flooding from washing machines

[chef]

Am about to fit new laminate floor in the laundry area.  A friend had to rip her's [laminate] out when the machine flooded while she was away.  So would it be best to glue the strips with silicone mastic & seal the edges [where wall & floor meet] with the same? Also can you still get a gadget called "Waterstop" which will deliver only a certain amount to the machine?

[CleverClogs]

Sorry, never heard of a waterstop, but the laminate in my kitchen bowed and buckled when my washing machine flooded. Unfortunately theres nothing you can do about that after a flood with this type of floor as the water seeps through the gaps and sits underneath, which is how it gets so damaged. But instead of putting more laminate down I decided to put down ''Tile LOC Silver Blue Slate flooring'' B&Q link: http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/product/product.jsp?CATID=8000038&entryFlag=false&PRODID=8070505&paintCatId=

Sorry it a big link. It feels and looks like real slate floors, and was easier to fit than laminate. And hopefully will withstand water ingress and damage if I'm ever that unlucky again, at least it should because of the materials it is made of.....

Good luck.

[samhuzz]

not a good idea to put laminate down where there is the possibility of flooding etc. I had the same problem as your friend when our washer flooded our kitchen. the washer was only a year old. it ruined all of the flooring. Why not try the vinyl look-alike instead? Thats what i have at present, its cheaper and looks a lot like the real thing.