Laminate is perhaps one of the most common types of flooring today. To increase its service life and create a more visually attractive surface, you need to know what products can be used. One of these is wax. This article will discuss it, or rather its benefits, methods of use and popular brands of wax.
In order for the laminate to retain its original appearance and all its qualities for as long as possible, it must be properly cared for.
Why use wax for laminate flooring?
When used, wax for laminate flooring has a number of pronounced characteristics, such as:
- The film created by wax allows you to wipe the floor with wet mops without fear for the safety of the board. Water will not enter the joints and crevices, and thus will not form swelling.
- This coating will also protect against scratches or small cracks.
- Liquid wax is used as a filler, which can fill minor unevenness in the floor, giving it a perfectly smooth surface.
- If there is an animal living in the house, or such a coating is used in an office where there is a lot of traffic, then wax can prevent the appearance of minor scratches.
One of the main means for caring for laminate flooring is wax.
Note! It is not recommended to use this product on the entire floor surface, due to the fact that wax can negatively affect the external finish of the floor and create a streaky effect on it. It is worth applying it exclusively to the place where the seam from the laminate lock is formed. The only exceptions are special compounds that allow you to create a surface protective layer.
This product is considered indispensable for protecting the coating from various scratches and damage.
Damage to the board
Sometimes chips occur on the surface of a laminate floor due to heavy objects being dropped on it. This unpleasant phenomenon can be eliminated using mastic and the following actions:
- Clean the chipped area of dirt and sand it with sandpaper.
- In case of minor damage, it is necessary to immediately fill the hole with mastic.
- If the chip is large enough, you will have to apply the product in several layers, waiting for the previous one to dry.
- Each time the surface layer must be leveled with a plastic or rubber spatula.
- If there is a chipped piece of wood left, then mastic can be used to “glue” it into place.
Wax helps eliminate damage that has already appeared on the coating.
Deep scratches
If the scratches are deep enough, you will have to:
- Use the product in solid form, but first melt it. You can use a soldering iron for this. Moreover, its tip can be applied in measured doses directly into the scratch.
- But, if you are not sure about this, after melting the wax can be placed into the scratch using a knife.
- Working with paste wax is quite easy - after applying it, you just need to smooth the surface with a rubber spatula.
To restore laminate flooring, the use of soft or liquid wax is required.
Important! When applying wax, do it in a thin layer. This way the surface will remain neat and even.
Repair of abrasions in protective coating
Invariably, during use, abrasions will occur on the laminate. They form where people walk the most and where furniture feet rub against the floor.
It is necessary to apply the substance to the damaged area and remove excess.
These shortcomings can be leveled out by using wax crayons for laminate flooring. To do this, do:
- Cleaning the surface, which can be done with a knife or any other scraping tool.
- Then you need to take a pencil and move it with its end over the cleaned areas.
A wax pencil will help remove aesthetic defects.
Additional Information! Please note that there are wax pencils on sale that have a certain shade. Therefore, by selecting several of these products, you can imitate the pattern on the laminate.
Summarizing several types of repairs to laminate floors, the conclusion suggests itself that today manufacturers of floor treatment products offer natural wax in the following formats:
- pencil or chalk;
- liquid state;
- pasty;
- in the form of a sealant.
Laminate mastic is used to provide additional protection and durability of the coating.
Wax pencil for laminate
This product helps repair chips and scratches. With significant mechanical impact, unpleasant defects appear on the panels. The solution to this problem is to replace the damaged panel. But this option is suitable if the flooring was purchased with a reserve. Otherwise, the shade in different batches of the same manufacturer may differ. Therefore, using a laminate pencil is the most acceptable option.
For restoration, you need to choose the right shade. Laminate has the texture of natural wood, so several shades are available. It all depends on the scale of the scratch. We also recommend reading how to restore parquet with your own hands.
Laminate restoration technology:
- The damage is cleaned of fine dust and dirt. It is important to ensure that the sides of the scratch have an even cut.
- The product is applied to the defect. If several shades are used, then hard wax is applied as a continuation of the pattern on the canvases.
- Laminate repairs are completed by polishing the surface with a dry cloth.
Such manipulations will help against small and shallow scratches. For large defects, mastics and wax sealants are used.
The material is selected to match the main color of the panel. It’s good if the chipped part remains. This will make the repair somewhat easier. A laminate product with wax is applied to the defect and the broken area is glued. The excess is removed. The composition hardens and is polished.
Super-hard wax is also available on sale. This composition is melted before use. Then it is applied to the damaged areas and polished after hardening.
An important point when choosing a kit for repairs at home is whether the surface will be glossy or matte. Even with small defects, the resulting result will spoil the appearance. One can only imagine a matte stain on a glossy floor. It will stand out significantly from the general background.
Advantages of using mastic for laminate flooring
It is mastics, which are based on wax, that are the most popular means for treating wooden surfaces or laminate. This is due to the fact that with their help you can:
- create a protective layer that will increase the surface’s resistance to scratches;
- prevents moisture ingress;
- creates an attractive glossy appearance.
Mastic for laminate is a special mixture designed to increase the wear resistance of the coating and seal joints and seams.
Important! One of the significant disadvantages of mastic is that after application it emits an unpleasant odor in the room for quite a long time.
How to use wax
Wax can be sold in the form of a special oil or impregnation that helps protect the surface from abrasion. Millet is applied by rubbing over the surface with further ventilation of the room.
Due to the fact that the front part of the panel is covered with a textured image of natural wood, it is necessary to select the desired shade.
Liquid
Liquid compositions containing wax are so-called water-based floor coverings. It is necessary to understand that they can be used without any restrictions, but at the same time take into account that the most convenient are those that are in a liquid state. Among their advantages it is worth noting:
- fast drying process;
- they are extremely easy to apply – no need to use special devices;
- Depending on the thickness of the product, you should take a brush, a roller, and possibly a rag.
It is very important, even while laying the laminate, to coat the seams with liquid wax, which will act as a sealant.
Additional Information! Using liquid mastic also allows you to clean the layer of dirt from the laminate that has accumulated over the period of operation.
If liquid mastic was purchased in water-soluble form, then it must be diluted with plain water before application.
Treating locks and joints with wax paste will help avoid many problems.
Important! In this case, it is worth considering that the more water you add to the mastic when diluting, the less it will repel water from the surface of the coating.
Solid
You can also buy solid wax in hardware stores. They also treat the floor surface. But before this, be sure to warm it up to a state of complete melting. Liquid wax is poured into the places where it is necessary. As a rule, these are joints between two lamellas, both in the longitudinal and transverse directions.
This product is available for sale in wax pencil and wax crayon formats.
You can apply it using a small sponge or brush.
As soon as the wax has hardened, its excess parts that stick out must be protected with a knife.
In order to be completely confident in your actions, you must carefully study the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging of the product.
You can find products in a variety of colors on the market, which makes it easy to choose a wax pencil that will perfectly match the color of your laminate flooring.
Note! Solid wax applied to the floor is not able to protect against the negative effects of moisture. And the polished appearance quickly fades away after solid wax has been applied.
Wax pencil (wax crayons)
The wax pencil copes quite well with minor defects that have arisen on the laminate. You can buy such a product at a hardware store. Wax in the form of a bar (chalk) or pencil always has a certain tone. That is why it can be chosen as close as possible to the color of the floor covering.
Depending on the area of the defect, from one to several colors may be needed.
Restoration occurs as follows:
- Degrease and clean the surface.
- Dry it well.
- Chalk or pencil should only be used to match the floor.
- Use wax in such a hard state to paint over the damage. If the scratch or chip is deep enough, you will have to apply several layers.
- When using a multi-layer application method, it is necessary to wait each time for the previous layer of wax to dry.
Using soft wax pencils and crayons, you can make various damage to the laminate almost invisible.
When processing is completed, it is imperative to level the surface. To do this, carefully remove the excess wax with a knife - this is done only if the recess was filled with it. If the wax was applied to rubbed areas, then it will be enough to walk over the surface with a soft cloth.
After application, it is necessary to polish the area to be repaired with a dry cloth.
Preparatory work
When purchasing a product for protecting the joints of laminate flooring, you should carefully study the instructions for use printed on the packaging.
The fact is that when using wax from different manufacturers, there may be some nuances. However, there are general rules for working with this material:
- It is necessary to use wax before installing the lamellas;
- the product is applied to all surfaces that do not have a protective coating, that is, to the ends, as well as grooves and protrusions cut during installation;
- After application, you need to give the wax time to absorb, after which, carefully remove the excess with a dry, well-absorbing cloth.
When working with liquid wax, keep in mind that the vapors of this substance are poisonous. But they only stand out until the wax dries. Therefore, it is necessary to work with it in a respirator and with open windows.
Rags used for polishing should be stored in a bucket of water. This will eliminate the risk of possible fire of the material impregnated with the wax composition. Wax for treating locks is produced packaged in tubes or jars. According to reviews, it is easier to work with material in tubes.
READ MORE: Do-it-yourself laying laminate flooring on a concrete floor with a backing for beginners
Before you begin processing the laminate after installation, you should carry out a number of preparatory measures, including purchasing the necessary material for the work. The latter include:
- A piece of fabric that should not be stiff.
- A spatula with a rubber base.
- A respirator for work that can protect the entire face from possible contact with special products that you will have to work with.
- Soft sponge.
- Gloves that protect hands.
Regardless of the cost of the laminate and which manufacturer, you will still have to face a problem - very vulnerable locking joints. They require careful handling not only during the assembly of the subfloor, but also after final installation.
The greatest density is achieved if they are treated with special wax during the installation process. They will fit tightly to each other, which will additionally protect the seams between the slats. There are laminate models that are already waxed. At the same time, you should pay attention to the fact that careless sellers often try to hide existing shortcomings and damage to the slats in this way.
After laying the laminate flooring on the subfloor, you should thoroughly vacuum it to get rid of possible debris and even dust. In the future, all this can easily get into the seams of the laminate, creating a threat of destruction during operation and the appearance of extraneous sounds and crunching.
A large number of products available in a hardware store can be used for the job. You should pay special attention to their choice, looking at the colors and method of application. It would be a good idea to consult first so as not to waste money.
Proper waxing of joints (seams) and locks from moisture
The use of wax allows you to increase the service life of the coating. Moreover, this must be done not only when the need arises and chips, cracks and scuffs appear on the floor. But also when the process of laying the laminate takes place.
Proper care can extend the life of the floor covering.
In this case, you need to purchase paste wax. It is sold in tubes with a tip. Next, you must adhere to the following steps during the installation process:
- The first board is laid.
- On the end of the second laminate board, namely in the lock area, wax paste is applied from a tube along the entire line.
- The board is installed in place, locking the lock with the first laminate plate.
- The rest of the floor assembly continues in the same sequence.
- When the boards are adjacent to each other and the lock is latched, a layer of paste wax will certainly protrude out. It must be carefully washed with a cloth or removed with a rubber spatula. These are the excesses that are absolutely unnecessary.
- With such manipulation, a protective layer of paste-like substance is formed inside at the joints.
It is this treatment that helps protect against moisture penetration into the floor joints. Therefore, if water is spilled on the surface, it will not cause swelling and deformation of the lamellas.
The advantage of using these products is the protection of laminate flooring from moisture.
Note! If you do not want to wipe off wax residue from the surface of the laminate, then take care of protection with masking tape. They need to paste over the edges of the laminate to the end, that is, to the place where the lock begins. In this case, the wax will not get on the outer surface of the board.
Preventative protection of laminate flooring from damage
When you have chosen a laminate to lay on the floor, you need to take care of its safety. Only in this case will you be able to enjoy excellent quality flooring for a long period of time.
Its operating time can increase many times, which will allow you to save good amounts on a complete replacement of the floor covering.
The methods of protection should be as follows:
- When laying, use wax paste on locks.
- If a gap is formed during installation, it must be filled with liquid wax and wiped with a rag.
- In order for the surface to repel moisture, it is treated with liquid products and then polished.
Grouting of abrasions, seams, cracks and chips is carried out as necessary.
The most important thing is to choose the right product and use it correctly.
Important! Treatment of the entire floor surface should be done no more than once a quarter.
Removing wax from laminate flooring
Sometimes working with wax leaves marks behind. In this case, not very aesthetic sticky spots, drops or streaks form on the surface. Even though they are quite sticky, they can be easily removed if you know how to do it correctly.
Important! The sooner you pay attention to the wax stain that appears, the easier it will be to get rid of it. It is advisable to do this before it hardens.
If the stain is liquid, simply wipe it off with a soft cloth.
It is easy to remove drops that have not yet hardened - use a soft rag or napkin.
But, if it has already hardened, then do not despair. To do this, you need to take a fabric that is quite hygroscopic, that is, it intensively absorbs all the moisture. Place it on top of drips or wax stains.
Turn on the iron, heating it to medium. And then move over the fabric with short intermittent movements. In this case, the wax melts under the influence of temperature. And it immediately begins to be absorbed into matter.
After you have ironed 2-3 times, you need to lift the fabric and make sure that there is no more wax on the surface.
Avoid cleaning products that contain abrasives - fine abrasive particles will leave small scratches and rough spots.
If traces still remain, then it is necessary to change the fabric and repeat the manipulation again until the wax completely disappears from the laminate.
Use of wax compounds
Every master will say that the most “dangerous” places that are subject to changes during operation are the locking joints or, more simply, the joints between the slats. Moisture and other laminate irritants easily get into these places. They can enter not only from the outside, but also from the side of the concrete floor in the form of condensation.
Liquid wax can solve this problem. It is only worth paying attention to the fact that the application should be made only on the interlocking joints themselves, and not on the laminate itself. There are certain tasks that a wax composition can handle:
- No squeaks during operation when walking.
- The strength of the locking joints increases and helps reduce the level of deformation under external loads. This may be the location of the furniture on the slats themselves, its movement, etc.
- The wax composition will help greatly during installation. Laying laminate flooring can be done faster and with better quality.
The easiest way is to purchase a wax composition and process the lamellas yourself. The finished version of the laminate will cost much more, which will not be very good for a budget version. At the same time, it is best to carefully inspect the material itself before purchasing.
It is worth noting that under no circumstances should the laminate itself be treated with wax, as this will only damage the protective layer of the floor covering. The manufacturers themselves also do not do this for the stated reason.
You should work with wax compositions carefully and there are certain rules for this. All of them are usually prescribed on the packaging of the product. Each composition requires special conditions of use.
To apply liquid or paste wax, use a regular brush. The castle is completely covered except for the presence of certain areas with protective elements. In this case, it is best to complete all work before installation.
Popular brands of laminate wax
Wax can be found in a variety of forms in construction or specialty stores. Consumers are offered the most popular brands that produce a variety of types of waxes, such as:
- Rico;
- Edding;
- KimTec;
- PNZ;
- Borma Wachs;
- Watco;
- and many others.
By following simple rules, you can avoid even minor repairs and enjoy high-quality and durable flooring for a long time.
For example, wax for Leroy Merlin laminate flooring can be bought directly in the store along with the laminate. In this case, you can ideally choose a product that will match the color scheme of the floor covering. It is advisable to take care of floor treatment products in advance. Especially when it comes to repairing chips. This way you can choose the perfect shade and not have to worry about buying extra products later.
How to reduce the risk of scratches
To reduce the need to use wax crayons, you should try to handle laminate floors carefully. Here are a few rules to help avoid scratches:
- chairs, armchairs and other pieces of furniture that are often moved on the floor are recommended to be equipped with soft pads; they need to be glued to the legs;
- if you need to move furniture, then you need to place any thick fabric under the legs;
- Those who like to “ride” on a computer chair should buy a special mat;
- you need to clean regularly, since sand brought from the street on shoes and pets’ paws can scratch the coating;
- You should avoid walking on laminate flooring in high-heeled shoes; it is better to purchase soft slippers.
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It is important not to forget that the wax pencil must be used strictly for its intended purpose, that is, to cover the locks of the slats or to repair damage to the surface. You can purchase wax at any hardware store that sells floor coverings.
