Vinyl Plank Flooring has now become very popular among new house owners. This luxurious-looking wood alternative has the power to change the whole vibe of your new house. Since the installation is not a big deal and a little change now and then keeps the house and the people residing lively, Vinyl Plank Flooring has become an easy choice nowadays. Moreover, installing Vinyl Plank Flooring is not a daunting task at all. One must make sure to avoid a few common mistakes and then you are all set to do it yourself.
The common mistakes that new installers commonly make are:-
Uneven Subfloor :-
The first and the most common mistakes that the new installers make is not paying much attention to the subfloor. A flat, clean, and even surface is the most important part before installing Vinyl Plank. Make sure there are not any fasteners or nails sticking out of the floor. If there is any, remove it or hammer it down. In case it isn’t working, take them out with the help of a tool. Avoid this mistake otherwise, it might damage the Vinyl Plank that will be installed.
Keeping baseboards intact:-
Keeping baseboards installed can make the look of the flooring uneven. However the removal of baseboards or not is more about personal choice of installers. Installers can keep the baseboards intact as it will make the work a lot easier. To hide the gap between the floor of the upper and lower end and expansion gap you will need a thick quarter round. If you are planning on removing baseboards use a trim pull tool.
Not leveling the subfloor:-
Uneven or not leveled subfloor might create a gap between the Vinyl Plank. Up and down surface on some particular parts of the floor should be rectified initially. Otherwise if planks are installed on a not leveled floor then Vinyl planks won’t look even leaving gaps between each other. Moreover it will lead to clicking while walking. To check if the floor is evenly leveled or not you can use a long bubble level to find any hump or dips. If there are any, fix the uneven surface before placing your Vinyl planks.
4. No underlayment:-
Not providing an underlayment or moist barrier can make flooring imperfect. For a comfortable underfoot experience and walking on planks sound proof, underlayment is a smart choice. However, this is also optional. Installers may avoid this step for an easy installation. Moreover, it should be kept in mind that underlayment performs as a barrier between plank and subfloor. Due to this moist barrier, Vinyl planks are kept protected from the dampness of the floor. In case, If you are planning on installing peel and stick Vinyl planks then underlayment won’t work. Research thoroughly or ask your supplier before installing if there is a necessity of underlayment and moisture barrier.
5. Not measuring floor correctly:-
Not measuring your room properly before installing can make installation work more messed up. Ordering Vinyl planks without measuring floor will result in ordering more quantity or less quantity. To avoid such mistakes and not make installation work problematic, measure carefully before ordering Vinyl planks. Now measuring can be a bit difficult if your room is not perfectly rectangular or square. If your room is oddly shaped, you can make some sections before measuring then adding them up. You can also make a rough sketch of your room on graph paper. Thus by making little measurements you can order your desired quantity of Vinyl planks.
6. Not using right equipment:-
Installation of vinyl plank flooring requires some basic tools that can make your work much easier. Not having the right tool on hand during installation can make your work more frustrating and time consuming. Thus make sure to bring all the important equipment on hand before starting your DIY installation. Tough Vinyl plank installation doesn’t require many tools yet some of the important ones are:- measuring tape, a straight edge, a knife or cutters, adhesive, a rubber mallet and a tapping block. Moreover, try to borrow or buy a chop saw while trimming.
7. Excess usage of Adhesive:-
While installing Vinyl planks which require glue to stick, adhesive is an important tool at that time. Using too much adhesive can make your work double if the adhesive comes out making the gaps between the planks look messier. On the other hand if you use less adhesive, the planks might not stick properly to the floor. So make sure to use a trowel as recommended in the adhesive packaging or by your instructor or supplier.
8. Not acclimating Vinyl flooring:-
Installation of flooring planks as soon as arrives might not be a very smart move. This will cause future problems that won’t be rectified easily. Make sure to acclimate your flooring for 24-48 hours before starting your flooring work. Installation of floor before acclimating can make bucking or gapping of floor. Thus, thus is an essential step to follow.
Conclusion
These 8 common mistakes are made by new installers most of the time. Thus before starting installation work make sure to keep in mind all the advice provided in the article. Having all the important tools on hand, focusing on even subfloor, measuring the room carefully etc given steps need to be followed for a smooth installation experience.