What should I do when water gets under laminate?
Stop the water, pick up what you can see, and get air and dehumidification on the floor right away. The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth (EPA). Water that runs under laminate sits on the subfloor where you cannot see it or wipe it up.
- Shut off the leak at the fixture valve or the main. See where to find your shut-off valve.
- Photograph the floor, the seams and the source before anything is moved.
- Pull baseboards or a row of boards only if your insurer or the restoration crew agrees, so the evidence is kept.
Read the video transcript
Water got under your laminate floor. Here is what to do first. Act fast. The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas within twenty-four to forty-eight hours to prevent mold growth. Can the floor be saved? The LSU AgCenter says laminate flooring that swells or delaminates from flooding should be replaced. The subfloor matters more. The EPA says the subfloor under flooring must also be cleaned and dried. A wood subfloor may swell, buckle, or delaminate, and the flooring may have to come up. What kind of water was it? Clean supply line water is Category 1. Washing machine and dishwasher overflows are Category 2. Sewage and toilet backflow are Category 3. The full guide, with sources, is at 404waterdamage.com.
Can wet laminate flooring be saved?
Usually not once it swells. The LSU AgCenter says engineered wood and laminate flooring that swells or delaminates from flooding should be replaced (LSU AgCenter). Boards that got a quick surface spill and dried flat may be fine, but peaked seams and soft edges mean the core has taken on water.
Why does the subfloor matter more than the boards?
Because the subfloor is what can rot or grow mold. The EPA says the subfloor under carpet or other flooring must also be cleaned and dried (EPA). A wood subfloor may swell, buckle or delaminate, and the flooring may have to come up to dry it or replace it (LSU AgCenter).
Water from a clean supply line is Category 1. Washing machine and dishwasher overflows are Category 2, and sewage, toilet backflow with feces and surface water flowing into a building are Category 3 (Massachusetts DPH).
Do I need a restoration company?
If water spread past one small area, sat for more than a day, or came from a dishwasher, washer or toilet, a crew with moisture meters can tell you how far it went under the floor. They take readings on dry areas of the house as a baseline and keep drying until the wet areas match.
Common questions
Will laminate dry out on its own?
The surface may look dry, but water trapped on the subfloor dries slowly without airflow and dehumidification. Swollen boards do not shrink back.
Is water under laminate covered by insurance?
Sudden leaks are often covered, but slow leaks usually are not. Check your policy and call your insurer before removing the floor.
Can I replace just a few laminate boards?
Sometimes, if you have matching boards and the subfloor is dry. Floating floors often have to be taken apart from a wall to reach the damaged rows.
Related guides
Sources
- LSU AgCenter: safe removal and cleaning of floors after a flood
- EPA: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, Table 1
- EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- Massachusetts DPH: quick reference, water damage response in buildings
Last reviewed November 13, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal, insurance or medical advice.