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Follow These Tips For A Fool-Proof Vinyl Plank Flooring Installation
By DANIELA KLEIN
Remove Baseboards
Use a utility knife to separate any paint sealing the baseboard to your walls. This will ensure it doesn’t peel and damage the drywall when you pry off the boards.
Next, use a pry bar scraper or a putty knife to gently pull the baseboards away from the wall, then carefully remove any stray nails with a hammer, nail puller, or pair of pliers.
Section Any Carpet
If you need to remove wall-to-wall carpet, first cut it into sections that can be rolled up for easier handling and removal. Then, pull out any remaining staples.
Level The Subfloor
After removing your old flooring, patch any dips or bumps larger than 3/16 of an inch, and remove any leftover nails or screws to prevent the planks from warping.
Acclimate The Planks
The planks have to be acclimated to the humidity levels of your home for around 48 hours to prevent them from buckling or forming gaps after installation.
Unpack them or leave the boxes open for a faster acclimation time, and consider buying a moisture meter to test the planks before installation if you live in a high-humidity area.
Check Requirements
Before installing, check if the planks you bought require underlay and, if so, what type. Using the wrong kind could damage the flooring and void your warranty.