If your laminate is damaged, it’s time for repairs or replacement. This guide will show you everything you need to know about laminate floor repair costs.
How to Fix Scratches on Laminate Flooring in 4 Simple Steps
Make your floors as good as new
Get quotes from flooring contractors near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from flooring contractors near you
No obligation · 100% free
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
COMPLETION TIME
30 minutes
COST
Up to $25
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Plastic putty knife
- Broom
- Mop
- Vacuum
SUPPLIES
- Cloth
- Scratch remover
- Touch-up pencils, markers, or crayons
You love your laminate flooring, but you could live without those scratch marks and scrapes. They’re likely from people tracking in small pebbles on their shoes, or maybe you rearranged furniture without felt protector pads (oops!). Fixing minor imperfections can be an easy DIY job, similar to how to repair hardwood floors, so put aside a half-hour this weekend to learn how to fix scratches on laminate flooring, and then take on the scratches with confidence.
Prepping to Fix Scratches on Laminate Flooring
The first thing you need to do when figuring out how to fix scratches on laminate flooring is to assess how bad the damage is. Is it a light, superficial scratch? Or is it deeper? For light scratches, you can use pencils, markers, or crayons. For deeper scratches, you’ll need putty or wax.
Once you’ve decided on the type of product you need, you have to figure out the color of your flooring. This is easy if you wrote down the manufacturer and model information. If not, you might have a sample piece to take to the store. Otherwise, you can take a photo of the flooring and do your best. In some cases, you won’t need to know the shade of your flooring. For example, universal kits come with products in a wide range of hues. And if you opt for a wax kit, you’ll need to mix colors to get the right match for your flooring.
Angi Tip
Regularly cleaning your flooring can go a long way in not only making it shine but also making it last. Dirt and debris can scratch your floor and create more problems. Clean your floors with the products and equipment recommended by the manufacturer.
Clean the Floor
Clean the floor well with a broom, mop, or vacuum. Then, use a cloth to wipe down the affected area one more time to get rid of any trace of dirt or dust.
Apply the Scratch Removal Product
After the floor is clean and all traces of dust and dirt have been removed, it’s time to repair the scratches using one or more of the following methods. Depending on the depth and severity of the scratch, you may only need to touch it up with a marker or touch-up pencil. You may need floor putty, burn-in sticks, or wax for deeper scratches.
Luckily, fixing scratches on laminate flooring is easier and faster than the cost to refinish hardwood floors, which is an advantage of choosing laminate.
Touch-up pencils, markers, and crayons ($5–$10): These products work best for temporarily fixing light, superficial scratches and scuff marks. Color in the scratch with light strokes until the scratch is gone. Make sure you don’t overdo it because the affected area gets darker with every layer.
Burn-in sticks ($20–$25): Burn-in sticks are hard resins. Heat up the stick with an electric knife, and fill the scratch with the melted resin (be careful when handling the knife since it’s extremely hot). Remove any excess with a plastic card. Let it dry completely. Often, fixing the scratch with burn-in sticks is highly effective, and you won’t be able to tell there was any damage at all.
Floor putty ($5–$10): The putty is good for fixing deep scratches. Use a putty knife at a 45-degree angle and work it in from all sides until you fill the groove to the top. Then, use the edge of the knife and scrape it to remove any excess. Let the floor dry for a full day. This is a permanent repair.
Wax ($15–$40): Wax scratch removal products are sold in all-in-one kits. Heat the wax with the heating pen, and use the applicator to fill in the scratch. Wait 5 to 7 seconds for the wax to cool, and remove any excess with a planer.
Buff the Scratch and Wipe Clean
Use a cloth to buff the scratch, and wipe it down with a soft cloth. If necessary, use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. If you sand the floor, wipe with a damp cloth and let it dry. Be careful though. Unlike hardwood floors that can be refinished multiple times, laminate flooring only has a thin image layer, so sanding too much can remove the wood look.
Apply Varnish
Open your windows for good ventilation before completing this step. If your kit comes with varnish, apply it with a brush. Then, sand the floor again.
DIY Laminate Flooring Scratch Repair vs. Hiring a Pro
If you have the time and basic DIY skills, you can fix most light scratches for $5 to $40. If you prefer to hand the job over to a pro, hire a local flooring repair pro who will charge around $100 to $300 to fix gouges. It’ll cost $300 or more to replace planks. Although this can be costly, it’s easier on the wallet than the cost of fixing laminate flooring that’s been damaged by water.
Mizuki Hisaka contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flooring services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.4★ avg. • 41 total reviews
- Sarah E.
Joseph did a great job with the staircase and trim. Timely and efficient, clear communication about the work, very fair pricing. For the stairs in particular, done very skillfully in an old house (1893) in a tight spiral, and very creative with how to do the handrail. Did a nice job with...
Vouis Trim Carpentry L.L.C. - Jena P.
This company does it right. Firstly, I want to say that Landan was a joy to work with. He was so kind, transparent, and had everything under control. His entire team showed up ready to work and they were all very respectful of the fact that we were in an office space. A little backstory – we...
Krumlauf Floors - Gina M.
Finished Basements Plus was wonderful from beginning to end! First, they came out quickly for an estimate. I had 4 estimates and theirs was by far the best. (2 of the estimates were more than $20K higher than for the exact same work). Beyond their fair pricing, the work was excellent. They...
Finished Basements Plus Inc. - Jeanann S.
Very professional, knowledgeable and helpful! Completed the install on time and as expected.
Ward's Services - Adam E.
Cole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLC - Grace G.
Excellent, Prompt, Courteous Service!!! They were super friendly and quite personable. I felt very comfortable with the gentlemen that did the installation. They installed it exactly where I asked them to and they did an excellent job!! I loved their service so much.
Tether House - David E.
Window Depot did an amazing job installing the windows in my basement! The process from start to finish was by far more than what I expected. I would highly recommend Window Depot if you want professionalism from the the consultation to the installation. Dont settle for mediocre when you can...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Tom B.
AFS was excellent from start to finish. Jess, the sales associate, was fantastic...very knowledgeable and very professional. The installation crew was excellent. I couldn't be more pleased with the process. Best of all, my new floor looks fantastic!
America's Floor Source - Bob T.
We were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTile - Jake H.
Did an amazing job transforming my yard. Also installed sod in places, would recommend to everyone.
Cardinal Landscaping & Construction LLC
The homeowners guide to flooring services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Most people wrap floor removal into a larger project, but the itemized cost to remove laminate flooring depends on the size and state of the floor.
Did you find a problem with your laminate flooring? Read this guide to learn about common laminate flooring issues and how to fix them.
•Unsure who to hire to repair laminate floors? See which pros to call, who can repair laminate floors, and how to get it done.
It’s wallet-friendly and beautiful, but how long does laminate flooring last? This guide covers the life span of laminate flooring and how to make it last longer.
Your laminate flooring is durable, but it’s still vulnerable to damage from water, scratches, and the wrong products. A vacuum cleaner and microfiber mop should be in your cleaning arsenal. Find out the best way to clean your laminate floors here.