3 Steps To Repairing Worn Laminate Countertops
Replacing your kitchen counters is not a cheap process. Depending on the amount of counter space available, you may need to spend several thousand dollars or more to complete the job. If your kitchen includes unusual corners or odd sizes, cutting custom pieces can drive the cost even higher. Fortunately, you can often repair damage to your counter instead of replacing the entire surface.
For laminate countertops, you can likely repair most damage limited to the surface itself. Keep reading to discover the steps you'll need to take to restore your kitchen's appearance without emptying your wallet on an expensive remodel.
1. Assess the Damage
Begin by examining your countertops to determine the extent of the damage. Do you want to fix a particularly obvious scratch or gouge, or are you looking to refinish an older countertop with many blemishes? If you've owned your countertops for years, then you may have noticeable sections of peeling or bubbling.
Remember that your laminate countertop includes a substrate (usually particleboard) with laminated sheets over the top and sides. When assessing damage, determine if your blemishes are limited to the laminate itself or if they have penetrated the substrate. The best option for you will vary based on the extent of the damage.
2. Consider Your Options
If you have scratches or cuts limited to the laminate surface, you can usually repair them using laminate repair pens. These pens come in various shades and colors to match many surface styles, and you can typically layer them to achieve darker or lighter colors. For deeper cuts, you can remove and replace sections of the laminate sheeting as needed.
Even peeling and bubbling do not necessarily mean the end of your countertop. If the surface is delaminating, you can use special adhesives (usually known as laminate contact cement) to press it back into place. This approach often works well when the laminate surface is still in good shape and there's a solid substrate below it.
3. Call for Help When Needed
You can conduct minor repairs on laminate countertops yourself, but calling a professional can still be a good idea when you want to make your kitchen shine. As with any restoration project, many of these techniques will produce better results with skill and experience. A restoration expert can evaluate your countertops and recommend the best option to make your kitchen look like new again.
For more information, contact a laminate countertop repair service in your area.