Most LVT and sheet vinyl problems are caused by the floor underneath rather than the product. Lines or ridges showing through are board edges or bumps in the subfloor. Edges or tiles lifting usually point to moisture, a dusty or unsound base the adhesive could not grip, or strong sun and heat. Bubbles in sheet vinyl are trapped air or damp. Gaps between LVT planks tend to follow big swings in temperature. Because LVT shows every bump beneath it, the cure for most of these is the same thing that prevents them: proper preparation before the floor goes down.
Lines, ridges and bumps showing through
Glue-down LVT and sheet vinyl follow the surface beneath them closely. On floorboards, the edges of each board, nail heads and gaps gradually print through as lines. On concrete, old adhesive ridges and patches show as bumps.
This is why we usually lay a plywood overlay over boards and a self-levelling screed over uneven concrete before LVT. Once a floor has telegraphed, the only real fix is to lift it, prepare the base and refit.
Edges and tiles lifting
Moisture is the first suspect on a solid floor. Damp rising through concrete breaks the adhesive bond and lifts tiles or edges, often near external walls or in older homes. We take damp readings before fitting for exactly this reason.
A dusty, crumbly or painted base gives the adhesive nothing to hold. Heat is the other cause: strong sun through patio doors or conservatory glass can soften adhesive and make planks move.
A single lifted tile can often be re-bonded. Widespread lifting needs the cause found first, or the replacement will lift too.
Bubbles in sheet vinyl
Bubbles appear where air was trapped under the sheet during laying, where adhesive was uneven, or where moisture beneath is pushing up. Small air bubbles in a new floor sometimes settle. Bubbles that grow, or appear months later, usually mean damp.
Templating the room and rolling the sheet properly during fitting prevents most trapped air. Checking the floor for moisture first prevents the rest.
Gaps, dents and scratches
Gaps between planks typically follow large temperature changes, for example under floor-length windows or in a room left unheated for long periods. Letting the product settle in the room before fitting, and keeping direct heat under control, reduces it.
Dents come from point loads: narrow chair legs, heavy appliances or furniture dragged across the surface. Felt pads, castor cups and lifting rather than dragging prevent most of them. Quality cushioned vinyl is tough, but dragging heavy furniture across it is the biggest risk.
Fine scratches are grit acting like sandpaper. A good doormat and regular sweeping do more than any cleaning product. The wear layer on LVT decides how well it resists this over the years.
- Lines showing through: board edges or bumps beneath
- Lifting: damp, poor bond or strong heat
- Bubbles: trapped air or moisture
- Dents: point loads or dragged furniture
Fix it once, properly
If you have an LVT or vinyl floor with any of these faults, replacing it like for like without dealing with the cause usually repeats the problem. We look at the base, take moisture readings and explain what went wrong at a free site visit, then quote for the fix, whether that is a repair or a new floor on a properly prepared base.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are lines showing through my vinyl floor?
They are usually the edges of floorboards or bumps in the base printing through. A plywood overlay or levelling screed before fitting prevents it.
Why is my LVT lifting?
Most often damp coming through a solid floor, a dusty or unsound base the adhesive could not grip, or strong heat from sun through glass.
Will bubbles in new vinyl go away?
Small air bubbles sometimes settle. Bubbles that grow or appear later usually point to moisture underneath and need checking.
Can a single lifted LVT tile be repaired?
Often, yes, it can be re-bonded or replaced. If many tiles are lifting, the cause must be found first.
How do I stop dents in vinyl?
Use felt pads or castor cups under furniture and lift heavy items rather than dragging them.