I read the whole box when he indicated the natural moisture level was too high and told me I should apply the vapor barrier. 270 locations nationwide! We have two smaller dogs (25 lbs) and one Rottweiler (60 lbs), plus three older kids who like to rile them up. Call your installer first. I would imagine most people don't. Was the slab grind And free of contamination? Agreed on plank over sheet. If that’s not it, and it’s a standard humidity and concrete issue, then forget about it. The easiest fix *might be to cut the floor at all door jams and drop in a low-profile t-moulding. When moving large items, lift the piece or use furniture movers to help limit damage to the floors. If it's from another unidentified leak on top of the slab, you should have other signs of moisture present. Using a roller at the initial installation will help to prevent the buckling of vinyl plank flooring down the line. Mold grows in dark and damp conditions. There is no other flooring on the ground level. Vinyl Planks Curling, Cupping, and Dimensional Instabilities Dimensional instabilities, curling, cupping, and lifting of the flooring can happen if the moisture level of the subfloor and the room, in general, are left unchecked and unmoderated. But the GROUND UP stuff (the crumbly bit on the back of the planks) is not. The question becomes HOW OFTEN do you need them. Scrape away any existing adhesive that has failed, softening it with a hairdryer if necessary. Easier to install, more durable, and looks much better. Forget a general contractor. last year. I'm going to throw my hat into the ring. Barely noticeable, but hoping it doesn't cause a wear issue. I've read other posts about temperature and humidity levels voiding warranty but who's to argue the temperature of my home. What Lies Beneath That Old Linoleum Kitchen Floor? It is either the product or the installation. The product went on and produced a flexible, rubber like consistency and I never thought about it again. Transition strips are required for ALL floating flooring....not just LVP with cork backing. .........I highly doubt you have a leaky pipe. How much should framing & foundation cost in SC? It is best to remove tile and then deal with the subfloor as it is. Vinyl flooring typically requires either a click-together, loose lay, or a glue-down installation process. Inexpensive adhesives are more likely to become loose and allow floors to buckle than premium adhesives. Despite you're at 72 degrees and your current "read". They will likely ask questions about acclimation and whether you have proper transitions and expansion space. This is especially common in vinyl flooring that has a fiberglass inner layer. You have a floor that shouldn't be overly affected by moisture ("Exclusive to Floor & Decor, NuCore® is 100% waterproof flooring"), sitting atop Bostik MVP, an excellent moisture barrier product. From what I've learned since, it is considered a better application. Each brand of adhesive has a designated working time, in which it forms a secure bond. Easy-care resilient floors may be the choice for you, The flooring material has become increasing popular. They recommended a product called Bostik Moisture Barrier. Make sure to use a top-quality adhesive for this process. A cork floating floor needs them. MASSIVE! I hired a flooring company to prep the floor. If a plumber doesn't have proper moisture meters, how/who determines if there's a leaky pipe under the slab? And most vinyls do NOT allow install over underpad...they must go straight down to concrete/plywood. The only issue I can foresee is that in a few places we feel a tiny shift when walking. You can order samples here: http://www.flooret.com/modin-vinyl-plank-flooring/, @fredisaduck We LOVE them! Since you don't mention any, I assume they don't exist. The resilient nature of the product makes it one that will last for many years to come. I'd start at: http://www.ifcii.org/ . The vinyl plank has a CORK BACKING. A hardwood floating floor needs them. Start with a broad approach - a general contractor? It moves more than wood does due to temperature changes. For more severe cases, replacing an entire section of the flooring may be necessary. An engineer? Click-together or loose lay flooring allows for easy replacement of a section. Laissez - faire and reality are very different. Thank you GreenDesign but if it is just naturally occurring moisture, couldn't mold grow under the floor? Call a plumber, maybe it's a leak under the concrete sub-floor? This is not about blame, money or being vindicated. Is this a click together or a glue down floor? When the bottom of the plank puffs MORE than the TOP you get cupping....just like you see in your photos. You will need to talk to your floor installer. Since the likely culprit is moisture, how should I proceed. You have a pretty floor. I have a massive problem with the Floor & Decor website with the installation suggestions. In fact a cork floating floor can expand as much as 1" over 25 linear feet. Buckling is most common in areas that get more direct sunlight, such as along sliding glass doors and large windows in the home. I'm going to call the flooring company or a different one and see what is happening as soon as the drywall work is done -- the electrician left quite a wake! Surprisingly, for the age and its modesty, my condo is on the dry side because I never open windows or doors and run the AC virtually 24/7. I'm wondering, @juneadams, if you used a pad? You know, it's funny you say that because the slab was prepped for the MVP as I originally hired the flooring company to only prep the floor for installation and I was going to install the floor myself but after drilling all the tile up and the discovery of the moisture, I let them do the whole thing. You may find the engineered hardwood is easier to deal with than vinyl. Hi, my floor's cupping. These basic roll-on topical applications can be overwhelmed. This will ensure that plenty of product is on-hand for future patches and repairs. Asking for Input on a '60s Ranch Bathroom Update. They are super easy to clean. A little background, in March 2017, I had just bought my 1985 condo in Florida, a few hundred yards from the bay and set off on a lot of renovations. SJ, I think you're mostly right and I knew that already but sometimes when others concur it helps lead the way. I'm going to bet the moisture has reached the cork backing and the cork has expanded...every grain of cork has puffed by 1% or so...which mean it is now much BIGGER than the vinyl it is attached to. Just like normal wood, a cork-backed vinyl plank will show the direction of the moisture. I'll give them a call and see what they say. I'm not too worried about mold but it is something to always consider in Florida. Cork is wood. Ways to Prevent Vinyl Plank Buckling Not enough room for expansion will cause cupping. : ) It's ALL over , not a huge issue in one spot. Installation is usually completed by then. This is measured typically in mm (0.3 mm, 0.5 mm), or mil (12 mil, 20 mil). The installer took a photo of the new trowel with the bucket, my name on a card and I think the moisture reading and he used a new trowel with every bucket he opened and photographed those. Extreme heat and sunlight damage is one of the most common reasons for vinyl plank buckling. See how, where and when to use this durable, easy-to-clean material, See why an engineered wood floor could be your best choice (and no one will know but you), Learn costs and other important details about renewing a hardwood floor — and the one mistake you should avoid, Which kitchen flooring is right for you? Place a few weights on the floor while the adhesive is drying. Vinyl is noisy and only allowed in small areas. Find the answers to your home improvement questions. In the colder weather, the opposite is true and the floor can contract, leaving gaps between two of the tiles. When it was installed, they left a gap for expansion but those instructions are always right on the box for any flooring. He said it was the best and recommended it unequivocally to seal the concrete. They'll just hire others. Could it be something environmental like excess ground water under the slab? If you'd like – check out our Install Manual – page 35 – there may be some helpful information for you there as well. The centre of the plank is sitting lower than the edges...and therefore is pointing DOWN. I'm concerned about the warranty. If you go that route it would be interesting to remove a plank in a closet to see if there's any evidence of moisture. To learn more, please consult BuildDirect's, How to Stop Your Vinyl Plank Flooring from Buckling. It’s why you can’t have it in front of a big sunny window without it buckling. Vinyl Plank Flooring - Cupping. Maybe Floridians hyper sensitive to mold and that scenario is unlikely? Please CHECK with the condo board to get approval before considering vinyl. I still think the Bostik has been overwhelmed and I think the cork has grabbed the moisture and pushed everything to the absolute limits (ie. Roll over the area to smooth out the buckled area and ensure proper adhesion of the adhesive. Sometimes, a simple repair of the affected area is sufficient.