How to Seal Laminate Flooring Seams – A DIY Project

How to seal laminate flooring seams is a 4-step process. Although the application is quite easy, it's important that you get everything right. Each misstep could lead to unwanted damage and a waste of sealant for that matter.

The first thing you need to take care of is prepping the floor.

Think of the floor as your work area or canvas. Take everything you don't need out of the way so you can get maximum coverage and have an easier time during the application.

The prep work involves more than removing objects and furniture. Use a mop and wash your flooring. Even tiny specks of dust can affect the quality of the coating.

After you're done cleaning it would be a good time to put on some protective clothing. Some sealants contain potent ingredients that can damage your regular clothes or cause skin rashes. It's better to be safe than sorry.

To prepare the solution, you should check the label about how to do so - it differs from one type or brand to another.

You may have to mix two solutions together or dilute one solution with water. Either way, having a few buckets or containers around is a good idea. Get big ones if you're sealing a large room.

Other sealants come ready to use. If that's the case then you just have to wait until the floor dries out before applying the solution.

Applying the sealant is almost like painting. You can use a mop or a rag as your brush and spread the sealant on the laminate flooring.

Try to be as even as you can with the distribution. If the layer has thick spots you should notice a milky film forming. 

That should be removed and you should reapply sealant to that spot.

Of course, maybe one layer is not enough.

You can apply two or three layers of sealant to your laminate flooring if the formula works for multiple coatings. Check the label for information regarding potency and interaction with various types of wood.

Keep in mind that you should let the sealant dry completely before applying another layer of coating.

Also, don't go overboard with your use of sealant. After a certain point, it won't give you extra protection but it will change the way your flooring looks, altering its texture and color.

It's best if you let the sealant dry on its own. Don't try to rush it by using a heat source. Only do that if it's very wet or if the sealant's label mentions it.

After the flooring is all dried up you may want to use a clean rag or a floor buffer.

This can give your laminate flooring some much needed shine. It is especially helpful if you're using more than two coats of sealant.

You can even use the buffer in between applications, albeit this would make the whole process much longer. Generally, it is enough to use it after you're done sealing.

Here are all the items required for an easy DIY project.

• Mop

• Water

• Floor buffer

• Protective clothing

• Floor sealant of your choice

Now that you know how to seal laminate flooring seams, it's time to decide if the process is worth it or not.

Frankly, there are few people that bother sealing laminate flooring. 

Because this is cheap and usually temporary flooring, most consider the investment unnecessary, not to mention that laminate is more resistant to liquid than hardwood.

At the same time, those that worry about constant spills or potential flooding should probably take their time and apply a powerful sealant to try and minimize the damage.

That being said, most laminate flooring is quite well prepared for such situations.

Most laminate flooring already comes with protective coating and the chances of water penetrating and causing it to pop are slim at best.

However, this doesn't mean you shouldn't absorb or clean up any spills as quickly as possible, with or without extra sealant.