Vinyl plank has been an excellent flooring option due to its effective durability, realistic look, and easy installation. However, its installation is terrible for users if implemented with a lack of experience and proper knowledge. If you have a DIY plan to install this flooring, avoid common mistakes for the best suitable results. PVC Vinyl Flooring has enlisted some common mistakes that must be avoided while installing vinyl flooring. In addition, we also described the best possible solutions to get rid of these flaws.
Most Common Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Vinyl Plank Flooring
The installation of planks requires precise knowledge and technical skills. For DIY projects, an individual can make some common mistakes if he lacks proper guidance. Before starting any DIY installation project, you must consider some technical aspects to prevent these mistakes.
- Leaving Your Baseboards Installed
- Not Sinking Fasteners
- Not Leveling The Subfloor
- Not Undercutting Trims & Door Jamb
- Gathering Fancy Tools
- Ending Plank Rows With Small Boards
- Ignoring Corners, Vents, Or Fixtures
- Laying Similar Patterns Together
- Not Following Manufacturer’s Recommendations
- Leaving Air Gaps Across A Seam
1- Leaving Your Baseboards Installed
While installing, some people prefer to leave baseboards installed. This is a wrong practice that can lead to height differences between upper and lower floors. Without removing baseboards, you can’t judge the exact height and expansion gap. Therefore, a worker must remove baseboards before installing these planks to make the installation journey much easier and flawless.
2- Not Sinking Fasteners
After removing the old flooring, you must consider the smoothness of the subfloor surface. Make sure that the subfloor has a flat and dent-free surface for the proper planks’ attachment. If the surface has a protruded fastener, it can unbalance or damage the flooring planks. Therefore remove any sort of fastener before laying vinyl planks.
3- Not Leveling The Subfloor
Some beginners do not check the level of individual planks while laying them on the floor. This mistake can waste your hard work and time due to poor installation. If you ignore this flaw, it leads to excessive gaps, dips, or humps between the boards. Therefore, always cross-check the level of all laying planks with a long bubble level.
4- Not Undercutting Trims & Door Jamb
Being a DIY worker, make sure that the transition strip fits under the door jamb and trim. You need to cut the plank pieces per the design and size of the door jamb and baseboards. Otherwise, you need to fill up the visible space between the plank and trim with caulk. This is not a good idea because it can affect the aesthetics of the floor surface.
5- Gathering Fancy Tools
Some beginners think that they need a variety of fancy tools for the installation of vinyl plank flooring. This concept is entirely wrong, you can complete your installation journey with simple yet necessary tools such as a utility knife, handsaw, and level. You can also consult with a professional or read the manufacturer’s instructions for choosing the necessary tools.
6- Ending Plank Rows With Small Boards
Most commonly, you see people ending plank rows with small boards and it ends up affecting the appearance of the floor surface. To avoid placing these tiny plank fragments at the end of the row, you need to modify a little bit of the laying pattern. If you’re installing 4’ planks then use 8” fragments at the start or end of the row to avoid this blunder.
7- Ignoring Corners, Vents, Or Fixtures
If you start your DIY installation process without planning for corners, vents, or fixture footprints, it will also lead to an improper floor layout. Before laying the planks on a subfloor, always consider the corners for proper design and layout of planks. Plan an extra length for vents, corners, or any fixtures on the subfloor.
8- Laying Similar Patterns Together
Laying similar patterns next to each other is also a common mistake that can be avoided with simple effort. Before laying the planks on the floor surface, draw a pattern on graph paper to follow. You can divide the whole area into eight heaps and consider each for a unique pattern.
9- Not Following Manufacturer’s Recommendations
The most common mistake usually made by workers while installing vinyl flooring is not following the manufacturer’s recommendation. For example, some manufacturers recommend the use of underlayment material while some craft planks with pre-attached underlayment. If you ignore this point, you can ultimately reduce the durability and performance of flooring.
10- Leaving Air Gaps Across A Seam
While working, if you leave air gaps across a seam, it will ultimately reduce the durability of your floor. You need to focus on planks cutting process, take accurate measurements of available space, and cut with a sharp tool precisely. In addition, you can also fill the gaps with concrete material or any heavy-duty compound for proper finishing.
Wrapping Up!
To wrap up this blog, we can say that installing vinyl plank flooring without making any common mistakes assures high durability and long-lasting results. DIY enthusiasts usually make some mistakes that must be avoided for perfection. PVC Vinyl Flooring has highlighted these flaws for your consideration. In addition, we have also mentioned the best possible solutions to overcome these mistakes and make your DIY journey smooth and easy.
