‘Steaming’ this laminate back into position?

[Aerate]

My engineered floor has delaminated in a single spot. Removing and replacing is out of the question as it has electric (I know ?) underfloor heating. Obviously I can t clamp. I was considering steaming the veneer to give it more pliability and then re gluing.

To steam the wood, I was going to make it wetter than damp, but not soaking and warming it with a heat gun. Then I was going to insert glue as far as possible and then apply as much weight as I can (more than the gym weight in the photo). Is my steaming technique going to be any good? What sort of glue do I need? (bearing in mind that the substrate will be damp).

Edited by Aerate on Wednesday 4th November 09:36

[p4cks]

There's no photo

[Aerate]

p4cks said:

There's no photo

Quite right - fixed

[Huzzah]

I'm not expert but how about leaving it dry whilst the weight is there, then glue it once dry?

[Sford]

Not sure on glue but a damp sponge on top would probably help the moisture get into it without flooding it. You might find it expands though when damp and then won't fit in the hole.

[Russet Grange]

I'd just buy the best wood glue and whck a big old weight on it for a couple of days.

Titebond seems to be the glue of choice for professionals.

[W12GT]

I d opt for a good heat resistant contact adhesive given you ve got the electric UFH mats directly below it.

Edited to add - I’d also turn the UFH off for 24hrs before and 24hrs after glueing it too.

[CypSIdders]

How much force does it take to push the offending piece back into place?
If you can push it back with your fingers then gluing it should work.
Wood glue should work, expoxy will also do the job!

[W12GT]

Also - that floor looks very dry and like it should have been resealed/oiled. If you know the manufacturer I’d suggest asking their opinion.

[Purosangue]

keep dry

I wouldnt use a wood glue as these really act under pressure ( clamping )

A strong epoxy two part glue spread under the laminate , then a very heavy 100kg object placed over the joint leave 24 hrs

then re seal your entire floor

[OutInTheShed]

Steam does make some woods, including oak, very flexible.

You could try with a hot air gun. But it's easy to scorch the wood.

If you can get the wood to bend back into place, then any decent glue will do, in the old days, you'd use something like a flat iron to hold the wood down while the glue set.

[JoshSm]

Purosangue said:

keep dry

I wouldnt use a wood glue as these really act under pressure ( clamping )

A strong epoxy two part glue spread under the laminate , then a very heavy 100kg object placed over the joint leave 24 hrs

then re seal your entire floor

Getting epoxy in would be a pain. A D3 wood glue would work fine.

I'd get a large bore syringe and inject towards the back edge, then just push down the top to spread it.

In theory the gap should be very tight and need little glue (and want something very fluid) as you're trying to rebond two mating faces, and if they aren't pushed tight it'll be wrong anyway.

Weight (and steaming) really depends on how flexible that top laminate is.

Also remember to allow for glue leakage - I'd mask all the top faces around where you're working.

[JoshSm]

Also, re. steaming, why not just use a steam iron on it through a tea towel? Flat, allows for applying pressure, lots of direct steam without everything getting wet.

If you don't have one buy one, they're cheap.

[Beetnik]

Purosangue said:

keep dry

I wouldnt use a wood glue as these really act under pressure ( clamping )

A strong epoxy two part glue spread under the laminate , then a very heavy 100kg object placed over the joint leave 24 hrs

then re seal your entire floor

I'm looking forward to the next thread started by the OP "How do I remove a 100Kg object I've accidentally glued to my laminate floor"

[Aerate]

Beetnik said:

I'm looking forward to the next thread started by the OP "How do I remove a 100Kg object I've accidentally glued to my laminate floor"

Erm… now you come to mention it…

😉

[Simpo Two]

Luckily the room is full of weights. So whatever glue you use, I'd cut a square of plywood the width of the plank, to ensure all the weight is applied where it's needed, force glue into gap with a thin spatula, then pile weights on top and leave as required.

What's the surface under the wood?

[Purosangue]

Beetnik said:

Purosangue said:

keep dry

I wouldnt use a wood glue as these really act under pressure ( clamping )

A strong epoxy two part glue spread under the laminate , then a very heavy 100kg object placed over the joint leave 24 hrs

then re seal your entire floor

I'm looking forward to the next thread started by the OP "How do I remove a 100Kg object I've accidentally glued to my laminate floor"

simple

[Chumley.mouse]

You don’t need a heavy weight, an acro prop will do. Just protect the ceiling from marking and something to spread the force out to stop it damaging the plasterboard.

[Aerate]

Chumley.mouse said:

You don t need a heavy weight, an acro prop will do. Just protect the ceiling from marking and something to spread the force out to stop it damaging the plasterboard.

This is a great idea. Sadly the room has a vaulted ceiling. With Electric UFH the vaulted ceiling was a terrible idea!

[paulwirral]

Gorilla glue needs the surfaces to be damp to activate it properly , it’s probably your safest bet , but make sure it’s well weighted as it does expand