Luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP) has quickly become a massive favorite for homeowners. It looks stunning, handles heavy foot traffic well, and stands up nicely to everyday wear and tear. But what happens when those beautiful planks start lifting or separating?
If you’ve noticed gaps opening up in your floors, you are definitely not alone. In fact, it is one of the most common questions professionals get asked every single day. And honestly, it is not something you should ignore, because small gaps have a bad habit of turning into bigger problems fast.
Let’s dive into why your luxury vinyl flooring might be coming apart and what you can actually do about it.
What LVP Is Actually Designed to Do
LVP is manufactured to click tightly together and float smoothly over your subfloor. It handles moisture, scratches, and busy family life like a champ—but only when the baseline conditions are right. If those conditions slip, the click-lock system can fail, leading to shifting and separation.
5 Common Reasons Your LVP Is Coming Apart
1. Moisture Problems Underneath
Even though a luxury vinyl plank is water-resistant on top, your subfloor might be telling a different story. If moisture sneaks in from beneath—such as from a damp concrete slab or a minor subfloor leak—it can cause the materials to swell or warp, loosening the locking seams and creating gaps.
2. Uneven or Poorly Prepared Subfloors
Before any LVP goes down, the subfloor needs to be completely dry, clean, and level. If there are hidden dips or bumps, the planks won’t lay flat. Over time, foot traffic over these uneven spots will stress the joints, pushing planks apart or causing edges to lift.
3. Bad Installation Practices
Installation isn’t just about snapping pieces together; it requires precision. Installers must leave proper expansion gaps around the room’s perimeter. If planks are jammed tightly against walls without room to breathe, they have nowhere to go when they expand, which causes buckling or separation.
4. Extreme Temperature and Humidity Swings
Like most flooring materials, LVP naturally expands and contracts when temperatures shift. If a room isn’t properly climate-controlled (like a sunroom, garage conversion, or unconditioned basement) or if the planks weren’t given time to acclimate before installation, the shifting can result in stubborn gaps.
5. Heavy Furniture and Rough Wear
Dragging heavy furniture or appliances across your floors can strain and fracture the click-lock edges. Constant pressure in high-traffic zones can also wear down lower-quality materials faster.
What NOT to Do If Your Floors Separate
When you see a gap, it’s easy to panic and grab a quick fix from the garage. But avoid these common mistakes:
- Don’t try to glue down floating planks haphazardly.
- Don’t rip up and try resetting rows without understanding the locking mechanism.
- Don’t ignore it—tiny gaps collect dirt, moisture, and expand quickly.
Instead, consult a professional who can diagnose the root cause. If you want expert guidance or need top-tier materials, you can always explore resources like Royal Flooring for professional insights.
How to Fix It the Right Way
Depending on what caused the separation, a proper fix might involve:
- Re-leveling problematic sections of the subfloor.
- Replacing severely damaged individual planks.
- Re-securing or re-installing sections with the correct expansion spacing and alignment.
Simple Ways to Prevent Future Issues
Prevention is always easier than a teardown. Keep these tips in mind for long-lasting floors:
- Hire Professionals: Work with experienced installers right from day one.
- Check for Moisture: Always use proper vapor barriers if you are installing over concrete or below grade.
- Control Your Climate: Maintain steady indoor temperatures and humidity levels year-round.
- Let Them Breathe: Always acclimate your flooring boxes in the installation room before laying them down.
- Protect Your Surfaces: Use furniture pads under heavy pieces, and avoid dragging appliances across the room.
