4 Pro Tips to Avoid Costly Seam Failures in Your LVT Install Burlingame, CA

Installing Luxury Vinyl Flooring yourself is a great way to save on labor costs when completing a remodel. Floating or click and lock luxury vinyl is considered a “DIY-friendly” method compared to a glue down or other method.

While that is technically true, depending on your application, we should warn that certain applications and scenarios will need a professional installation for long-term success. A proper installation, whether it’s done by a professional or by a first-timer, will protect against buckling, lifting and other common floor failures that occur due to moisture and weather.

Today, we’ll cover one of the most common problems that can occur in a LVT installation – seam failure.

What is LVP Seam Failure?

LVP is famous for having a waterproof surface, meaning spills and everyday splashes won’t hurt it from the top down. But, it is not bulletproof from beneath.

If moisture gets trapped underneath or your seams split, you could end up with a larger problem of best case, having to rip up your newly installed floors and then reinstall them (hopefully you ordered that additional 10%), or worse, the moisture goes unnoticed, leading to mold and mildew growth.

4 Ways to Prevent Moisture Problems & Vinyl Plank Seam Failure

1. Never Skip Subfloor Prep (And Stop “Telegraphing”)

Subfloor preparation is often the most underrated step and is often skipped or not done to the extent needed. Sanding, scraping, leveling; it’s time consuming and arduous. But if you try to install luxury vinyl over a bumpy, uneven substrate, you’re asking for trouble.

An uneven subfloor causes the vinyl planks to flex every single time someone walks over them. Over time, that constant vertical movement stresses the locking mechanisms until the seams physically snap or separate. Plus, any imperfections below will eventually “telegraph” (show through) to the surface.

• Our Recommendation: Your subfloor should be level within 3/16” over 8-10 feet.

2. Guard Against Subfloor Moisture

While your new floor boasts top-surface waterproofing, moisture hiding in a concrete slab or rising from a damp crawl space is a completely different beast. Vapor pressure from below can get trapped under the planks, leading to mold, buckling, and seam failure. If you are floating your flooring over a glue-down vinyl or glued linoleum you should still use a vapor barrier.

• Our Recommendation: Always run a moisture test on your subfloor. If you’re installing LVP over concrete, lay down a high-quality 6-mil poly vapor barrier first to protect the underside of your core.

3. Leave Room to Breathe (Expansion Gaps)

Luxury vinyl planks are incredibly stable, but they still expand and contract slightly with shifts in indoor temperature and humidity. If you push the planks tight against your drywall or baseboards, the floor will have nowhere to go when it expands. As a result, the planks will push against each other, causing the joints to peak, buckle, and break.

• Our Recommendation: Always leave a ¼’ to ⅜” expansion gap around the entire perimeter of the room. That gap will disappear when you re-install your quarter-round molding

4. Lock It Right the First Time

Click-lock joints are engineered to fit together with precision. If a seam isn’t fully engaged, a tiny hairline gap will remain. It might look fine at first glance, but traffic will eventually cause the joint to separate, allowing dirt and surface water to seep between the planks.

• Our Recommendation: Use a dedicated tapping block and a rubber mallet to gently secure every single joint. Never strike the profile of the plank directly with a hammer, or you’ll ruin the locking mechanism before the floor is even down.

Visit The Floor Store Outlet in Burlingame, CA to Get Started!

Skip the big-box checkout lines and drop by The Floor Store Outlet at our Burlingame showroom.

We stock the exact same pro-grade brands as our flagship locations, but at warehouse closeout prices up to 40% less.

Come talk to a real flooring specialist who can hook you up with the right planks, matching trim, and the technical advice you need to get the job done right.