How to Protect Vinyl and Hardwood Flooring From Moisture

Moisture can cause significant damage to your flooring that reduces the quality and limits the life of your Binghamton hardwood flooring or Binghamton vinyl floor. In a high-humidity region like Binghamton, it's especially important to take the proper precautions to prevent your flooring's exposure to moisture and enjoy a better condition and better aesthetic appeal for longer. Although some of the precautions you will have to take involve a little extra time and a small price, the value it brings to your flooring and your home overall is always well worth it.

Binghamton Wood Flooring:

Install a Moisture Vapor Protection Membrane

Moisture protection membranes protect your flooring from the core and are used to shield the adhesive of the flooring, prevent antimicrobial growth, and provide better sound reduction. They are an effective solution for preventing moisture damage to your Binghamton wood flooring where you would most likely be unable to detect it right away. When the core of your floor is protected, you can count on longer term use of your flooring and better quality overall. This also takes some of the burden off of you in keeping up with moisture reduction on the visible areas of your flooring.

Add a Protective Coating Over Your Binghamton Hardwood Flooring

The best way to protect your Binghamton hardwood flooring from moisture damage is to coat it with a water-resistant chemical such as urethane, polyurethane, or acrylic. This will prevent damage from occurring to the floor after immediate contact with moisture; however, it's important to always thoroughly clean the floor to ensure that the coating maintains its protective qualities. If snow and rain is tracked into the home or if a spill occurs, make sure to wipe the Binghamton wood flooring completely and always use a vacuum to ensure that no residual moisture is left over.

Binghamton Vinyl Floor:

Purchase Vinyl Adhesives

When you purchase vinyl adhesives, make sure to choose one with a built-in sealant to ensure compatibility with the flooring and reduced mold growth. Since Binghamton vinyl floor is typically installed over concrete, you will want to make sure that the concrete is not damp before applying the adhesive and installing the vinyl. To ensure that your vinyl flooring is protected from moisture in the most effective way possible, it is usually better to tear up the existing floor rather than installing the vinyl over it.

Seal Moisture Out From Other Areas of the Home

Make sure that the adjacent fixtures in your home are also properly installed to prevent leaks that may damage your Binghamton vinyl floor. Pay extra special attention to the toilet, since this is normally where leaks and vapor can occur and cause moisture damage to your flooring. Many people assume the moisture damage comes from the wax sealant under the toilet, when the reality is that most moisture damage comes from vapor emissions from the pipes. You can reduce vapor emissions by applying a strong, yet flexible silicone sealant around the herkle ring on the pipes coming from the toilet.

No matter what type of flooring you have in your home, one of the best ways you can prevent moisture build-up is by keeping a steady airflow in your home. This can either be through keeping the windows open or keeping the heat/ AC unit on to evaporate any lingering moisture or vapor that could threaten the quality of your flooring. Furthermore, homeowners should take extra precautions to keep their flooring clean and use the vacuum on all surfaces-- not just carpeting.