planks. Don’t waste time with steamers or weights. Instead, the right move is to replace only the affected boards. It sounds daunting, but with the correct approach (and patience), you can restore a seamless look. Pro tip: keep extra planks from the original install for color-match. If not, try removing a damaged plank from under a couch or closet for a perfect fix.

AI-Assisted Modeling: Visualize Your Repair

Modern tools now help preview the end result before you start ripping out boards. DIYers are increasingly using AI-powered home design previews to model which boards will need replacement, test out transitions between rooms, or even plan an upgrade if more than a small area is affected. This helps avoid that patchwork look that sometimes plagues quick repairs. I recommend visualizing various layouts before starting, especially in open-plan spaces.

Level of Detail & Time

Repairing swollen laminate typically takes a few hours, depending on the area. Here’s how:

1. Remove baseboards and molding from the problem area gently.
2. Use a crowbar or chisel to carefully lift or unlock the swollen planks. Laminate usually clicks together, so find the nearest wall and work inward.
3. Replace with new or matching planks. If you can’t find the exact style, move a less visible plank and use it in the repaired area.
4. Let your floor acclimate 24 hours before re-installing baseboards.
5. Check moisture levels beneath—use a dehumidifier before resetting the floor, especially in basements.

In one project, we traced a chronic issue to a missed window leak. Only after running a virtual room simulation could we see how water pooled along the window sill, guiding the full repair plan.

Case Story: From Soggy to Sleek

A client came home from vacation to warped floors in the living room. Insurance covered the leak, but the biggest worry was a mismatched floor. We used a digital mockup to decide which planks to swap and which corners to steal replacement pieces from. After a weekend of careful work and some help from a neighbor, the client couldn’t tell new from old—and even upgraded to water-resistant boards in high-risk zones. Swapping out 3 planks cost far less than a full room redo!

FAQ

1. What causes swollen laminate flooring?
2. Water exposure from spills, leaks, or high humidity. Always deal with the water source first.
3. Can you repair swollen laminate without replacing planks?
4. Unfortunately, no—if the material has swollen, it’s irreparable. Replacement is the only real fix.
5. How do I match new planks if my style is discontinued?
6. Take a sample to a flooring store for the best match or move pieces from hidden spots like under furniture.
7. What’s the fastest way to detect hidden moisture?
8. Use a moisture meter, or look for discoloration and mildew smells along the edges and subfloor.
9. Should I try to sand swollen spots?
10. No. Laminate isn’t solid wood and sanding will ruin it further. Replacement is the way to go.
11. Do I have to remove the whole floor?
12. Usually not. Most floating floors allow you to work from the wall to the damaged area only.
13. Can I repair a small bubble or bulge?
14. If it's just a surface bubble and not a core swell, sometimes heavy weights help (rarely). Real swelling means replace.
15. Is water-resistant laminate worth it?
16. If your home is prone to moisture, investing in water-resistant laminate for problematic areas can save future headaches.
17. How can I prevent future swelling?
18. Use area rugs, control humidity, and fix leaks immediately. Consider a floor plan update to direct high-traffic away from wet zones.
19. Is professional help required?
20. Most handy homeowners can tackle single-board repairs. Larger issues or subfloor rot need a pro evaluation.
21. How long should I wait before walking on repairs?
22. Give 24 hours for boards to settle and adjust to humidity before heavy use.
23. Can I use AI or virtual tools to plan repair?
24. Absolutely—virtual planners make it much easier to visualize which planks to replace and with what colors.