Can Water Damage Vinyl Planks?
Vinyl planks are a popular flooring material due to their water resistance. While a spill likely would not have a lasting effect on vinyl, prolonged exposure to water can cause considerable problems for property owners, including mold.
Water damage restoration after a flood is essential for preserving the integrity of vinyl plank flooring. However, the ability to reuse the material will depend on several factors.
How Water Damage Occurs in Vinyl Flooring
Though vinyl contains water-resistant properties on its surface, it is not impervious to moisture damage. However, a severe flood or prolonged exposure to moisture can cause water to seep under the planks through the joints that connect them or gaps between the wall and the floor. It is harder for water to penetrate a floating vinyl floor, but it isn’t impossible.
Water can also come from the subfloor or substrate. For example, moisture build-up in concrete can expose the planks to water from under their surface. A wood subfloor can retain moisture from a plumbing leak, flood, or crawl space humidity, which requires water damage restoration services.
Signs of Water Damage Under Vinyl Flooring
Discoloration
Because vinyl has water resistance, it is not easy to stain. Most fluids are simple to clean off the floor using a mop or clean rag. However, if the material develops discoloration or a tarnished appearance in one or more spots, the culprit could be moisture build-up under the planks.
Bubbles in the Planks
Sometimes, water damage in the substrate can cause vinyl planks to form bubbles or ripples along their surface. In severe cases, the damage is visible, but people are more likely to feel the bumps than see them.
Mold
Water damage often leads to mold, which only takes a day or two to grow into an unhealthy level.
Mold thrives in damp places, so the material is likely compromised if noticeable formations develop on vinyl flooring. In that case, water damage restoration and mold removal from leading mold remediation companies are a must because the growths can:
- Spread to other furniture, walls, personal belongings, and other surfaces
- Cause structural damage to the home or business
- Trigger health symptoms related to allergens.
Vinyl Planks and Water Damage Restoration
Working with emergency water restoration companies is essential for addressing moisture-damaged vinyl planks. These professionals have professional-grade equipment to dry out moisture, like dehumidifiers and vacuums. Restoration experts can reinstall undamaged vinyl planks after removing water from them and the subfloor.
Emergency Water Restoration Services from SERVPRO of West Fort Worth
SERVPRO of West Fort Worth is one of the best water restoration and mold remediation companies in the area, serving Azle, TX, and the greater Fort Worth area. The team of certified restoration professionals is available 24/7 to handle flooding, mold, and storm damage that could devastate a home or business.
As an industry leader, the residential and commercial cleaning service uses advanced restoration equipment and techniques for water cleanup. Contact Team Shaw of SERVPRO of West Fort Worth today at (817) 560-3086 to request water damage restoration services.
