The vinyl plank flooring in a few rooms of my house is not as snug as I would like to believe it is. The meaning here is that it’s gradually coming apart. As luck would have it, I have done quite a few house improvements in the past, so determining the root of the issue and a solution shouldn’t be too challenging. And now that I’ve figured it out, I want to teach the world in the hopes that it may be of use to anyone else who’s struggling with the same thing.
What causes vinyl flooring planks to separate? Vinyl plank flooring’s expansion and contraction in response to temperature changes is a major contributor. Another cause is when the floor has been exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time. Vinyl plank flooring will also come loose if the subfloor is heaved up by a shifting house foundation.
Some of the causes of vinyl flooring failure are listed above. It’s possible for a floor tile to pop out of position if it wasn’t snapped in tightly enough. When laying vinyl plank flooring, I’ve noticed that if the edges aren’t quite straight, gaps will appear at one end of the room.
In this piece, I’ll go into more depth regarding these concerns so you can resolve your vinyl plank troubles. Are you interested in getting started with your education?
How To Fix Vinyl Plank Floor That Is Coming Apart?
Several common causes of vinyl plank flooring separation have been discussed. We’ll briefly cover each root reason and proposed solution down below.
1st Cause – Expansion And Contraction
First, we’ll look at what happens to vinyl flooring when it’s subjected to freezing and then boiling temperatures. The flooring will buckle as a result of the expansion and contraction. This is really annoying, and the root cause of the flooring’s behaviour is not always clear. Perhaps you’ve noticed that the floor begins to separate at predictable intervals throughout the year. Problems with plank flooring are common in areas with extreme temperature swings.
1st Cause – Solution & Fix
Keeping a steady temperature at home is the most effective way to deal with this problem. Maintain a steady temperature at home regardless of the relative humidity. I’m aware that in the winter it will be toasty and in the summer you may have the air conditioner on. The goal is to have stable temperatures over longer stretches of time, though not necessarily at the same annual average. I truly hope that all makes sense!
We can take action against buckling due to expansion and contraction now that we have this knowledge. Can’t we just snap the vinyl planks back together? Even after the buckling is fixed, certain floors may still require click-laying to restore their original position.
My go-to gimmick requires a 2-by-four measuring between 12 and 18 inches in length. Longer lengths are my personal preference.
Put a layer of double-sided tape on one side of the lumber only.
Stick the tape-side down onto the flooring planks that need to be relocated.
You can test how well the wood is sticking by tapping or pressing on it firmly.
To close the hole in the floor, hit the 24 across the space with a hammer or rubber mallet.
Using a larger piece of lumber, say an 18″ piece, will make it easier to move the plank flooring into place because of the increased grip.
Using this procedure, the buckled flooring should be simple to reinstall.
2nd Cause – Too Much Sun Exposure
Exposure to direct sunshine on a regular basis is a leading cause of vinyl plank flooring growth. The problem is caused by the flooring getting too hot due to the sun. The flooring is more likely to buckle the longer it sits in the sunlight. Not to mention the inevitable deterioration with age. What else can you do than maintain a steady temperature within the house? It’s a good question, and I’m happy you asked.
2nd Cause – Solution & Fix
When the sun is in a position to shine directly on your floor, you should keep your blinds or curtains closed. Installing motorised blinds that are automated with a timer and can be set to open and close even when you are away at work is a great method to protect your flooring without requiring you to constantly open and close them yourself.
Window tinting is another option for reducing solar heat gain. Unfortunately, that won’t be enough to solve the issue. The increased discretion provided by window tinting is a nice bonus.
Arrange your furnishings such that they cast a shadow over your floors during the midday and afternoon sun. The colour of your furniture may fade over time if you do this, so plan accordingly.
3rd Cause – Heaving Foundation
Vinyl plank flooring is particularly susceptible to buckling from heaving if you reside in a house with foundation problems and if the subfloor was not put correctly. How can you determine if it is indeed your basis? Intriguing query! Wall fractures and uneven floors are signs of potential foundation issues. If you notice cracks in the basement’s walls, that’s another red flag. Consequently, what options do you have?
3rd Cause – Solution & Fix
It is not as simple as my offering you the answers to these issues. It’s difficult to troubleshoot and the solution isn’t always the same unless I am physically present in your home and can examine the walls and flooring. If the basement walls are cracking, for instance, channel iron installation may be necessary, although if the cracks are only very little, hydraulic cement may be sufficient to repair them.
If there is any wiggle room in your telepost, I suggest fixing it. This indicates that there is some slack. Grab it higher up and give it a good shake to see if it moves. You should tighten it up if you can detect any wiggle room.
On the other side, if it’s too snug, the beam might be pushed upwards, which would cause the subfloor and vinyl plank flooring to do the same.
To fix this, loosen the tele-post until the floor slopes down to the point where there is no longer any heave or hump.
When you’re done, go ahead and utilise the first proposed solution to snap the planks back into position.
Summation
Fortunately, most of the problems that cause vinyl plank flooring to buckle may be fixed. I’ve included my take on the most typical explanations for these issues, as well as advice for how to approach them. The lumberjack’s improvised method of solving the problem is flawless. Believe me when I say that you should give it a shot. It is applicable to both laminate and plank flooring.
Thanks for reading; I wish you the best of luck in repairing your home one board at a time.
