Vinyl flooring popping out

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Jul 9th, 2021 7:40 pm

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Jul 8th, 2021 12:31 am

DrunkMunky168 [OP]: Newbie; Jan 21, 2008; 48 posts; 7 upvotes; Montreal

Jul 8th, 2021 12:31 am

Vinyl flooring popping out

We installed vinyl flooring in the whole basement of a rental unit during the winter time. This are the flooring: https://www.renodepot.com/en/mono-serra ... 1-84665953

Recently some of the vinyl panel are popping out, we would assume due to the change in temperature (see images). When we pushed it back down, they do not stay in place.

I have been searching online but most repairs seems to be related to the sliding or “bubbling” issues.

Has anyone encounter this issue in the past? If so, how was it fixed?

Thanks!

Images

15 replies

Jul 8th, 2021 7:22 am

hank755: Deal Addict; Sep 24, 2006; 1105 posts; 377 upvotes

Jul 8th, 2021 7:22 am

I'm also experiencing this and would love to get more information as well.

DrunkMunky168 wrote: ↑ We installed vinyl flooring in the whole basement of a rental unit during the winter time. This are the flooring: https://www.renodepot.com/en/mono-serra ... 1-84665953

Recently some of the vinyl panel are popping out, we would assume due to the change in temperature (see images). When we pushed it back down, they do not stay in place.

I have been searching online but most repairs seems to be related to the sliding or “bubbling” issues.

Has anyone encounter this issue in the past? If so, how was it fixed?

Thanks!

Jul 8th, 2021 8:11 am

BitShark92: Newbie; Nov 21, 2017; 92 posts; 81 upvotes

Jul 8th, 2021 8:11 am

Did you leave a gap from the planks to all walls when installing?

+3

Jul 8th, 2021 8:15 am

barqers: Deal Addict; Jun 11, 2010; 1542 posts; 965 upvotes; ottawa

Jul 8th, 2021 8:15 am

This looks like it might be water damage - the kitchenette right there does it have running water / a sink? Is it possible someone dropped water in those spots?

Jul 8th, 2021 8:17 am

BitShark92: Newbie; Nov 21, 2017; 92 posts; 81 upvotes

Jul 8th, 2021 8:17 am

barqers wrote: ↑ This looks like it might be water damage - the kitchenette right there does it have running water / a sink? Is it possible someone dropped water in those spots?

Isn't (most) vinyl supposed to be water-proof? That's one of the main selling features of choosing vinyl over laminate because it's recommended for bathrooms and kitchens.

+1

Jul 8th, 2021 8:34 am

RCLapCar: Sr. Member; Dec 21, 2020; 687 posts; 611 upvotes

Jul 8th, 2021 8:34 am

My guess this is caused by heat expansion or an uneven floor under the vinyl.

+2

Jul 8th, 2021 8:37 am

RCGA: Deal Fanatic; Dec 10, 2008; 5110 posts; 1854 upvotes

Jul 8th, 2021 8:37 am

My guess is that it wasn't installed correctly.

This will "lock" when installed correctly.

Let's hug it out

+3

Jul 8th, 2021 9:16 am

JEDI Force: Deal Addict; Feb 25, 2004; 1679 posts; 1241 upvotes; Longueuil

Jul 8th, 2021 9:16 am

Vinyl should not be affected by water. My guess is the floor might be uneven. When properly installed, the planks are locked together but if the floor underneath is uneven, they can unlock. Otherwise I also suppose some "lock" system are better than others depending on the brand so a lower quality plank might unlock more easily.

Try not! Do or do not, there is no try...

+2

Jul 8th, 2021 10:15 am

GoodFellaz: Deal Fanatic; Jun 24, 2015; 7847 posts; 2619 upvotes; 0 downvotes

Jul 8th, 2021 10:15 am

they do interlock yes so if you didnt close the gap this could happen. We used self leveling cement to level our floors before we installed it, did u do this?

also some vinal has adhesive on the back, some does not.,

Supermarket worker at Fortino's
I'm Not a Wise Guy but more of a Good Fella~!
Drive an Escalade

Jul 8th, 2021 11:49 am

DrunkMunky168 [OP]: Newbie; Jan 21, 2008; 48 posts; 7 upvotes; Montreal

Jul 8th, 2021 11:49 am

Thanks for all your replies.

Unfortunately, I was not there when my father installed it but I do see some gaps on some walls but certainly not all of them.

Based on the replies, I do suspect the floor was uneven and based on how it pops out, the locking mechanism is not that great as some of you have pointed out.

Beside removing it, leveling the floor and installing it correctly, there seems to be no other alternative…

Jul 8th, 2021 12:00 pm

RCGA: Deal Fanatic; Dec 10, 2008; 5110 posts; 1854 upvotes

Jul 8th, 2021 12:00 pm

DrunkMunky168 wrote: ↑ Thanks for all your replies.

Unfortunately, I was not there when my father installed it but I do see some gaps on some walls but certainly not all of them.

Based on the replies, I do suspect the floor was uneven and based on how it pops out, the locking mechanism is not that great as some of you have pointed out.

Beside removing it, leveling the floor and installing it correctly, there seems to be no other alternative…

Is this the basement or main floor? Hard to imagine the main floor subfloor would be so out of wack it would cause this. Again, looks like a sloppy install, not a sub-floor issue.

Let's hug it out

+1

Jul 8th, 2021 1:39 pm

gr8dlr: Deal Expert; Sep 1, 2005; 19427 posts; 14401 upvotes; Markham

Jul 8th, 2021 1:39 pm

DrunkMunky168 wrote: ↑ Thanks for all your replies.

Unfortunately, I was not there when my father installed it but I do see some gaps on some walls but certainly not all of them.

Based on the replies, I do suspect the floor was uneven and based on how it pops out, the locking mechanism is not that great as some of you have pointed out.

Beside removing it, leveling the floor and installing it correctly, there seems to be no other alternative…

You can cut the tile where there is no gapping where tile meets wall. Hopefully you can re-tap or re-lock the tiles together otherwise you might have to relay them.

We're all bozos on the bus until we find a way to express ourselves...

Failure is always an option...just not the preferred one!

Jul 8th, 2021 4:24 pm

tim-x: Deal Addict; Nov 8, 2005; 3232 posts; 2833 upvotes

Jul 8th, 2021 4:24 pm

DrunkMunky168 wrote: ↑ Thanks for all your replies.

Unfortunately, I was not there when my father installed it but I do see some gaps on some walls but certainly not all of them.

Based on the replies, I do suspect the floor was uneven and based on how it pops out, the locking mechanism is not that great as some of you have pointed out.

Beside removing it, leveling the floor and installing it correctly, there seems to be no other alternative…

Relaying them sounds like a huge pita but it is not too bad. I installed 600 sq ft of the stuff in a weekend having never done it before. Just lift it up, make sure you leave a proper gap between the floor and all walls, and try to level any very uneven parts. I did not level my basement slab before laying my vinyl plank and I have not had an issue in the past 5 years.

+2

Jul 9th, 2021 11:26 am

nowhere2010: Deal Addict; Jul 7, 2020; 1022 posts; 568 upvotes

Jul 9th, 2021 11:26 am

DrunkMunky168 wrote: ↑ We installed vinyl flooring in the whole basement of a rental unit during the winter time. This are the flooring: https://www.renodepot.com/en/mono-serra ... 1-84665953

Recently some of the vinyl panel are popping out, we would assume due to the change in temperature (see images). When we pushed it back down, they do not stay in place.

I have been searching online but most repairs seems to be related to the sliding or “bubbling” issues.

Has anyone encounter this issue in the past? If so, how was it fixed?

Thanks!

I also have similar problems where some parts seem to be popping out little not too much.
Main culprit I found out -
--Original flooring was not that leveled properly & then assume we put a underpadding sheet and then Vinyl planks (with attached underpad again) on top of it. I somehow feel that laying Vinyl planks looks pretty easy (i mean through installer only) provided ground work is done properly...

+1

Jul 9th, 2021 2:26 pm

jacquesstrap: Deal Addict; Nov 9, 2008; 1852 posts; 877 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 9th, 2021 2:26 pm

Vinyl planks need a firm, regular and relatively "true" substrate. Any irregularities/bumps/dips in the floor, or excessive underpad/flex beneath the floor will cause stress on the joints and may cause them to separate. Not all vinyl flooring is created equal either - higher end vinyl plank flooring has a much better tonge/groove system than the big box cheap stuff.

+2

Jul 9th, 2021 7:40 pm

Chickinvic: Deal Fanatic; Dec 27, 2009; 7829 posts; 5345 upvotes; Victoria, BC

Jul 9th, 2021 7:40 pm

barqers wrote: ↑ This looks like it might be water damage - the kitchenette right there does it have running water / a sink? Is it possible someone dropped water in those spots?

Water shouldn't be an issue with vinyl planks. This looks like a really bad install.

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