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Common problems with laminate flooring include surface-level scratches, dents, warping, and separating seams. Scratches can be caused by dragging heavy items like furniture or from not using a mat under rolling office chairs. Dents can occur from regular wear and tear or from dropping heavy objects on the floor. Most of these issues can be prevented with regular cleaning and moisture control, and many are fairly easy to fix for a beginner DIYer.

Whether you install flooring before or after kitchen cabinets depends primarily on the type of flooring you are using. For materials like hardwood, tile, and sheet flooring, the best practice is to install the flooring first. This ensures the cabinets are installed at the correct height and on a stable surface. However, you should not install cabinets on top of floating floors, such as laminate or luxury vinyl plank (LVP). These types of flooring need room to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Placing heavy cabinets on top can restrict this movement, potentially causing the floor to buckle and making the cabinets unstable. For floating floors, install the cabinets first and then lay the flooring up to them. Other reasons to consider installing cabinets before the flooring include saving money on materials (since you won't need flooring under the cabinets) and avoiding potential damage to your new floor during cabinet installation. Additionally, installing cabinets directly on the subfloor might prevent voiding your flooring's warranty.

You typically aren’t in any immediate danger if your floors are sagging, but that doesn’t mean you should leave them unattended. Sagging is likely a sign of underlying problems with the structure of your home, such as uneven subflooring or rotting joists. Have your floors inspected by a local carpenter as soon as possible to help you determine the type of repairs needed.

It depends on what’s important to you. For instance, if you’re looking for the lowest-priced carpet material, consider polyester. Alternatively, you could go with olefin (also known as polypropylene), another synthetic carpet material that costs about the same as polyester. Otherwise, if durability is the priority, nylon or wool would be a better choice. 

Not sure what you need? A local carpet installer can explain the difference between various carpet types and help you decide what’s best for your home.