The success of your new flooring installation does not depend on the floor you see, but on the foundation you don’t.
A compromised subfloor, the structural layer beneath your hardwood or vinyl, will cause your new floors to fail. Installing over a bad subfloor voids warranties and guarantees a costly replacement.
Identify these five key warning signs before you invest in a new floor.
1. Persistent squeaking
A floor that constantly squeaks underfoot is not just an annoyance. It signals that the subfloor panels are loose, no longer properly secured to the floor joists, and are moving.
2. Spongy or bouncy sections
When you walk across the room, do you feel a “spongy” or “bouncy” sensation? This indicates the subfloor has lost its structural integrity. It may be flexing, compromised by moisture, or beginning to rot.
3. Buckling or warping planks
Visible humps, waves, or “buckling” in your current floor (often seen as pisos estufados) are rarely a problem with the floor itself. This is a critical sign that moisture from below is causing the subfloor to swell, expand, and push your flooring upward.
4. Expanding gaps between boards
If you notice new or widening gaps between your floorboards, the subfloor is likely shifting, sagging, or warping. An unstable foundation pulls planks apart, breaking seals and collecting debris.
5. Slopes, dips, and uneven surfaces
Your floor must be level. If chairs wobble in certain spots or a ball rolls to one side of the room, your subfloor is uneven. Laying rigid floors like vinyl plank or laminate on an uneven surface will cause the locking mechanisms to shift, click, and eventually break.
The problem: you cannot cover a faulty foundation
Do not install new flooring over any of these issues. Doing so will only trap moisture, transfer the instability, and lead to the rapid failure of your new investment. The problem will always reappear.
Your next step
If you notice these signs, your first call should not be for new floors, but for a professional inspection. Contact VIP Flooring Pro today. We are licensed and insured to diagnose the root cause of your flooring problems and provide the correct solution, starting from the subfloor up.
