Want to know whether can water seep through vinyl planks? Then you’ve come to the correct place. There are numerous factors to consider while picking a floor, such as if the ground will scratch easily, whether it will hold up well, and if members of your household will be spilling a lot of liquids. If this is the case, one crucial question is whether water can seep through vinyl planks?
Vinyl planks are waterproof, as you may well know. Water may still seep through or around the vinyl planks, particularly if there is a flood. Water may linger in the cracks, crevices, and corners of the floor if it is not cleaned soon after spilling, allowing mold to grow below.
If you discover anything has spilled, mop up the liquid immediately to prevent this problem. Today, we’ll discuss what you can do to avoid water damage in your house, what to do if a flood occurs and whether or not the planks may be saved. Continue reading to learn all there is to know.
Can Water Seep Through Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Water and other liquids spilled by mistake, such as from a broken pipe, dog urine, or other sources, may quickly become a major issue in our houses if they move from one room to another. The flooring materials you pick for your home’s floors mustn’t allow moisture to soak through. The issue now is whether or not vinyl plank flooring can keep water out.
Vinyl plank flooring systems are divided into three categories. The first is a glue-down vinyl plank system, the second is a peel-and-stick vinyl plank system, and the third is a click-lock or interlocking vinyl plank system, which is quite similar to the first. All three are water-resistant and will not be harmed if immersed in water.
The manner the three systems are placed, as well as their water-tightness in between the seams when installed, are among the distinctions. Only the click-lock or interlocking vinyl plank flooring system can keep water out of the subflooring.
The glue-down and peel-and-stick vinyl plank systems are extremely similar because they both use an adhesive to adhere to the floor. The glue-down vinyl plank flooring is attached to the floor by applying adhesive to the surface and then sticking the vinyl plank on top of it. On the other hand, peel-and-stick vinyl flooring already has a sticky underside that is initially covered by a plastic film. Peel the plastic sheet off the adhesive side of the vinyl plank and attach it straight to the floor surface.
Each plank in the glue-down and peel-and-stick vinyl plank flooring systems is laid side by side securely. They are waterproof and will not be destroyed if wet, but they are not watertight and will not completely prevent water from passing through the seams.
If you wipe the flooring dry as quickly as possible, it may block a tiny puddle of water from getting through for a short time. Allowing water to sit or stand for an extended period on the vinyl surface may cause it to soak through slowly. They were not meant to be waterproof between the seams. Thus they should not be utilized in locations where water is likely to be present, such as basements, bathrooms, or toilets.
The click-and-lock mechanism used in the click-lock or interlocking vinyl plank systems, on the other hand, secures one plank to the next. Because it is not fastened or glued down to the subflooring and is permitted to move and float over it, this sort of vinyl plank flooring system is also known as a floating vinyl plank floor.
Although there are several sub-types of interlocking and floating vinyl plank flooring systems, the most, if not all, are engineered to be completely waterproof between their connections and seams and will not allow water to pass through. To make the whole room impenetrable, it’s also vital to seal the perimeter of the flooring.
Consider a click-lock or interlocking vinyl plank flooring solution if water resistance is required in a specific area. However, not all interlocking vinyl plank flooring products are created equal, and some may be superior to others. Before committing to one, evaluate the qualities and specs of each product to see which one best matches your requirements.
What Happens When Water Gets Under Vinyl Plank Flooring?
When there is water beneath your vinyl plank flooring, it may show up in various ways, all of which are unpleasant. Water damage may cause your vinyl plank flooring to vary in several ways.
Adhesive Of Seam Deterioration
If you began with fresh vinyl plank flooring, you probably never felt any movement under your feet as you walked over it. Regardless of the amount of traffic, the flooring remained firm and stable. If the planking starts to shift or spread when you put weight on it, it might indicate that water has gotten beneath the flooring. It’s also possible that the seams are starting to open, indicating the presence of water.
Uneven Surface
The general smoothness of your vinyl plank flooring should be constant, just as it should be in terms of color. Major impacts may cause nicks and chips, but if you see planks with bubbles on their surface, microscopic ridges that resemble tiny veins, or bubbles, there’s a good probability that water has gotten under the surface of your flooring.
Tarnishing
The color of your vinyl plank flooring should be constant no matter how much traffic it receives. This material is very stain resistant and wipes clean easily. If you notice that a few boards have begun to fade or that spots have started to bleed a little bigger with discoloration, this might indicate that water has accumulated underneath your flooring.
How Do You Dry Water Under Vinyl Plank Flooring?
If the situation is controllable and you identify it in time, having water under your vinyl plank flooring does not necessarily require a total tear-out and replacement. Vinyl plank flooring may be put in two ways: directly over the subfloor without adhesive or using glue that binds the planks to the subfloor.
If you’ve uncovered anything beneath your vinyl plank flooring and you know it was laid above (rather than bonded) the subfloor, consider getting below it in the crawlspace or a room on the second or third story. See if you can discover a spot where the water has accumulated. This place might have watermarks, dripping water, or even mold discoloration.
Once you’ve discovered the problem area, ventilate it with a fan for two days (at the very least) or up to two weeks, depending on how moist it is. When the area has dried up, look for and replace the leak that caused the water to pool underneath your vinyl plank flooring.
Suppose you have glued vinyl floor planking and want to fix the problem at the source rather than installing another layer of flooring on top. In that case, you’ll probably need to find the water source, remove the planking in that area, and let it dry completely for a few days with a fan before replacing or reinstalling the original planking.
Will Water Dry Under Vinyl Plank Flooring?
If water penetrates your vinyl plank flooring, you may be wondering if the issue would go away on its own. This is another topic where the answer isn’t as black-and-white as it seems but depends on the circumstances. Regardless, you don’t want water accumulating beneath your vinyl, and it shouldn’t stay there for long, but will it dry on its own?
The most important thing to keep in mind is that vinyl is water-resistant. As a result, it will take a lot of leakages or a reasonably large-scale issue for water to seep under the surface. This implies that a little trickle will unlikely seep through the gaps in your vinyl plank flooring. As a result, if water does make its way under your flooring, you will most likely be dealing with a higher volume of water than a little spill.
Water will not dry under vinyl plank flooring due to the volume of water present under the floor and the impossibility of evaporation due to the lack of air circulation beneath the floor’s surface. The limited space that water is imprisoned in makes it almost difficult for water to dry on its own and does not allow for enough air to provide a favorable atmosphere for hands-off drying.
Do I Need a Moisture Barrier Under Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Because we’re dealing with moisture protection for our flooring, it’s essential to consider whether or not a moisture barrier is required. It is seldom necessary because vinyl plank flooring comes with an underlayment on the bottom of the boards.
However, if you want to protect your flooring, you may use a vinyl plank compatible underlayment, which will offer extra cushioning, mainly if your subfloor is concrete. If you choose this option and wish to glue your flooring down, ensure the moisture barrier enables adhesive since some moisture barriers do not.
Conclusion On Can Water Seep Through Vinyl Planks
The finest flooring selection for a homeowner is one that will cause the least amount of harm to the subfloor and floor structure. Although water may seep through vinyl planks, there are several steps you can take to extend their life.
Check for any leaks in your house regularly to prevent having to replace your vinyl floors entirely, and keep an eye out for any warranty options related to water damage when buying the flooring.