Signs Of Moisture Under Vinyl Plank Flooring
Here are signs that indicate that water is underneath your vinyl floor:
Consider A Moisture Barrier
One of the main ways to prevent your vinyl plank flooring from growing any mold is by considering a moisture barrier. You can quickly get these at a fairly reasonable price, and some of the underlayment companies have warranties provided, so it would be more worthwhile investing in it to ensure better safety over your wood-looking floors.
There are many benefits as to why you should invest in one, which include:
- Prevents mold and odor: The main reason we recommend and underlay is that it prevents mold and odor. It can cause a lot of damage, as mentioned previously. It can also better eliminate the smell in your home.
- Protects pipes: When moisture gets in contact with the lines stored in your crawlspace, it can damage the pipes, causing them to break or burst. As learned, mold can form because of this. Having a moisture barrier, for this reason, is explicitly keeping those pipes dry, which increases their lifespan and saves you money in the long run.
- Pest control: If the floors are not sealed, it may cause unwanted rodents to enter your home, which in return, can be severe issues, such as chewing through the wires or health problems. Installing an underlayment closes off any crawl spaces, leading to better elimination of this issue.
How Does Mold Do Harm To Us
When you notice mold on your vinyl flooring, you must remove it as soon as possible with proper methods. Why? Because mold is a kind of bacteria that can rapidly develop and spread to other areas and even sub-floor.
Besides, mold can produce bad odors and many other bacteria in the air. People in the house may get ill for living with moldy exposure for a long time. There will be more health risks if you don’t clean the mold on time.
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Why Does Black Mold Grow On Floors
It can be tricky to find, as it can grow on subflooring and joists. This means it can grow under carpets, tiles and other types of flooring which can be difficult to spot. It requires a moist environment to grow and thrive, thus it will be in areas that experience moisture. This can include kitchens and bathrooms.
Since it grows from spores, once inside of your home, these spores gravitate toward these naturally damp areas. After they have established a favorable area to grow, it can then spread. Spores are tiny, airborne reproductive cells that mimic the function of seeds. If they are stirred up, they can travel to other areas.
What Causes Mold Under Vinyl Flooring
Mold beneath vinyl flooring may be caused by a significant water leak, like a broken pipe, or it may be caused by a smaller leak that goes on for a long time, like a leak under a sink or behind a toilet that goes unnoticed or is ignored for quite a while.
Flooding in your home may also cause mold to grown underneath flooring. You should always have your home tested for the presence of mold if it has been flooded, even if no mold is visible.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold Under Flooring
Related Articles
Mold – you can’t wish it away and you can’t really avoid it. However, you can get rid of it and keep it from coming back. There are more than 100,000 kinds of mold. In nature, they’re beneficial as those molds decompose biological matter that would otherwise drown the world in waste. When the mold spores drift inside your home, if the spores find a suitable, damp environment, they begin to grow. The result is more than distasteful – it can prove hazardous to your health. If it’s growing under your flooring, you need to fix the cause, kill and remove the mold, then replace the flooring.
Minimize The Number Of Plants In Your Indoor Space
While plants give our living spaces fresh air and keep them looking beautiful, they are also one of the things that mold feeds on, so ideally, plants should be put outside.
But if you insist on having some inside a room with vinyl flooring, make sure you are keeping only a few. It is also important to have stands or trays under the plants to prevent drips.
Avoid overwatering too, and check the soil and leaves regularly for mold. If you find mold, change the soil immediately or move the plant outdoors.
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Repair And Replace Damaged Subflooring
You may find that some subflooring needs repair or replacement. This adds more time and elbow grease to the job, but you know your subfloor should stay in good shape for years to come. Finish up by replacing the carpet, hardwood or vinyl, and congratulate yourself for taking care of a very big project.
Water Can Damage Vinyl Flooring
Water can damage the vinyl flooring if it gets under the floor. Thats because water will wash off the glue of the vinyl floor and cause the planks to lose their bond to the subfloor and come off. Water can also cause the vinyl floors to lift and separate, causing gaps in your flooring.
So, water wont damage the vinyl planks directly because vinyl planks are waterproof. Instead, it causes issues with the floor, such as lifting, buckling, and raised planks. So, water will affect the floor as a whole and not the planks.
Even if vinyl planks are exposed to water, the planks will remain in good condition since they are waterproof. But, the whole floor will start to lift or separate. The planks lift to accommodate water when water gets under the vinyl floor. Water can also cause mold to grow under the vinyl planks. So, removing water under the planks is important, even if it doesnt affect the vinyl planks.
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How To Clean Mold On The Surface Of Vinyl Flooring
Vinegar is a good household product to use for mold on vinyl flooring. You should only try to clean the mold if it is limited to a small area. Otherwise, install new flooring. Use one part vinegar and four parts of water. Use a scrub brush that has strong bristles. Dip the brush into the vinegar solution, and scrub the mold from the flooring. A toothbrush is good for getting into corners and tight spaces.
What Causes To Mold Grow Under Vinyl Plank Flooring
The fungus mold is found outdoors as well as inside buildings. The fungus starts in the natural environment but eventually makes its way into a home. It requires moisture, oxygen, and food for growth. However, it also requires darkness and warmth to grow. Vinyl plank flooring can become a food source for mold if exposed to moisture and oxygen.
Mold growth will be increased if there is constant moisture in a room. For instance, your bathroom typically has a lot of moisture because residents tend to shower here. When vinyl plank flooring is exposed to water more frequently, mold is more likely to grow.
Mold can also grow on vinyl plank flooring when the tiles are not properly installed. If the tiles are not properly fit within a space or gaps exist between the tiles, then the opportunity for mold growth increases.
Furthermore, standing water in a room can cause mold to grow over vinyl planks. The bottom line is that mold can grow under vinyl if the conditions are ripe.
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What Are The Signs Of Mold Growth Under Your Vinyl Flooring
Molds are tiny organisms that find refuge in dark and damp environments. You may notice signs that scream mold growth, but you have been ignoring them. Some common indicators of mold growth are as follows. Firstly, you must analyze the level of humidity, moisture, and exposure to sunlight on your property. If there is increased humidity, dampness, and no sunlight, there are chances of mold growth. Secondly, you might see tiny greenish-black spots on your floor in different patterns. Cleaning these spores may remove them temporarily, but the patterns will reappear soon after. This is another sign of mold presence.
Similarly, an earthy odor also shows mold growth on your property. If you do not have a sensitive respiratory system, come closer to the floor and sniff for the smell. Smelling earthy notes can indicate the mold presence. Another powerful symptom is the appearance of similar allergies and infections among the propertys residents. Whether it is your house, office, or commercial property, an increase in mold growth can appear in the form of deteriorating health. Many people might face symptoms, like nausea, headaches, sneezing, wheezing, coughing, redness of the eyes, allergies, sinusitis, bronchitis, and breathing difficulties. The impact is even higher on asthma patients and people with weaker immune systems. All these signs indicate that mold has been leaping on your indoor property.
Remove The Baseboard Trims Around The Vinyl Floor
First, remove the baseboard trim and the fittings around the vinyl floors using a chisel or metallic putty knife. Removing the baseboard trim allows you to access the vinyl floor and test the moisture levels underneath the floor without removing the planks.
To test the moisture levels, use a moisture meter. If the moisture meter displays a reading of more than 10%, it means there is too much water under the vinyl floor. In this case, you must take out a few planks to dry out the water. If the moisture level is less than 5%, use a dehumidifier or heater to dry the water .
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Wet Mops When And Where To Use Them
Once you have removed the major dust and dander from your floor, use water and a cleaning solution to go after the stubborn grime. You may find that your floors are so clean after vacuuming that attacking the few remaining dirty spots by hand is the most effective approach.
Remember, your goal is to reduce the amount of water applied to your floor as much as possible. Warm water paired with a dot of dish detergent on terrycloth is the worst enemy of sticky, icky spots when you add some elbow grease.
If you want to use a wet mop, a microfiber flip mop or spin mop are your safest options. Make sure to use a fresh cleaning pad, not the same one you used for dusting! Dont use a sponge mop with an abrasive scratch pad.
What cleaning product is safest for vinyl floors? A simple solution of one part white vinegar to five parts filtered water is effective and inexpensive.
You can also use a product designed for LVP flooring, but always rinse using a fresh mop head afterward, even if the product says no-rinse. The overuse of soap on your floors will quickly cause buildup that can trap abrasive dirt particles and cut down shine.
Safely Getting Rid Of Mold Under Linoleum Flooring
Certain types of materials, like linoleum, are susceptible to mold infestations. Linoleum is a very sturdy material, however, if it isnt regularly cleaned and sealed formations begin to take hold. Its important to clean and remove mold under linoleum flooring as soon as you notice it. Otherwise, infestations can cause serious health hazards for anyone living in the building.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold
Youve confirmed the presence of mold, now how to get rid of it. First, you need to determine the root cause of the problem. Does your basement frequently have standing water? Is your vinyl flooring cracked or peeling around the edges? These problems will need to be addressed right away.
You can remove the mold, but if you dont remedy the cause of the problem, the mold will continue to come back. Fix any issue that is allowing moisture to get under your flooring. This may be a job best suited for a professional as they know what to look for and where. They may see a problem somewhere that you did not.
Your next action steps will be dependent on what type of mold is present in your home, how much mold there is and whether or not the mold was determined to be toxic.
If you tested the mold yourself with a home test kit and it came back that the mold is a less toxic household mold, the process will probably not require as much work.
If your mold problem is more serious, you may need to consider removing the flooring completely and replacing it. Certain strands of black mold are highly toxic and cannot be removed with a simple mold killing spray. Spraying a serious case of black mold with mold solution will only mask the problem temporarily.
If you have a large scale mold under your your flooring, you will need to cut the flooring out and replace it. We recommend getting a free estimate on how much this will cost, by calling the number on our website.
Can Mold Under Flooring Be Dangerous
Whether the mold is under your flooring or on top of it, it is harmful to your health because it triggers asthma attacks and may irritate your sinuses. If you have a weak immune system or chronic lung disease, the mold may worsen your illness.
Since mold can cause health problems, it needs to be removed quickly.
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How To Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring
Luxury Vinyl Plank is one of the most durable flooring types on the market however it wont keep its good looks without your help. Loose dirt can scratch the coating on your tile, so its important to clean your floors frequently. Make a quick sweep part of your nightly clean-up routine to maximize the longevity of your floors. When you need your home to be truly spotless, heres how to safely deep clean LVP.
- Covered on this page
- Dos and Donts of LVP Care
How To Remove Mold From A Vinyl Floor
In order for mold to thrive, it must have oxygen, a food source, the correct temperature range and moisture. Remove these aspects from the environment, and the mold spores cannot reproduce. Some of these conditions will be out of your control, but by removing any one of them, mold will not be able to exist.
The best bet is to remove the moisture or the food source. Vinyl floors often have grooves, which provide a hiding spot for food sources, and mold spores can propagate from something as small as an abundance of dead cells.
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How To Clean Mold Under A Linoleum Floor
- Written by Chris Nickson on Apr 09, 2010To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by
Its not always easy to clean mold. However, the sooner you begin, the easier it will be to make sure it is effectively removed and doesnt return. When the mold is under linoleum, it can be very challenging to clean. You wont know its there until the problem has become severe. Also, how you try to remove it will depend on the surface under the linoleum.
1. Concrete Floor
If you have linoleum thats been laid on concrete, its somewhat easier to clean mold. You will need to take up all the linoleum to see the extent of the problem. You should discard all of the old linoleum and replace it with fresh coverings later.
Where the mold problem isnt too bad, you can pour vinegar on it and rub with a cloth. If the mold has set in deeply, youll need to use a scrub brush. Where mold has penetrated concrete, use a 10:1 solution of water to bleach with ¼ cup of trisodium phosphate added for every 2 gallons of water used.
2. Wood Floor
Rip up and discard the old linoleum and inspect the wood floor. If its in very bad shape , you might want to take out the floor and put in a new one. Make sure the subfloor is in good condition before doing this.
Finish Cleaning
How To Remove Mold On A Vinyl Flooring
Views: 47 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2021-06-07 Origin: Site
Many homeowners install vinyl flooring at home for its affordability, durability, and easy maintenance. However, mold can damage this type of flooring, causing the bad smell, and even damaging your house structure. Therefore, everyone needs to check and clean the vinyl flooring frequently.
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