Moisture and water vapor are commonly found on many surfaces across this planet, but when it comes to building applications, these liquids and vapors can cause several problems. Excess moisture in your home can lead to problems such as soggy walls, squishy carpets, compromised foundations, and more. When it comes to keeping your new laminate flooring system safe from moisture, there are three main sources to watch out for.
Of the three sources of moisture to look out for, Eco Cork Foam is here to deliver ideal protection from subfloor complications. Our laminate underlayment is designed to be the best in the industry, relying on outstanding results from third-party tests to prove how supportive and cost-effective our product can be.
Moisture Concerns
Being comprised of wood fiberboard, laminate flooring is susceptible to permanent damage if it comes into contact with water for a considerable amount of time. When the proper precautions are taken, however, it can deliver long last performance.
Ambient Air Conditions
Planning on installing your laminate flooring in moist conditions? It is highly recommended to keep an eye on the environmental conditions of the room you are working in, as this flooring material is susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity. Placing laminate flooring in a room with high moisture content in the air can begin to saturate the material, resulting in future buckling and swelling.
Spills and Floods
The top wear layer on your laminate flooring is designed to provide a strong defense against a range of scratches, scrapes, gouges, and more, and when it comes to spills and stains, this layer also delivers some protection. It’s important to keep in mind that untouched spills can allow the liquid to penetrate the seams of your planks, impacting the interior layers and resulting in many problems. Even a simple cleanup with a mop can result in serious issues, as high amounts of water can infiltrate some entry points. (Always refer to the cleaning instructions from the manufacturer of the flooring.)
Laminate flooring comes in “water-resistant” options, but bear in mind that these products still come with a warning about H2O exposure. It’s important to keep your floors safe from any direct impacts from liquids, including leaking appliances, messy pets, and more. Small steps (a plastic tray for a dog’s water bowl, for example) can do much to keep your laminate dry and strong for years to come!
Subfloor Saturation
The moisture content of your subfloor can play a large role in the ultimate quality of your laminate floors. Many DIYers know that you can measure the moisture of your subfloor using the calcium chloride test. Installing flooring over a concrete subfloor means that moisture is most likely present and can migrate upward and into the base of your flooring material. Instead of risking an unseen problem from beneath, be sure to take it on with a quality laminate underlayment that includes the highest level of moisture protection.
Eco Cork Foam is here to provide 360 degrees of waterproof protection for your floor system. ECF is the only underlayment on the market that has a built-in 6 mil vapor barrier, which is what is required in almost all cases for installation on concrete subfloors. We have tailored our product to be the best underlayment for laminate, engineered wood, solid wood and vinyl flooring (5mm or thick vinyl in residential applications).
Try Today!
Don’t risk having to pull up and replace flooring that is damaged from high levels of moisture. Our polyethylene and granulated cork floor underlayment provides a wide range of features, and is the most cost-effective, all-in-one, product available in the market today. Contact us online or by calling 855-810-8922 to learn more, and be sure to buy a roll from your local Home Depot to see the quality for yourself!
