HI wevans,

Maybe, maybe not. I'm more inclined to think not.

Since the tongue is glued, you really can't remove it as you would to a traditional grove where glue isn't used. In the latter case, the plank is sawed-out down the middle, and then the 2 pieces are removed along w/the nails/staples. In your case, you MAY be able to remove the pieces but now, how do you keep the NEW pieces from, well ..., coming loose??? Perhaps you can glue them down to the floor but will there be a 'problem' with the rows on either side of the replaced pieces now?

Perhaps you ought to ctc. the mfgr of your flooring for ideas. Or, have a pro come in and tell you what he'd do. Maybe, you can first visit a Retailer. If your particular problem is solvable, you're right there to buy some 'parts' for the job.

My best to ya and hope this helps.

Jay J -Moderator

wevans, Absolutely replace damaged planks. No problem. There are no staples or nails used in laminate flooring installations if you follow good practice or any manufacturers instructions so no worry. I would need to know what brand of flooring you wish to repair or the visible dimensions of the planks to explain the removal process and the router bit used to re cut the flooring for insertion of the new planks. Feel free to send me an e-mail for further info.

Hi AzFred,

You're saying you rout-out the groove in the flooring that's left, well ..., on the floor so you can insert a new piece? Beings this is how it's done (I'm figuring this based on your reply), then how do you get the new piece in since the groved end of the piece going in needs to fit onto the tongue of the piece on the floor? I know how to do this repair with traditional hardwood but not w/a laminate floor. (With a traditional 3/4" hardwood strip, first you rip the tongue on the replacement piece, then you slip the groove of the replacement-piece onto the tongue of the piece on the floor, then face-nail it to the floor.) Back to the problem at hand ... Unless the laminate was glued to the floor to begin with, how's the replacement piece gonna stay in place on its grooved side once it's set into place? In the Poster's post, his laminate is floating ...

Thanks for the comeback.

Jay J -Moderator

Jay; Pick up a set of instructions or check a web site for ANY brand of glued assembly laminate flooring. The repair is pretty common. The router bit is available from the manufacturer for their profile and most professional installers keep one on "the truck". A cut out of the board is made and then a chisel is used to clean up the opening. Then rout for the new tongue. remove the bottom of the grooved side of the replacement plank and add glue and insert the tongue in the groove you have made in the existing plank and set the plank down on the existing tongue. There will be a void on the bottom where the bottom "cord" was removed to allow pressing in place. This is much easier done than explained. Get the instructions... pictures are included. With the newer Glueless laminate floor the process is very much easier and no special router bits or other specialized tools are needed.

Hi AzFred,

Uh, your description sounds exactly like the same 'principle' that I described for traditional hardwood with the exception of routing out the 'old toungue' (and using glue vs. nails/staples.) I'm just trying to learn here. (I hope I came across as knowing what I'm doing in my Followup.)

You say no worry. And is the average DIYer gonna be able to get a bit and a router and not mess it up if he hasn't done this before? Sometimes, I guess, some jobs are best left to a Pro. I'd like to see the average DIYer do this repair with 3/8 laminate or Pergo. Put a man on the moon? Sure, it can be done.

Jay J

Sure.. a Pro will have done this several times and know the in's and out's better than a DIY gal or guy. He most likely won't have to run out and but a router bit either and this one ain't cheap. That said, the router bit is piloted and runs right down on the subfloor. On the second attempt most handy folks will get it right and find it fairly easy to accomplish. It does take time and does make a degree of mess to clean up. One reason why I like the glueless laminate flooring.

Hi Wevans,

Well, if you want a go at it, first, I'd ctc. the MFGR. to be SURE your particular type of flooring can be repaired. Second, I'd find out what it is that needs to be done. Third, if 'first' and 'second' don't happen/work, ctc. a Pro for an estimate. Once he's told you how he, generally, does the repair, you can try, ...Fourth: See <a href="http://doityourself.com/laminate/plank_replacement.htm">How To Repair A Laminated Plank</a>. All this assuming your flooring is repaired in this manner.

Again, in short, some jobs are best left to a Pro. This is one of them, IMO.

My best to ya and hope this helps.

Jay J -Moderator

PS: Even the Pros have difficulty doing this. Like I said earlier on, I'd like to see him/her rout-out 3/8" laminate w/o damaging the 'good piece' still on the floor. If done, it's certainly attributed to skill, the right bit, and some luck ...

Ooops!

Hi Wevans,

[url=http://doityourself.com/laminate/plank_replacement.htm]How To Repair A Laminated Plank[\url]

Jay J -Moderator

Just shoot me ...

Ooops!

Hi Wevans,
http://doityourself.com/laminate/plank_replacement.htm

Jay J -Moderator