How to fix vinyl plank flooring buckling

It goes without saying that whenever you finally make the upgrade to vinyl plank floors, you don’t want to see it falling into disrepair anytime soon. After all, that’s a significant investment, especially with some luxury options so popular these days! But even the best of the best can start showing wear and tear for various reasons, and some will even begin buckling despite remaining a relatively new addition to your home. Why does this happen, though, and how are you supposed to go about fixing it? Continue reading because we’ve got you covered. 

What Causes Vinyl Plank Buckling?

Vinyl plank flooring is a rather hearty option that gives you great looks, comfortability, and a certain amount of durability found lacking in other floor choices. Yet buckling and its resulting hills and dips in what should be your perfectly level surfaces is relatively common. Part of this is because there are just so many things that can contribute to the issue. While not an exhaustive list, some of the most typical causes for your vinyl plank woes include:

Exposure to Increased Heat or Sunlight

Do you know how your hands will sometimes swell up a bit in the summer? Well, our floors do their own version of this, expanding and contracting as temperatures shift and sunlight changes between practically nonexistent in the dreary winter months to overly plentiful in the hot, sunny months of summer. The warmer and brighter it is, the more your vinyl plank material will expand, eventually forcing the planks up from their original positioning and releasing the glue on any self-adhesive versions. The good news is, you’re not out of luck, there are ways to protect your vinyl planks from heat and sunlight.

Lack of Caution When Moving Objects

While high amounts of direct sunlight and hotter temps can both truly do a number on your beautiful vinyl plank floors, there are other explanations for why your boards/tiles are starting to resemble a wavy potato chip or a sinking ship. One of these is entirely controllable: a lack of carefulness when moving furniture/other heavy things around. 

Any kind of dragging motion can cause the object you’re moving to catch on the vinyl plank edges, potentially making them lift or loosening any glue that’s keeping them where they belong, which will ultimately hurt their longevity just the same. So, try your best to always lift rather than drag. It’ll reduce buckling and also prevent scuff marks. 

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. It’s a massive problem for those with concrete subfloors, thanks to its natural and moisture-emitting properties, and often requires a multi-approach solution to fix the issue. 

Underlayment with an attached vapor barrier can easily prevent damage from moisture. QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl underlayment comes with an attached moisture barrier to protect your flooring from moisture-emitting concrete floors. However, all underlayments with attached vapor barriers have their limits. If your concrete subfloor emits substantial amounts of moisture, installing a 6-mil vapor barrier directly over the subfloor is best. We recommend performing a calcium chloride test to find the amount of moisture your concrete is emitting. 

No Expansion Gap Created During Installation 

Vinyl plank flooring doesn’t seem incredibly complicated at first glance, and you’d be right. Of all the popular choices on the market, it’s undoubtedly one of the easier ones to install and repair should any damage (including buckling) occur. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t knowledge required to do it right. Vinyl has its particularities and needs like anything else. 

For example, it needs a small expansion gap between its edges and the wall. The gap leaves space for that expansion and contraction we mentioned before. Skip this crucial step, and you’re bound to run into some buckling sooner rather than later, the planks having nowhere to spread out as they heat. It’s also a step you can’t come back from unless you want to redo the floors throughout your entire home. Translation: do your homework before installation. Do it right the first time, and you can kick back and enjoy your beautiful, fully intact floors for far longer. 

How to Fix Your Vinyl Plank Floors

Now that we’re all completely clear on the fact vinyl plank floors need to be repaired and repaired fast once any buckling crops up, you’re probably wondering how you’re supposed to fix them anyway. It’s pretty straightforward, and you have a couple of options here. 

There are two ways you can go about this: with glue and with loose-lay flooring. However, both largely revolve around the same thing, which is removing the damaged section of your vinyl plank flooring and replacing it with new matching pieces of vinyl. That means there isn’t necessarily one method that’s inherently better than the other. Using glue and loose-lay flooring are both super simple. Just pick whatever you prefer. Although do be warned – the glue option can get a little messy. If you’re opposed to that, perhaps stay away from opting for glue. 

For those who don’t mind this, you’ll start fixing up your vinyl floor by cutting out an appropriate piece of vinyl to act as a replacement. This doesn’t have to be perfect. Just make sure it’s a little bigger than the piece that’s damaged. Then, carefully cut out what you’re looking to fix, place some foil on the spot, and heat it with a hairdryer to soften any leftover adhesive. 

Scrape this off, apply a healthy new layer of glue, and press down your replacement vinyl. Some extra adhesive seeping out? No worries. Wipe it off, lay something heavy down on the new vinyl to secure it, and leave it there to set for a while. Once it’s completely dry, your job is officially done, and your beloved vinyl plank floors are practically as good as new. And for the good folks set on not using glue? Do the same thing minus the sticky adhesive, simply securing the vinyl with a rubber mallet instead. 

I had vinyl plank flooring installed and after a year and a half of it laying there like a floor should, it started separating where each plank was butted against one another and then it began to buckle in other areas. I had the cement floor inspected for signs of water damage or a slab leak and neither were found. I had some planks pulled up and spare new ones installed and now it’s buckling in new areas. It’s a floating floor, but obviously something is wrong. Since the original installer wasn’t successful in fixing the problem, I’m still stuck with the buckling flooring. I guess I’m on my own and need to figure out a way to DIY. I’m ready to yank the planks up and just glue them down. However, other input on how or what to do, other then gluing it down, would be appreciated.

The luxurious look and cost-effectiveness of the vinyl plank floor have made it be the popular choice for many homes and an alternative to hardwood flooring. Nonetheless, it is also easy to install, clean, and maintain.

Regardless of how they are installed, vinyl plank flooring tends to buckle, whether it is loose lay, glue-down or click-together.

Your vinyl plank floor can buckle even after a few days of installing it due to several reasons that you might know nothing about the vinyl plank floor. Buckling is the cramping of the vinyl floor into ripples and the formation of gaps between the planks.

There are many reasons as to why your vinyl floor is buckling, and thus, it is worth understanding the causes to help you take the necessary precautions to stop it. They include;

5 Reasons Why Your Vinyl Plank Floor Buckling

Extreme Temperature Changes

Vinyl plank flooring is sensitive to extreme temperature changes as it causes it to expand and contract. Due to expansion and contraction, the planks will shift and buckle with time.

Buckling occurs as a result of lateral pressure generated when planks expand under extreme heat and thus lead to cramping.

Low temperatures or cold weather cause the planks to contract, causing gaps to form between the vinyl floors. Also, planks that are near direct sunlight, like those on a window, door, or sliding window, are more likely to buckle because they get more heat.

However, heat also weakens the bond between the planks and the glue, which eventually allows the plank to shift and buckle over time, as is commonly seen in vinyl plank floors with fiberglass inner layers.

Therefore, if you want to minimize heat-induced expansion, you should employ these tips. They include;

• Install UV Film or Glass Tint: To reduce the effects of sunlight or block the passage of UV light to a room, either install a UV film or glass tint on the windows, doors, and sliding windows.
• Hang Thermal Curtains: Alternatively, you may hang thermal curtains to limit flooring damage adjacent to the above-mentioned areas.
• Install Luxurious Vinyl Flooring: Despite being expensive, installing luxurious vinyl plank flooring which is more resistant to extreme temperature changes than inexpensive options.

Trapped Moisture Underneath the Planks

Moisture weakens the adhesive that binds the planks to the concrete floor, making the vinyl floor susceptible to moisture intrusion if the concrete floor has a moisture problem that allows moisture to seep through the floor.

Besides moisture seeping up, if the seams between the planks are not tightly sealed, the water or moisture will seep through.

Due to moisture, the planks will be separated, provoking the flooring to buckle. Spaces that are prone to buckle due to moisture include kitchens, bathrooms, and very high traffic areas.

To stop the buckling caused as a result of moisture seeping, the following tips will lessen moisture absorption;

• Install Waterproof Vinyl Flooring: It is ideal to install waterproof vinyl plank flooring in areas that tend to be damp or humid, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and high traffic areas.
• Install Moisture Barrier: As a precaution, it would be advisable to install a moisture barrier over the subfloor. This will prevent moisture from dripping through the planks when installed.
• Place a Dehumidifier: By installing a dehumidifier you can reduce the chance of moisture accumulating on the planks.
• Use High-Quality Adhesive: For prevention of moisture seeping through plank seams, use an adhesive that is both heat resistant and moisture resistant.

Not Providing Breathing Space

When installing the vinyl floor, flushing the planks to the wall can cause the planks to buckle because there is no breathing room for expansion and contraction.

Since there is no room for expansion when the planks expand, they will bend and lift to allow other planks to expand.

Therefore, do not install the vinyl floor flush or adjacent to the vertical wall. Instead, you should leave ½ or ¼ an inch perimeter around where you lay the planks so that there is room for the vinyl to breathe.

Moving/Dragging Over the Vinyl Plank Flooring

Loose-lay Vinyl plank flooring is well known due to its durability and straightforward installation process without adhesive.

However, poor maintenance can cause the vinyl floor to shift and buckle. For instance, dragging or moving heavy objects or furniture over and across the floor places too much pressure on the planks.

Because of too much weight, the heavy object will pull the planks apart, causing them to buckle while leaving ugly scratches on them.

For that reason, you can lessen the effects of heavy objects by;

• Lifting heavy items above the floor surface to avoid putting pressure on the planks.
• If you intend to move a heavy object, the place felt pads under it to protect your vinyl floor.

Using Low-Quality Adhesive

A low-quality adhesive cannot resist moisture or high temperatures for a long period.

Due to this, the planks buckle and come apart because the adhesive is not effective against moisture and heat. We strongly recommend using an adhesive that can withstand both high temperatures and moisture.

Nonetheless, when installing the planks, the adhesive should be used properly per the designated application and working time as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure a secure bond and achieve the best result.

The Unevenness of the Subfloor

Poorly leveled or uneven subfloor makes the planks appear bumpy on the floor, which increases the risk of hitting the plank seams.

Continuous hitting of the bumpy seams release the adhesive from the planks and thus leading to buckling. Before installing any type of vinyl plank flooring, ensure the subfloor is even so that the vinyl floor easily resonates with the subfloor evenness.

How to Fix Vinyl Plank Flooring Buckling?

Follow the steps below to help you stop or repair buckled vinyl plank flooring.

Step 1: Remove the Wall Molding

Undo the wall molding around the wall perimeter for you to easily reach and remove the planks that need to be replaced.

Step 2: Remove the Adjacent Planks

Remove the planks closest to the wall and continue removing the neighboring plank on that row until you arrive at the damaged plank.

Step 3: Remove the Damaged Plank

After taking out the damaged plank, install a new one and then lock it in place.

Step 4: Changing the Other Planks

Place back the old planks while moving towards the floor and make sure you lock the planks as initially.

Step 5: Put the Molding Back in Place

Reinstall the molding. You are done!

Unlike click-together or loose-lay, fixing buckling Glue-down vinyl plank is a straightforward process. That’s because it does not require you to remove planks from the wall towards the one that needs to be replaced.

Instead, you dislodge the damaged plank, remove the old adhesive, clean the surface and reinstall the plank.

Once the plank is reinstalled, roll over the buckling area with a heavy roller to facilitate adhesion and minimize the risk of buckling. Once this is complete, allow it to cure.

Tips to Prevent Vinyl Floors from Buckling

Follow these tips to prevent your vinyl flooring from buckling shortly:

• To prevent ground-water slippage and mold growth, use an effective moisture barrier during installation.
• Use premium adhesives and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when gluing down vinyl floors to ensure long-term durability.
• The vinyl planks need to be protected from direct sunlight striking them directly by using curtains, blinds, or tinting the windows.
• You must roll the floor, as this is needed to secure the flooring down, as well as to prevent buckling in the shortly. 

Maintenance Tips For Vinyl Plank Floors

Conclusion

Generally, adhering to the precaution and tips we have mentioned will help to minimize the buckling of your vinyl plank flooring before and after installing the vinyl plank flooring.

Read More on Vinyl Flooring