We’ve all unknowingly stepped in puddles of water in our socks after a shower or after doing the washing up, so there’s no denying that the bathroom and kitchen are pretty wet and humid places. Because of this, using a waterproof flooring of some kind is essential.

Until fairly recently, your choice was limited to choosing between lino or vinyl flooring or tiles but in recent years, waterproof laminate flooring has changed kitchen and bathroom flooring for good.

Do you need underlayment for waterproof laminate flooring?

It’s not necessary to put down an underlayment with your waterproof floors however it can offer some good benefits.

An underlayment allows your flooring to “float”, which means it can shift and move slightly as you walk on it. Doing this means your floor stays flat and won’t put pressure on the joints which can cause buckling and breakage in extreme circumstances. An underlayment also helps to even out your subfloor if it’s a little uneven (but any differences more than a few millimetres needs to be rectified before you put down the floor).

If your flooring is concrete or plain wooden panels though, you will need a apour sheet to help prevent any moisture from seeping up underneath your new flooring.

How do you install waterproof laminate flooring?

Don’t make the mistake of using ordinary laminate flooring for your kitchen or bathroom. This flooring is not suitable to be in contact with very humid environments and can cause them to swell and warp over time.

Despite being considered ‘waterproof’, laminate flooring is not designed to be submerged under water, only to resist water at the top so it’s important for you to care for your flooring properly. Mop up any spills as soon as they happen and don’t let any water sit on the floor for any length of time!

Step 1: Prep the floor

It’s important that your existing floor is 100% dry before you lay your new flooring. If your floor is newly laid concrete or screed, it must be allowed to cure and dry for 60 days.

Prepare the existing floor well. Ensure it’s dry, solid, smooth and flat and any leftover carpet, carpet glue and tape, and any other fixings should be removed. Make sure you also fill in any hollows or voids in the floor and sand down any bumps as these can prevent the floor joints from connecting properly, compromising its waterproof quality.

You will also need to let your new flooring acclimate to the room it’s being installed in, allow the box of flooring to rest, open, in the room for around 48 hours before installing. This will help to prevent warping and buckling later on.

Step 2: How to lay laminate tile

Start laying the flooring from the left-side of the room to the right side. Lay the first board or tile in the left-hand corner 6mm away from each wall. Use 6mm spacers to ensure the gap is the right size. Make sure you stick to this 6mm gap as it helps the floor shift as needed without buckling.

Lift the end of the first board and, with both boards at an angle; slot the next board in place. Press the joint down flat on the floor to ensure a proper waterproof joint is made.

Continue until you reach the right-hand wall. If the last tile in the row needs to be cut, turn it over and mark where it needs to be cut on the back. Don’t forget to allow for the 6mm gap!

Step 3: Continue laying the floor

If the offcut from the first row is 300mm or longer, you can start the second row with the same piece but if not, start with a new board.

Press the new board at an angle against the floorboard in the first row, push it forwards and fold down at the same time. For the second board of this row, place the short side at an angle against the first board and fold down ensuring that the board is positioned in the interlocking strip of the floorboard in the previous row.

Lift the board you are holding as well as the previous board from this row and push to slide the current board against the row in front. It will then align with the previous plank. The current and previous plank can then be folded down to the floor.

Continue this process all the way across the floor and repeat until the entire room has been covered, making sure you keep the 6mm spacers in place. Once snapped together, your floor will provide a sealed joint that will prevent any water penetrating the surface and getting below, causing rot to the softer underside.

Whether you’re laying boards or looking for how to lay laminate tile squares, the process is the same.

Step 4: Seal the edges

When the floor is all laid it is time to cover the 6mm expansion joint you have left around the perimeter of the floor. You will need to make sure this joint is also sealed to help prevent water seepage. Use a sealant such as a silicone-based kitchen or bathroom sealer to do this.

First, seal the edge of the flooring up to the wall. Once you’ve done this, fix the edging into place - this can be done using very small tack nails but it may be better to use a construction adhesive. Quadrant trim is the most common edging method and this is easily applied using a mitre saw. With the quadrant trim fixed in place you will now have to seal the joint between the bottom of the strip and the floor as well as the top of the strip and the wall. Again, use a suitable silicone based sealer and then allow it to dry for the specified time indicated on the packaging.

Check the floor to make sure you haven’t dropped any /collections/laminate-underlay-flooring-underlays"sealant anywhere, give the floor a wipe down, and then step back and admire your work!

If you’re looking to lay a new floor in your kitchen or bathroom, you can easily do it yourself with Leader floors’ range of waterproof laminate tiles and other flooring options.