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The Possible Issues You May Face with Your Wood-Look Vinyl Flooring in Jensen Beach
Although it is beautiful, elegant and, overall, durable and resistant, you may face some problems with your wood-look vinyl flooring. Factors like weather conditions, installation procedure quality and wear can cause serious issues over time. Next, we’ll expose thje most common problems you may face with your wood-look flooring in Jensen Beach and also some tips to prevent and solve each one of them.
Moisture and Humidity Problems
Located on Florida’s east coast, Jensen Beach is known for having a tropical climate with frequent rainfalls and high humidity levels which can be really harmful for some flooring and, although more resistant to moisture and humidity than real wood, it can eventually suffer moisture-related issues being the most common expansion and contraction and moisture accumulation under the flooring.
Expansion and contraction is the most important concern regarding vinyl flooring in humid environments. Vinyl is less prone to swell than real wood but it can expand when it is really hot indoors or even when there are high levels of humidity. This issue can cause gaps between the planks if there was not an expansion gap. For the same reason, it is important to make sure there is an expansion gap between the floor and the walls, this is why it won’t matter if the vinyl expands or contracts because it won’t generate gapping.
Using a dehumidifier when it is too humid also helps to control humidity indoors and, therefore, preserve the flooring.
Although vinyl is waterproof, moisture can accumulate under the flooring if there are gaps or cracks in the surface or if there is some damage or issue in the subfloor. This can cause mold growth which will decrease the lifespan of the flooring and also implies a health risk for residents.
It is essential to check the general condition of the subfloor before installing the wood-look vinyl flooring. For a concrete floor the best option is to install a moisture barrier since of all materials your subfloor can be made of, concrete is probably the most prone to accumulate moisture. Making sure the installation process is properly performed will prevent any moisture-related issue.
Peeling or Curling Edges
This is a very common issue with wood-look vinyl flooring and is more usual in very humid areas like Jensen Beach. It could be the consequence of an improper installation, poor quality adhesive or a long exposure to moisture.
When the glue used is improperly applied or when there is moisture in the subfloor, adhesion is pretty likely to fail. In especially humid areas , moisture can weaken the adhesive, causing peeling or curling.
If you have a floating floor or a click-and-lock vinyl flooring, the wrong installation technique can cause the lifting of the 3edges of the planks. When not snapped tightly or not properly cut to fit the space, the planks may present curls over time.
To prevent this failure, it is important to hire a professional to install your wood-look vinyl flooring since local contractors are familiarized with the difficult weather in Jensen Beach so they’ll use a proper adhesive to install the planks and will ensure the planks are properly laid with the right gaps to prevent expansion.
Scratching and Denting
Even being known for its durability and resistance, wood-look vinyl flooring can suffer scratches and dents. If you have heavy furniture, sharp objects or you don’t properly clean the sand when you come from the beach, your wood-look vinyl flooring can scratch over time. This is a very common issue especially in coastal areas like Jensen Beach where sand can easily enter houses.
To prevent these issues you can place felt pads under the legs of your furniture and put entryway mats at all doors to trap the sand. You can also sweep and vacuum more frequently to make sure the surface is free of any harmful material and, if you want extra protection for your floor, you can use a vinyl floor polish.
Fading for Sunlight
Another common problem, especially in coastal sunny areas like Jensen Beach, is the fading of your wood-look vinyl flooring for long exposure to UV radiation. This risk is even higher if you have large windows or glass doors.
The best that you can do to prevent this problem is installing UV-blocking screens or using curtains and rugs in the rooms that receive most of the sunlight. There is also a UV-protective coating that you can apply on your wood-look vinyl flooring for extra protection.
Changing the distribution of the furniture will also help you to prevent this problem.
Gaps
This is another potential and common risk and is often linked to a wrongly-performed installation and also to the climate conditions. A subfloor that wasn’t properly prepared or that has previous issues that weren’t timely addressed can also cause the gaps and the lifting of the planks.
Keeping in mind that vinyl is very sensitive to temperature fluctuations, you should know that, if you live in a very hot area like Jensen Beach the high temperatures can cause the expansion of the wood-look vinyl planks and, if there is not enough space between planks, there can also be buckling.
It is essential to make sure the subfloor is dry, level and clean before the installation begins and, during installation, make sure there is a good expansion gap between the walls and the flooring so the planks will expand and contract without the risk of buckling.
Wear and Tear
In high-traffic areas, like entryways, hallways and kitchens your wood-look vinyl flooring can start to show signs of wear because of the progressive deterioration of the vinyl.
In order to prevent premature wear, you can strategically place rugs or mats in the heavy-traffic areas of your house. Using a high-quality vinyl that provides very good protection will help to extend the lifespan of your flooring.
Although it is a great option for homes in Jensen Beach, like any other flooring, you may face some problems related to your wood-look vinyl flooring. Taking all the care and preventive measures you’ll have a great-looking wood-look vinyl flooring for a really long time.
It is essential to address these problems on time to ensure a beautiful and lasting floor despite the adverse factors you may face when living in a coastal area.
Do you live in the Jensen Beach area and you’re facing any of these problems with your wood-look vinyl flooring? We are the professionals you’re looking for. In R&J Interior Innovation and Home Improvement we’ll efficiently address any issue you may have with your wood-look vinyl flooring in the most quick and efficient way.
We’re already well known in the Jensen Beach area as the best home improvement option and that’s how we’ve built a solid reputation among Florida’s east coast residents.
Our highly skilled team of experts provides the most professional maintenance and repairing services always ensuring full customer satisfaction so you won’t have to call us more than once to get your wood-look vinyl flooring issue totally repaired. Don’t hesitate to call us and get your quote now!
