Why is my laminate floor bubbling?

Laminate flooring is a great alternative to real hardwood flooring for so many reasons – it’s much more resistant to staining and scratching thanks to its durable protective topcoat, it’s much easier to install, and it costs a lot less than the real deal. When installed and cared for correctly, great quality laminate (like those available from our laminate selection), should look as good as the day you got it for years to come.

However, occasionally with poor quality laminate, or poor maintenance or installation, your laminate flooring can develop problems such as bubbling. This is when small parts of the surface of your board begin to peel away from the rest of the board, as if a bubble in your laminate flooring has pushed them upwards. When this has occurred, you may notice laminate floor bubbling at the seams of the planks.

Have you noticed a bubble in your laminate flooring? We’ll talk you through the reasons laminate floor bubbling may begin to appear and how to fix it. Then, we’ll go through some steps on how to avoid your laminate flooring bubbling again.

In this guide:

• What is bubbling?
• Bubbling vs buckling
• What causes laminate to bubble?
• How to fix bubbles in laminate flooring
• How to fix warped laminate flooring
• How to fix excess moisture
• How to prevent bubbles in laminate flooring

What is bubbling?

Bubbling is when parts of your laminate floor start to lift - kind of like little air pockets or soft bumps under the surface. A common term for air pockets that form beneath laminate flooring that you may have heard is "peaking".

You might even notice your laminate floor bulging upwards, which not only looks odd but can feel a bit strange to walk on too. This usually means moisture has crept in somewhere, or the floor wasn’t installed quite right to begin with. Think spills, humid rooms, or even a sneaky leak underneath. Basically, it’s your floor’s way of waving a little red flag and saying, “Hey, something’s not quite right down here!”

Bubbling vs. Buckling

As mentioned, laminate flooring bubbling occurs when moisture or trapped air causes the surface layer of the plank to rise, creating small bubbles. This is often due to water damage or poor installation and is usually easy to fix.

Buckled laminate flooring is a very different matter, as this happens when the planks lift or warp. This could be due to excessive moisture, the planks being fitted too tightly, or changes in the room’s temperature.

A bubble in laminate flooring can be annoying but is fixable. Buckling is more severe, as it will probably require the removal and replacement of the plank.

What causes laminate to bubble?

If you spot bubbling on your laminate, there’s a problem! Bubbling is an indication that your flooring has become compromised, and it needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, bubbling in laminate flooring isn’t always something that can be repaired, especially once the boards are damaged - but the good news is, you can take steps to stop it from getting worse.

The most likely reason behind laminate floor bubbling is moisture in the boards, possibly from the subfloor, but more likely from above - although you can see if your subfloor needs replacing with our guide.

Excessive moisture

One of the most common culprits behind bubbles in laminate flooring is moisture. Whether it’s from a spilled drink, a damp mop, high humidity, or even a sneaky leak underneath, too much moisture can wreak havoc on laminate and furniture if it goes unchecked.

Because laminate isn’t fully waterproof, any water that seeps into the seams and enters the core of the planks will soak into the wood, causing the layers to expand, separate, and warp, leading to that tell-tale bubbling effect. Keeping moisture in check is key to preventing long-term damage.

While we do have some water resistant laminate available in our range, it’s important to remember that no laminate flooring is immune to the punishing effect of excessive moisture!

Humidity

When the air gets warmer, wetter, and more humid—especially in city environments—laminate flooring, like all wood-based floors, naturally expands and contracts to cope with the temperature shifts. Ideally, indoor humidity should be kept between 35% and 65% to protect laminate from excess moisture in the air. If there isn’t sufficient room for the boards to expand, they’ll strain against each other, causing raised edges that can look a lot like bubbling—especially if moisture sneaks into the exposed joints.

Neglecting spills

If spills on laminate flooring are addressed immediately with the right cleaning methods, they shouldn’t cause a problem. However, if you leave them for too long, liquid may find a weak point in the boards and damage either the wooden core or the top printed layer, which can spoil the look of your boards. You can find out more about the structure of laminate boards in our laminate flooring buyer's guide.

Using the wrong cleaning technique

Another issue that may cause your laminate flooring to bubble is cleaning your floor the wrong way or with the wrong products.  

Wet-mopping and steam cleaning are major no-no’s when it comes to cleaning your laminate because they produce too much moisture and can break through the finish to the more vulnerable materials underneath, causing laminate flooring bubbling.

You can learn more about the maintenance laminate flooring needs in our laminate care guide.

Leaks from appliances or plumbing

Slow leaks from dishwashers, fridges, or pipes under the floor can go unnoticed for a long time, giving moisture plenty of time to build up. By the time the floor starts bubbling, the damage might already be done. Regular checks around appliances can help catch leaks early.

Improper installation or manufacturing defects

If the floor wasn’t installed with enough expansion gap around the edges, the planks won’t have room to expand in heat or humidity. This pressure can cause the boards to push against each other and lift, creating a bubbling or tenting effect.

In some cases, bubbling can be caused by the decorative layer lifting due to low-quality adhesive used during manufacturing, especially in cheaper laminate products.

How to fix bubbles in laminate flooring

Got a bubble in your laminate floor? Don’t worry—depending on how bad it is, there are a few ways to fix it.

Minor cases of laminate floor bubbling

If the bubbling is mild and caused by recent moisture - say from a spill or a humid spell -it might shrink back down once the area dries out. Give it a few days and keep the space well-ventilated. You might get lucky and avoid needing any tools at all!

Small bubbles in laminate flooring

For little bubbles that won’t go away, you can try a simple repair trick:

• Place a damp cloth over the bubble, then use a sharp knife to cut a very small slit in it
• Gently rub the bubble to release all the air
• Finally, apply a small amount of wood glue to the slit and place a heavy object over it
• Leave the object there overnight and by the morning, the laminate flooring bubbling should have disappeared

Bigger or stubborn cases of floor bubbling

For larger bubbles, especially where you notice your laminate floor bulging upwards, not settling, feeling unstable, or showing surface cracks, replacing the plank is the most effective solution. It takes a bit more effort, but the result will look good as new.  If you’ve got spare planks from the original installation, even better. Here’s how to go about it:

• Prepare the area by gently removing the skirting boards or scotia along the edge of the floor near the damaged section
• Unclick and lift out the flooring planks until you reach the damaged one
• Remove the damaged plank and inspect the subfloor for any signs of trapped moisture or ongoing leaks
• Install a new plank, ensuring it matches the rest of the floor in colour and type
• Check the locking mechanism on each plank as you reconnect the floor, making sure they click securely into place
• Re-lay the planks, working backwards until the flooring is fully restored
• Reattach the skirting boards or trim around the room (if they were removed)
• Double-check expansion gaps—you should have a gap of 6–10 mm (around 1/2 inch) between the flooring and the wall to allow for natural expansion
• If the expansion gap was too tight, carefully trim the edge of the floor before reinstalling the skirting boards or scotia

Whether you're fixing a small bubble or planning a full plank swap, these steps should help restore your floor and leave it looking good as new.

How to fix warped laminate flooring

While bubbling and warping in laminate flooring can look similar, the causes and the repair approaches are a bit different. Warping usually means planks are bending, lifting, or buckling, often along the edges or in the middle.

Knowing how to fix warped laminate flooring starts with identifying the root cause—whether that’s a hidden leak, high humidity, or not enough expansion gap. Depending on the severity, you might be able to dry and flatten the planks, or you may need to replace the affected boards entirely.

Minor warping

For small areas where the floor has slightly lifted or curved, but the boards aren't severely damaged, you may be able to fix it without replacing anything. Try this step-by-step approach:

• Check for moisture from spills, steam, or high humidity
• Make sure the room has proper ventilation
• If needed, use a dehumidifier to bring humidity to a safe level (ideally 35–65%)
• Use fans or a dehumidifier to thoroughly dry the warped spot
• Avoid walking on the affected area during this time
• Give it a few days and check if the boards settle back into place
• If the board is still slightly raised, gently press it down with something heavy (like books or a weighted board) for 24 hours
• Monitor to see if it stays flat once weight is removed

Severe warping

Just like with stubborn cases of floor bubbling, if a plank is bent, buckled, or permanently warped, the best solution is to replace it. The steps are essentially the same. It's a more hands-on fix, but it will restore both the look and function of your flooring.

Either way, acting early can help prevent further damage and restore your floor to its original, smooth finish.

How to fix excess moisture

If you are dealing with bubbled or buckled laminate floor, there’s a good chance excess moisture is to blame. To stop the problem from getting worse (or coming back again), here’s what you can do:

Step 1: Identify and fix the source of moisture

Before replacing any planks, it’s crucial to deal with the root cause of the moisture. Otherwise, you’ll be caught in a constant cycle of damage and repair.

Check for common sources of excess moisture:

• Leaks from pipes, dishwashers, washing machines, or fridges
• Spills that haven’t been properly cleaned up
• High humidity in rooms like bathrooms or basements

Fixing these issues first will stop the moisture from spreading further and damaging more of your flooring.

Step 2: Manage indoor humidity

If humidity is the problem (common in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements), try:

• Using a dehumidifier to pull excess moisture from the air
• Improving ventilation by opening windows or installing extractor fans

Keeping indoor humidity between 35–65% is ideal for preventing future floor warping.

Step 3: Check your expansion gaps

Laminate flooring needs room to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. If your planks are too tightly fitted, pressure can build up and cause buckling.

Here’s how to create proper expansion gaps:

1. Carefully remove the skirting board or scotia around the edge of the room.
2. Mark a line 6–10 mm from the wall.
3. Using a circular saw or multitool (with appropriate safety gear), trim along the edge and remove the excess.
4. Reattach the skirting boards once you’re done.

Step 4: Replace damaged planks

Once the moisture issue is fixed, you can replace any bubbled or buckled planks:

• Unlock the laminate flooring up to the damaged board.
• Remove the damaged plank and replace it with a new one.
• Re-lay the flooring back into place and reattach the skirting boards.

We have a helpful guide on how to remove laminate flooring, which will take you through the individual steps for removing and replacing laminate flooring, no matter what type of laminate flooring you have.

How to prevent bubbles in laminate flooring

Taking precautions will help to prevent laminate floor bubbling from happening in the future, and it’ll hopefully also mean you keep a closer eye on your cleaning habits to keep your home in tip-top shape! Here are some ways to prevent bubbling in laminate flooring:

• Never allow standing water on your laminate floor – always clean up spills as soon as they happen.
• Avoid wet mopping and steam cleaning your laminate floor.
• Use dehumidifiers if your home experiences a lot of humidity, especially during very cold and very hot months.
• Ensure that your underlay is the correct type and thickness before installing laminate flooring – you can always consult a Tapi floorologist to help you figure out what’s best for your home.

You might want to consider opting for more heavy-duty or water-resistant laminate flooring for water-prone or high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or hallways. This will give your space extra protection where it’s needed most.

Hopefully, now you have a good overview of the different ways that bubbles in laminate flooring can occur, and your options to resolve the issue. If you need any more help with laminate-related issues, you can come down to your local Tapi store to chat with one of our floorologists and we can help you find the solution you need for your home.

We can also show you the amazing selection of laminates, including top brand Quick-Step, that we’ve got in-store if you’re looking to completely replace any damaged flooring. Alternatively, browse our other laminate troubleshooting guides, which include things like what to do if your laminate floor is bouncy.