Sealing the edges on laminate in bathroom

Quick question. Maybe I'm missing something or over-thinking this, but here's the scenario:

I'm doing a laminate floor (Pergo) and am taking it into a small 1/2 bathroom along the hallway for continuation. I've put wall-to-wall vapor barrier underlayment down, and I'm also putting glue on all of the tongue-and-groove seams in order to ensure if a spill (or mopping) get to the floor, it won't get into the Pergo and warp/ruin the laminate. But as with all laminate, I'm putting it roughly a quarter-inch from the walls and the underlayment just goes right to the edge of the wall and not up the sides.

So my question is: How do I keep the sub-floor from getting wet if a spill is near the edging/walls. It will just flow right under the trim molding and in the 1/4" space next to the laminate, then go between the drywall and underayment right onto the subfloor every time someone mops in a sloppy way that piles water up around the edges?

Am I overthinking that? Or is there actually some type of filler expandable caulking that I can put between the laminate and the wall to keep the water from getting down in the cracks?

Thanks

 

Don't know if this is widespread or not, but Bruce brand laminate approved for wet locations requires that the underlayment pad be run up the wall a bit, and then the gap next to the flooring is to be completely filled with caulk. When it's dry, the underlayment is trimmed flush with the top of the flooring.

 

Should not be using a laminate in a bathroom or running it through an opening without a transition strip at the doorway set to the door stop molding.

 

You don't mop a laminate floor, most moisture you might want to use would be one of those swiffer type moist towel thingy's.

Most laminates are not approved for wet locations and there really is no way to prevent damage from a spill which will most likely happen at the toilet. Truth is, you will notice issues with the laminate way before damage will be done to the subfloor. Edges will curl and or welling will happen.

 

Thanks CarbideTipped, I talked to a pro when I had an opportunity and he pretty much laid it out exactly as you did with the flush underlayment and caulking is best practice for half-baths that connect to a laminate flooring project. So thanks for the top-notch advice!

 

Here is wording from Bruce Floors Warranty -

What Is Not Covered By This Warranty?
This warranty does not cover damage caused by:
•Improper care and maintenance (see our Care Instructions included in carton).
•Accidents, abuse, or misuse.
•Abnormal wear and tear such as damage caused from spike heel shoes, insufficient
protection from furniture, pebbles, sand and other abrasives.
•Improper workmanship, or installation not in accordance with Bruce’s installation instructions
that are included in the carton.
•Water damage from excessive moisture in a concrete slab, hydrostatic pressure, flooding caused by malfunctions from appliances such as dishwashers, ice makers, refrigerators, sinks, pipes or from natural disasters.
•Planks coming apart at the seams because they have been engaged/ disengaged
more than three (3) times.
•Damage caused by vacuum cleaner beater bars and hard or metal caster wheels.
•When vacuuming, we recommend using the wand attachment on your vacuum.
•If rolling casters are used, we recommend only soft wheels that are wide enough to
support the load.
•Damage caused by pet urine which has not been promptly wiped up and removed




I fail to see how Bruce's own words warning about moisture damage can be overlooked when considering installing in a wet location. And caulking the exterior of the room will not make for a watertight seal. Just ask anyone who has experienced water damage around a window or door they thought was sealed from the elements with caulk. Like anything, if you ask 100 people if you can do something a certain way, you are bound to get at least one that will say you can. It doesn't make it right, particularly when the other 99 say you can't.

So, install laminate in a wet location at your own risk. Order an extra case or two to have on hand should you experience a water issue. At least that way, you can replace any damaged boards with the same flooring.

 

I agree with Z. Just because you seal the edges, what about the seams between each board? What about the edge under the toilet? Just too many places for water to enter the fabric of laminate flooring.

 

Other than not to do this, I think the best advice you got was from Z about buying a lot of extra for matching down the road.