Understanding Vinyl Flooring Failure: Delamination & Moisture Issues
Vinyl flooring has become a popular choice for homeowners due to its affordability, durability, and stylish appearance. However, not all vinyl flooring performs the same, and if it’s not installed correctly or exposed to excessive moisture, it can fail over time. One of the most common issues is delamination, where the layers of the vinyl separate, leading to bubbling, peeling, and a weakened surface.
What Causes Vinyl Flooring to Fail?
1. Moisture Intrusion
Vinyl flooring is marketed as water-resistant, but that doesn’t mean it’s waterproof under all conditions. In high-moisture areas or homes with improper subfloor preparation, water can seep beneath the vinyl, breaking down adhesives and causing the material to lift, curl, or bubble.
Common moisture-related issues include:
- Subfloor moisture: Concrete slabs or improperly sealed wood subfloors can hold moisture that seeps into the vinyl over time.
- Leaks and spills: Water from appliances, plumbing leaks, or spills left unattended can penetrate seams and edges.
- High humidity: In areas like St. George, Utah, where temperature fluctuations can impact indoor humidity, poor ventilation may cause vinyl to expand, contract, and eventually weaken.
2. Delamination – When Layers Start to Separate
Delamination occurs when the wear layer and backing layers of vinyl flooring start to peel apart. This can happen due to:
- Excessive moisture exposure, which weakens adhesives.
- Poor manufacturing quality, where lower-end vinyl lacks proper bonding strength.
- Heavy foot traffic or improper cleaning, which wears down the protective layer over time.
3. Incorrect Installation
Proper installation is key to ensuring vinyl flooring lasts. Common installation mistakes that lead to failure include:
- Not acclimating the flooring before installation, causing it to expand or contract.
- Installing over an uneven or unsealed subfloor, allowing moisture pockets to form.
- Using the wrong adhesive or click-lock system, leading to separation and gaps.
How to Prevent Vinyl Flooring Failure
As flooring experts in St. George, Utah, we ensure your vinyl flooring is installed with precision to prevent common failures. Here’s how:
Moisture Testing – We check subfloor moisture levels before installation to avoid hidden issues.
Proper Subfloor Prep – We smooth and seal the subfloor to create a solid foundation.
High-Quality Materials – We only install trusted, durable vinyl flooring brands that withstand wear and tear.
Professional Installation – Our team ensures tight seams, correct adhesive application, and proper acclimation.
Need Reliable Flooring expert and recommendations? We’ve Got You Covered!
If you’re considering vinyl, or laminate flooring for your home, or if you’re experiencing issues like bubbling, lifting, or peeling, we can help! At The Flooring Studio by Heidi Berlin, we specialize in high-quality flooring solutions that stand the test of time.
Serving St. George, Utah & Surrounding Areas
Contact us today for a consultation!
Your Experts Remodeling & Flooring in St. George, Utah – providing Quality, Efficiency, and Craftsmanship that You Can trust!”
Heidi made having to redo all the flooring in our only 3 year old home way less stressful than I imagined a project like that would be. She came in, made a plan, listened to our concerns and did the majority of the work while we were out of town so that I wouldn’t have to live in the mess!
But there really wasn’t that much of a mess, her and her contractors were clean, prompt, on time and all of them were so great. I felt completely confident leaving my home open for them to come in and out and do their thing. So so happy with how it all turned out!
— Kristie Robinson
