We recently completed the testing and evaluation of sheet vinyl samples that were submitted to us because they had discolorations visible on the surface through the vinyl wear layer. The blotchy discolorations were both purple- predominantly and to a lesser degree pink. The sheet vinyl affected was installed on grade over concrete in a facility built over a reclaimed swamp. This condition appeared about 9 months after the material was installed and it was in both occupied and unoccupied units of this multi-unit building.
The substrate was tested prior to installation and indications were that the moisture levels were safe to install over. The industry standard for moisture vapor emission is between three and five pounds, depending on the material being installed and the manufacturers’ recommendations. In this case the results were between four and five pounds and within the limits of the product being installed. There was nothing visibly evident on the substrate prior to installation that would or could have migrated through the backing of the vinyl and no writing was done on the backing of the material either. If there is a contaminant on the substrate, be it a wood type or concrete substrate, marking or writing on that substrate may migrate into the vinyl flooring material causing discoloration. This was not the case here. There was also a concern that the discoloration came from the top down and in fact if work was done on or over the sheet vinyl this could happen.
When the material was pulled up a musty odor could be smelled, the glue, which dries hard, was sticky and the substrate was actually damp. There is no question that moisture was migrating from the slab and affected the material. Moisture will also instigate the growth of mold or mildew which can then discolor the sheet vinyl. Magnification under high power yielded the discoloration in the cushion layer beneath the wear layer. None of the material installed on floors above grade had any discoloration problems. Based on this it is clearly evident that moisture from the substrate is the issue causing the problem in this case. All the affected material will have to be removed, the substrate fixed and the flooring material replaced.
Before you install sheet vinyl in any location make sure you know the manufacturers installation guidelines and instructions, the conditions under which the floor can and cannot be installed and what the substrate conditions have to be to obtain a successful installation. Even with all of that there is no guarantee that a problem cannot occur if conditions tested for or not, challenge the installation or the material. It is better to be safe rather than sorry, when so much can happen and claiming ignorance will not necessarily prevent you from having responsibility. In fact, as the flooring expert you are perceived as being, you are going to have supply answers if it is not something you did then what is it, how did it happen and what can be done about it. These are questions we can help you answer. We can also help keep you out of trouble before you start so don’t hesitate to call. There’s no charge to ask questions and if we don’t have the answer we can get it for you.
By the way, we have an LGM Carpet Seminar scheduled for April 2, 3 & 4 inDalton,Georgiabetter than ever and the only thing of its kind in the industry – without question. Contact us to register at 706-370-5888 or at lgmtcs@optilink.us. Fee is $695.00 and if you’re a WFCA member you can get tuition assistance.
Author: Lewis G. Migliore
LGM and Associates – The Floorcovering Experts