My mom recently had LVP flooring professionally installed, but after just six months, it's started to cup, warp, peak, and chip. Home Depot directed her to the manufacturer, who claimed the issue is due to high moisture content in her slab foundation. Considering the poor grading and heavy rainfall in our area, I agree with them. However, my mom isn't keen on tile, and we can't consider carpet because of pets and allergies. We're contemplating other LVP options or perhaps laminate, but the moisture makes that risky. The existing LVP has a membrane, and there are French drains outside. Is it worth installing a plywood subfloor? Given the potential costs of effective grading away from the house, what alternatives can we explore? She's already invested a lot, and I want to avoid further unnecessary expenses.
3 Answers
While grading would definitely help, I think you should also consider if your house has proper drainage. In Florida, we had LVP for years without issues, and gutters played a huge role in managing rainwater. Have you thought about adding gutters and maybe swales to channel the water away from the foundation?
It sounds like you've pinpointed the issue with the lack of grading around the house. Installing French drains might help alleviate some water pooling, but I would recommend consulting a flooring or foundation expert. They can offer guidance on the best steps to take without throwing money at ineffective solutions.
Absolutely! Getting a professional opinion can save you a lot of time and money. They might have cost-effective solutions you haven't considered.
I’d suggest removing the current LVP and moisture barrier, cleaning the slab thoroughly, and applying a high-quality concrete sealer, like DRYLOK. After that, reinstall a reliable waterproof LVP, like COREtec. Just keep in mind this is more of a band-aid solution since it doesn't fix the underlying moisture problem.
Good point! Just remember that this won't really resolve the moisture issue long-term. If your foundation stays damp, you'll keep facing problems, so long-term solutions are still necessary.
Yeah, no gutters right now, and I’m thinking of installing them. Swales sound like a good backup plan since grading could be really expensive.