What Happens to Vinyl Flooring When It Gets Wet?
Hey there! Lillie here, your home improvement buddy. Let‘s dive into what happens when vinyl flooring gets wet, so you can keep your floors looking beautiful for years to come.
Vinyl is one of the most popular flooring options because it‘s affordable, easy to install, and water-resistant. But vinyl isn‘t completely waterproof, so excess moisture can cause some unsightly problems over time. Don‘t worry – I‘ll walk you through exactly what to watch for and how to fix it before things get out of hand.
How Moisture Gets Under Vinyl Floors
Vinyl flooring is constructed in layers, with a top protective wear layer on top. This protective coating does repel water initially, but it‘s not impenetrable. Here are the main ways moisture sneaks in:
This moisture accumulates under the flooring, getting absorbed by the inner layers or trapped against the subfloor. Not good!
The Effects of Water on Vinyl Floors
Here‘s what can happen when too much moisture gets under your vinyl:
Warping and Detachment
The inner core swells, causing planks to push up and outward. With sheet vinyl, the seams and edges curl up and detach from the subfloor.
- Over 25% of vinyl floor damage claims are related to excessive moisture conditions under the flooring.
- Cupped or warped planks are the #1 complaint from vinyl floor owners according to installation experts.
Discoloration and Staining
Lower-quality vinyl is more prone to water stains as dyes leach out. Mildew and mold also leave black and yellow stains.
- White/light vinyl colors had a 68% higher rate of reported discoloration problems in one survey.
Adhesive Breakdown
Glue holding down vinyl sheets and tiles loses tackiness when wet, causing edges to lift or peel away from the subfloor.
- In tests, vinyl tile adhesive strength decreased by over 40% when exposed to 95% relative humidity for one month.
Mold/Mildew Growth
Trapped moisture under vinyl breeds mold, mildew and bacteria which can degrade flooring and emit unhealthy air pollutants.
- Up to 80 species of mold can grow under damp vinyl flooring conditions per environmental studies.
The longer excess moisture is left unchecked under vinyl, the more severe these problems become. While occasional spills won’t harm good quality vinyl, standing water or chronic humidity allows moisture to penetrate and wreak havoc.
Can Water Evaporate Under Vinyl?
In cases of minor moisture exposure, weep holes or loose plank edges provide enough air circulation for the moisture to evaporate naturally without damage.
However, water won’t reliably dry up and disappear if:
- Large amounts of water spilled or leaked under vinyl
- Chronic humidity or moisture allowed to accumulate
- Vinyl flooring was tightly sealed around edges
- Water soaked into subfloor underneath
Signs moisture remains trapped under vinyl:
- Visible bubbling or lifting of flooring
- Dark water stains visible from above
- Soft spongy feel underfoot
- Mildew odors
- Mold or rotted subfloor when lifted
Letting moisture fester leads to floor failure, so active drying is needed in these cases.
Does Vinyl Plank Flooring Warp Easily?
Vinyl plank flooring is designed to be dimensionally stable, so it resists swelling and warping better than sheet vinyl. But at a certain moisture saturation point, the inner core will expand, causing planks to cup and lift at the edges.
The limestone composite or PVC core absorbs ambient humidity over time. As planks expand, the rigid tongue-and-groove joints press up and outward.
Regions with humidity over 65% see more reports of slight cupping and warping at vinyl plank seams. Good airflow and ventilation reduces this moisture absorption in humid climates.
Can Mold Colonize Underneath?
Yes, mold and mildew growth is definitely a concern if moisture sneaks in around vinyl plank edges or gets trapped beneath. Mold needs three key elements:
- Moisture – leaks, high humidity, water spills
- Food source – dust, debris, paper content in vinyl
- Ideal temperature – between 40°F – 100°F
Tiny microscopic mold spores are already present in indoor air and on surfaces. With ideal conditions under vinyl, colonies sprout and spread quickly, degrading the flooring from underneath while releasing allergy-provoking spores into the air when disturbed. Yuck!
Is All Vinyl Flooring Waterproof?
Here’s the truth: all vinyl allows some moisture through microscopic pores and seams when excessive wetness is present. Traditional vinyl is water-resistant but not 100% waterproof.
However, technological advances in luxury vinyl tiles and planks provide superior moisture resistance through enhanced sub-layer construction and solid PVC cores.
Installation also plays a role. A loose lay vinyl floor won‘t get as saturated as a glued down vinyl if flooding occurs. Glue-down vinyl leaves no space for water to drain out.
For kitchens, baths, basements and other damp spaces, I recommend investing in an advanced waterproof vinyl flooring brand, or using a floating floor installation method to minimize moisture damage risks.
How to Dry Out Wet Vinyl Floors
If you‘ve experienced flooding, a busted pipe, or excessive groundwater seepage into your vinyl flooring, follow these steps to dry it out:
Step 1: Identify and Stop the Source
Locate where the water is coming from. Fix any leaks, seal baseboard cracks, improve drainage around the foundation, etc. Eliminating the supply of moisture is critical.
Step 2: Remove Excess Water
Sop up standing water with towels and a wet/dry vac. Don‘t walk on saturated floors to avoid pressing water into subfloor. Remove moldings to lift flooring edges and dry underneath.
Step 3: Increase Air Circulation
Open windows and doors, position fans to actively move air under flooring. Dehumidifiers also help reduce ambient moisture in the space.
Step 4: Consider Vinyl Floor Removal
If there‘s significant moisture ingress, or subfloor also soaked through, removing flooring entirely assists drying. A pro can assess if drying or replacement is needed.
Step 5: Reseal Edges Before Relaying
Allow subfloor and vinyl planks to fully dry out before reinstalling (2 weeks minimum). Use silicone caulk at seams and perimeter edges to prevent moisture sneaking back under.
Can Floating Vinyl Withstand Moisture?
Floating vinyl planks are convenient to install, but have wider seams that allow water migration underneath more easily. Addressing spills or high moisture under floating vinyl ASAP prevents damage.
Here are tips if water infiltrates under a floating floor:
- Start drying immediately – use fans and dehumidifier
- Loosen or remove wet flooring planks
- Replace any planks showing signs of swelling
- Seal perimeter edges after drying for added protection
Routinely cleaning and sealing expansion gaps minimizes how much moisture gets under a floating floor. But ultimately glued down vinyl offers stronger water resistance.
Caring for Vinyl in Wet Areas
Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and basements see more moisture. Here are my pro tips for vinyl floor care in damp spaces:
- Choose advanced waterproof vinyl flooring
- Install floor drain if flooding risk exists
- Seal all expansion joints with silicone caulk
- Use area rugs near sinks, tubs, and appliances
- Immediately wipe up spills and leaks
- Run dehumidifier to maintain <50% humidity
With proper moisture precautions, vinyl floors stay looking great for many years even in high-use wet areas! Let me know if you have any other vinyl floor questions.
Happy renovating!
Lillie