Can I Seal My Pergo Floor?
Pergo brand laminated flooring is popular for its durability and beauty. It looks like hardwood, but is made of several layers of melamine resin, aluminum oxide and recycled wood. However, homeowners who buy Pergo tile flooring are warned not to get the floor wet, as this can dull the finish.
Placing wax or a waterproof seal on Pergo flooring is not recommended by the manufacturer. Wood seal products such as stains will also change the color and shine of the Pergo wood tiles.
Expert Advice
Pergo tiles or planks need time to adjust to the regular moisture conditions in the room where they are going to be installed. Pergo recommends to contractors to lay unopened boxes of Pergo flooring horizontally flat inside of the rooms in which they will be installed for 48 to 96 hours before installing. Areas of high humidity need the full 96 hours. After installation, Pergo flooring will expand and contract depending on the room’s humidity. Make sure there is a 1/4-inch expansion area between the floor and the walls to accommodate expansion; otherwise the tiles may buckle.
Problems
Placing a water seal on Pergo flooring will stop the natural expansion and contraction of the tiles or planks. But because Pergo flooring is designed to “breathe” or expand and contract, it may become damaged by warping or buckling. The Pergo website states that floor waxes or harsh detergents will cause a dull film to form on the surface of the tiles or planks, greatly diminishing their overall beauty.
Maintenance
Pergo flooring needs to be cleaned differently from other types of flooring. Never use bleach, soap, wet mop, wet jet or any cleaner with wax as an ingredient. Pergo recommends mixing 1 gallon of water with either 1 cup of vinegar or ½ cup of ammonia. Dip a rag or cloth into the mix, wring out the excess liquid and wipe the floor. Do not rinse. For in-between cleanings, use a dustpan and broom or a dust mop in order to brush up crumbs, dirt, grass blades or other particles. This is enough moisture to keep the floor clean but not enough to cause water damage.
Warnings
Because Pergo flooring can be damaged when it is constantly covered by water, it should not be installed in rooms with floor drains or around a sump pump. These areas are constantly covered with water. If a refrigerator or dishwasher is to be placed over an area of the Pergo floor, that expansion area between the Pergo flooring and the wall needs a sealant such as mildew-resistant silicone or a sealant made by Pergo. This must be done during installation, not afterward.
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Writer Bio
Rena Sherwood is a writer and Peter Gabriel fan who has lived in America and England. She has studied animals most of her life through direct observation and maintaining a personal library about pets. She has earned an associate degree in liberal arts from Delaware County Community College and a bachelor's degree in English from Millersville University.
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