No clever titles here. This is a topic that causes distress to owners and tenants alike when it needs to be broached. Laminate plank flooring, the snap-together type, CAN NOT be mopped. It is NOT waterproof. If you add water to this type of flooring, the boards will expand where the water penetrates, which is generally around the edges first or at the site of any damage. There is a water resistant coating on the surface of the planks, but the water seeps between the cracks and proceeds to bubble up the boards. This is not normal wear and tear. This is misuse. What this can mean is that a tenant may be required to replace the flooring even though there was absolutely no intentional misuse. Motive plays no role here and the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I hate it when this happens because there is no “bad guy” in this situation. The tenant did not mean to ruin the floor, but the owner should not have to pay for the tenant ruining the floor, inadvertently or otherwise. So let’s do our best to avoid the situation entirely. If you are in any doubt about how to clean your flooring, or any other part of your house for that matter, please call our office at 843-795-4461 and we will be happy to help.
