How can I fix the floor if it does get gouged or otherwise injured?

While laminate flooring is very durable, it’s always possible that scratches or small indentations or gouges can occur. If it does happen, don’t fret. You can repair most problems fairly easily. Use a colored putty (offered by your flooring manufacturer or recommended by the place you bought your flooring) to fill in these spots. For more substantial floor flaws, you can replace specific boards by cutting out the damaged piece with a router, then replace the damaged piece and glue it in place. Some brands of flooring offer even easier ways to replace damaged pieces: All you have to do is snap out the effected piece, then snap in a new piece using a metal clip system. No matter how simple this sounds, however, it’s recommended that you hire a professional for replacements. You would hate to ruin an entire floor while trying to replace one small flaw.