Installing SPC floors seems easy, but even small mistakes can lead to problems such as deformations, heaving and even complete damage to the flooring. In this article, we will look at the 5 most common mistakes that lead to complaints, and show you how to avoid them for a perfect and long-lasting floor!
If you are an installer, these rules will guarantee you a perfect installation and satisfied customers!
1. Neglecting acclimatization
Problem: The panels shrink or expand after installation, which causes deformations.
Solution: Leave them in the room for 24-48 hours at a temperature of 18-30°C, if they were transported below +5°C, extend the acclimatization time to 48 hours.
Important: The panels must be acclimatized in a horizontal position to avoid bending. Turn off the underfloor heating system (if any) 24 hours before installation
2. Installation on an uneven or unprepared base
Problem: The panels do not lock properly, the floor moves and sinks.
Solution:
• Even base: Tolerances – up to 1 mm per 20 cm or 2 mm per 1 m.
• Clean base: Vacuum thoroughly.
• Moisture control: Cement screed – below 2.0% moisture. Anhydrite screed – below 1.5% moisture. With underfloor heating – even lower values: 1.5% and 0.3%.
Mistake: Installation on unsuitable flooring such as carpets – SPC flooring requires a stable base!
Vinyl flooring requires an extremely flat floor. The type of substrate, its quality and preparation, especially any unevenness, have a decisive impact on the final result. The panels are suitable for installation on cement and anhydrite floors, self-leveling (self-leveling) screeds and other flat floors. Laying vinyl panels in a floating system does not require sophisticated equipment, such as when laying tiles, or any special skills. But to do it right and enjoy a beautiful floor for years, we need to start with solid floor preparation. Let's check if the floor is flat - or we can level out the unevenness with a self-leveling screed. If we intend to lay vinyl panels on tiles, we need to fill the joints. A well-prepared base must be clean, stable, flat and dry. The maximum deviations are specified each time by the manufacturer.
3. Using the wrong or missing underlay
Problem: The floor becomes unstable, the click is unprotected and the warranty is void.
Solution:
• Use the right underlay - Multiprotec Vinyl or Secura Vinyl Click.
• Place the underlay perpendicular to the floor plan.
• Secure it well – connect the joints with Arbiton aluminum tape for maximum stability.
• With underfloor heating – choose an underlay with low thermal resistance.
Did you know? SPC floor without underlay or with the wrong underlay = shorter life and noisy floor!
Installing vinyl panels in a floating floor system is similar to installing laminate panels. It starts with choosing the right underlay, selected in accordance with the requirements of the floor manufacturer. You should always read the floor installation instructions to make sure that the warranty conditions will be met. We install vinyl click flooring – the right choice of underlay. Although we are laying the floor on an existing floor, we should not forget about the underlay for vinyl panels. This will provide, above all, a more stable surface. It will also reduce noise in the room and protect our vinyl panels from damage. The locks are a particularly vulnerable part of the planks, which, if not secured with a suitable underlay, can suffer micro-damage over time, which will affect the quality of use of the entire floor. So let's remember that the underlay is the foundation of a beautiful and durable vinyl floor.
4. If the panel does not click easily – do not press, but check what is wrong!
Problem: Incorrectly joined panels lead to displacement and damage to the grooves.
Solution: What is the correct technique for 5G Välinge!
1. First the long side – place the panel at a slight angle and slide it into the groove.
2. Then the short side – press slightly from the corner towards you.
3. Do not use excessive force! If the groove does not close easily, do not press! Check for debris and correct the angle.
If the groove does not close easily, do not press!
Check for debris and adjust the angle. Depending on the type of vinyl panel, there are different click systems. From the modern 5G lock, in which SPC panels are connected by sliding the board with the long side into the lock profile and lowering the board connecting the short side. When two panels are properly connected, we will hear the characteristic “click” sound. The 2G locks, proven over the years, are also very good. They are installed at an angle on both the short and long sides. The connection in this type of lock is mechanical, the contour elements engage to create a durable, secure connection that protects against forces acting in all directions. Assembly does not require any tools and you do not need to hit the locks with a hammer. But most importantly, the use of such a lock also allows us to disassemble a fragment of the floor without the risk of damaging the locks. Which leads to less waste during assembly.
5. Forgetting about expansion joints
Problem: The floor rises because there is not enough room for natural expansion.
Solution:
• Leave a 5 mm expansion joint on the walls.
• If the area is over 200 m² or 20 m long, leave a 10 mm joint.
• In transitions between rooms – a 5 mm expansion joint, especially with underfloor heating.
Tip: For built-in pipes, leave 15 mm of free space around them.
Conclusion
Avoiding these 5 mistakes will help you install an SPC floor that will last for years without deformations and complaints.
Follow the recommendations for acclimatization, base preparation, the right underlay, the correct clicking technique and expansion joints!
Detailed installation instructions can be found on the pages of each vinyl flooring model>>
If you found this article useful, share it with colleagues and friends who are involved in flooring installation!