The Pergo Laminate Flooring I Bought at Sam's Club Just Got Flooded: Is It Ruined?

Soak Up Water Quickly

• When your home floods and your laminate floor gets wet, quick drying is the key to protecting it from further damage. If the flood happened very recently, soak up the excess water with towels or a vacuum designed for removing water. If you do not have a wet vacuum, use buckets to scoop up the water and dispose of it. Direct high-powered fans toward the wet floor to dry it more quickly.

Use a Dehumidifier

• A dehumidifier can quickly dry out moisture from the floor and the surrounding environment. Buy a dehumidifier that is designed for removing water from flooded buildings. A dehumidifier's capacity is measured by how many pints of water it removes in 24 hours. For a flooded 500-square-foot room, use a 16-pint capacity dehumidifier. For a 1,000-square-foot area, use a dehumidifier with a 23-pint capacity.

Let the Floor Dry

• When a flood occurs, water can seep beneath the cracks and crevices in your laminate floor. The water soaks the underside of the flooring, as well as the padding beneath it. To reduce the damage this may cause, pull up the laminate flooring and padding as soon as possible. If you do not do this, mold may develop on the padding, and the floor will most likely sustain irreparable damage. After you pull up the flooring, remove any water that seeped under the padding with a wet vacuum or dehumidifier.

Warping

• If water covers your laminate flooring for too long, its fiber core absorbs the water. This absorption makes the floor swell and warp. Check the corners and edges of each floor plank for warping. If you see any, it is most likely necessary to remove and discard the flooring. It is usually impossible to repair this type of damage. If you have renter's or homeowner's insurance, ask the agent if the cost of replacing the floor is covered by the policy. Pergo's warranty does not cover water damage.