Bubbles in your laminate counter – On the House
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Bubbles in your laminate counter

By on January 24, 2014
hot iron to fix bubbling laminate

“The Lawrence Welk Show” premiered in 1955, and for three decades bubbles were a good thing. But if you’ve got a bubble in a plastic laminate countertop, it’s far from good.

This material is used on the majority of countertops in the world and usually provides years of service without complaint. In the kitchen, water is the enemy and countertops are no exception. Generally they are watertight and not at risk. However, occasionally the plastic laminate does separate from the substrate (the plywood or particleboard underneath) and it shows up as a “bubble” on the surface or as a loose corner that lifts when snagged. The laminate and substrate are glued together with strong contact cement. Often when it loosens, heat and pressure can reactivate its holding power. Use a hot iron with a towel (to protect the surface), and then add weight (like books) for pressure until things cool down. After, it should look as good as new — without a drop of glue.

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