Can damaged sections of laminate and baseboards be replaced individually without disturbing the surrounding flooring and trim?
Asked by Cristóbal Carrasco 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 1, 2024
I was wondering, do you know if it’s possible to just replace a 40 square foot section of laminate, or do you have to take out all 200 square feet in the room up to the walls? Also, what about the damaged corner of the baseboards – can you just replace those two adjacent ones, or do you need to remove the other baseboards as well? Thanks for your help on this!
You’ll likely need to disassemble the floor to fix that. And don’t forget to add quarter round at the baseboards.
If you already have the flooring, you should be able to replace the damaged sections. It seems like there is water damage, so cut out the damaged pieces and try to connect the new pieces where you can. For the last piece, you may need to adjust the tongues and grooves and glue it in place. You can also remove and replace the baseboard, but keep in mind that mdf doesn’t react well to water damage.
Oh boy… Alright, thanks for your help!
You might have to replace a lot, if not all, of that flooring. It’s best not to start in the middle. But you could just replace the water damaged baseboards, although you’ll likely need to remove most of them to replace the flooring. You probably won’t need 1/4 round since the baseboard seems to be covering your expansion/contraction gap.
Do you happen to have extra from the same batch? Usually, you can’t just purchase more due to variations in dye lots, etc.
I actually have some extra stored in the shed.
Replacing a 40 sq ft section of laminate is possible if you have matching planks for a seamless finish. However, removing only the damaged pieces can be tricky, so take your time and proceed with caution. When it comes to the baseboards, you should be able to replace the damaged corners without replacing all the baseboards. Just ensure that the new baseboards match the existing ones in material, height, and finish. Best of luck with your repairs!
I believe once you begin, you’ll see that it involves redoing everything. It seems that initially, the baseboards weren’t placed on top of the flooring to cover the expansion gap. The boards seem to have expanded, causing them to buckle and subsequently damage the baseboard (referred to as skirting board in the UK).
Make sure to leave at least 10mm for expansion between the flooring and the walls or skirting if you prefer not to remove them. Then, you can install a beading of your choice to hide the gap.
Without knowing the construction of the original floor, you might also need to add a new vapour underlay. So, I agree that this might turn out to be a more extensive project than anticipated.
I’ve taken a closer look at the pictures and realized that your baseboards are the low-quality vinyl-covered MDF commonly used with laminate flooring here in Bulgaria. You’re better off using wood and cutting proper mitres instead of those unpleasant plastic joints.