It is absolutely essential that the subfloor is completely level. The preparation of the subfloor depends on what type of vinyl you are installing. Make sure the subfloor is completely flat. Any unevenness of more than 0.2 mm over a length of 20 cm must be levelled out.
But, just like with any other permanent product, it's imperative that the existing floor is clean and dry, in excellent condition, and most important, level. A flat and level floor is key so that the adjoining vinyl plank flooring don't have varying heights.
You can install vinyl on many types of subfloor, including concrete and wood. But that floor must be flat for your installation to be a success. An uneven subfloor can lead to potential problems, such as planks having varying heights that will make the flooring unstable and wear down more quickly.
Vinyl is flexible so just no real drastic changes. Below are the basic steps to fixing uneven concrete floors. If you do not have experience with concrete or self-leveling floor compounds, I recommend a sub-floor, or hiring a contractor.
Prepare to Level a Floor
In these instances, the evaluation and correction of the subfloor can be done with the old floor covering still in place. Self-leveling compound, for example, is an easy way to level and flatten out a vinyl floor before laying laminate planks over the top.
It is absolutely essential that the subfloor is completely level. The preparation of the subfloor depends on what type of vinyl you are installing. Make sure the subfloor is completely flat. Any unevenness of more than 0.2 mm over a length of 20 cm must be levelled out.
If the floors are glue down, gently peel back the area buckling. Scrape away any existing adhesive that has failed, softening it with a hairdryer if necessary. Apply new adhesive and work the vinyl tile back into place. Roll over the area to smooth out the buckled area and ensure proper adhesion of the adhesive.
The best flooring for uneven floors due to its attractiveness and durability is epoxy, which can also be designed to mimic a wide variety of appearances. Not only will epoxy finish out the floor, but it'll also even it out.
Both vinyl and laminate floors are versatile and durable options that can be installed over slightly uneven surfaces. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to clean and maintain, and come in a wide range of patterns and colors so you don't have to sacrifice style for function.
Underlayment can help smooth things out, though, but the type you choose will vary depending on your specific reasoning for wanting an even subfloor. That can make choosing the right one for you rather tricky, so here's a quick guide that should lend a helping hand in getting the best underlayment for uneven subfloors.
When properly used, expansion gaps can relieve the pressure from heat expansion that can affect a floating floor and prevent any noticeable buckling or peaked appearance. If the floor is less than 50 ft in length or width, leave at least a ¼-inch expansion gap around the entire perimeter.
Where you are installing a glue down luxury vinyl flooring then the common practice and line of thought is that you DO NOT need to leave an expansion gap to the extent that you would a floating floor (see Camaro Loc below). Your installer may still need an expansion gap of 1-2mm covered by a suitable sealant.
One way to install flooring on uneven floors is to choose a type of flooring that is naturally flexible. This makes carpet one of the most ideal options: it's cheap, easy to install, and very attractive. For only slightly uneven flooring, sturdy materials such as luxury vinyl plank can also be used for full coverage.
A floating floor that is not staggered will not only look odd it will not perform well and as it expands it can even lift up like a hinge. Staggering adds strength and structural stability.
Luxury vinyl flooring is more forgiving than other types of hard flooring when it comes to installation on a subfloor that is less than perfect. If you attempt to install ceramic or natural stone tile on a subfloor that is not well prepared, with no bumps, blemishes, cracks, or warping, every imperfection will show.
In some cases, a slight slope may be normal and not cause for concern. However, if the slope is severe or getting worse over time, it could be a sign of a serious problem that requires immediate attention. One potential risk of sloping floors is damage to the structural integrity of the home.
Uneven floors in a house are usually a sign of a foundation problem, but not always. For example, if you live in a house with a crawl space foundation, uneven floors might be a sign the support posts in your crawl space have settled, or the screw jacks have deteriorated and rusted out.
While laminate tends to be more forgiving of subfloor imperfections compared to other types of flooring, it is still important to level your flooring to avoid future damage if you are installing laminate flooring on an uneven subfloor. A level subfloor ensures a more attractive and long-lasting finish.
Floating flooring is not recommended for uneven floors as this increases risk of the planks moving or splitting apart. Ceramic and porcelain tiles will also crack over time if the subfloor is uneven.
Ramp option for joining a carpet to a hard floor.
Another floor transition for uneven floors is the Compression Ramp. It is designed to join a carpet to a hard floorcovering, where there is a height difference of up to 5mm either way.
The term "floating floor" refers to the construction of flooring material to lock together using a system similar to a puzzle piece where the material locks together creating a tight bond. With this tight bond, the floor is stable without any attachment to the sub-floor.
Higher than Normal Levels of Humidity and Moisture
Several damaging influences cause buckling, yet perhaps none are more common than too much moisture. Like you'd expect, it is the natural enemy of our floors, weakening the glue that holds down the planks, thus allowing them to move out of position.
All building materials, vinyl flooring included, expand and contract as temperatures change. To allow for that movement without causing the planks to buckle as they expand or slip apart as they shrink, installers are supposed to leave an expansion gap around the perimeter of the room.
The main cause of warping in vinyl flooring is exposure to direct sunlight during installation, which causes the planks to expand. In the case of glue-down tiles and planks, warping can occur due to water spillage that is not cleaned up immediately and has seeped under the flooring through the seams.