Waterproof
vs Water-
Resistant Flooring
One of the most beneficial aspects of newer hard surface flooring is it’s ability to stand up against water damage. Over the years, the type of flooring being purchased for homes has greatly shifted and evolved. Years ago, the traditional hard surface choice for residential homes was solid hardwood or sheet vinyl. You could find this in most homes. From here, more options have become available to fill the ever-changing needs of consumers. Engineered Hardwood, laminate, tile and vinyl plank have risen in popularity. At first, Engineered hardwood and laminate did not come in water proof or water resistant options, due to the makeup of their core, so many people opted to purchase vinyl plank for added protection. As trends have changed, more and more vendors started to offer waterproof and water-resistant options in both these categories. Water proof and water-resistant flooring options are a great sell for residential homes owner and vendors have noticed. For this reason, it is very important for you to take the time to research your preferred flooring option and confirm whether it is categorized as water proof or water-resistant. What’s the difference? Below, you can find some tips on how to decipher between the two, and what to consider when making a decision.
Water Proof
Waterproof flooring is flooring that works to keep water from seeping through the top layers and reach the core or subfloor. Typically, products that are labeled 100% waterproof refers to a product that has no wood products or fillers in the core. These are the elements that typically swell when they come into contact with water. This is what leads to damage in your flooring. Products that are made with a wood core, or wood from layers of wood particle are not great options for areas that are prone to moisture issues.
Water Resistant
Water resistant flooring is made to resist water penetration to some degree. However, they are not made of entirely waterproof materials. Essentially, water-resistant products are made with joints that are meant to click together strongly enough to keep water from seeping in and reaching the core of the material. The core may still contain wood products or fillers which are still susceptible to water damage. Water-resistant products focus on keep water away from the core as opposed to being made with a core that can stand up to water penetration.
Additional Information: waterproof flooring and water-resistant flooring reacts differently to spills and leaks, it important to carefully consider the area of application as well as potential issues that can arise. In addition, being able to recognize damage and understand how to address, can make all the difference when it comes to keep your floors looking great for many years. Below, are situations to look out for as well as explanations on how each situation can affect your flooring depending on whether it is water-resistant or waterproof.
Spilling Water
Waterproof: Spilling water or other liquids on your flooring is normal and it bound to happen at some point. It is important to be prepared for how your flooring will react to the spill so you can address it appropriately. Waterproof flooring will keep the water from penetrating the flooring from above and will sit until it is cleaned up or it evaporates. This means you have time to address the problem before it becomes worse or creates other issues.
Water-Resistant: Water that is spilled on water-resistant flooring will still not penetrate immediately, but there are more time constraints. The longer the liquid sits on your water-resistant flooring, the more chance it has to seep through to the core of the flooring and cause damage. Spills should be cleaned as soon as possible.
Continuous Leaks
- Waterproof: Leaks have the potential to create huge issues with your flooring. Leaks under your sink, in your laundry areas or flooding from your dishwasher can lead to permanent damage if you don’t have the right flooring. In this case, the different between waterproof and water-resistant flooring becomes much more apparent. As we discussed previously, whether your flooring stands up against lasting water damage will depend on whether you selected a waterproof or water-resistant product. Waterproof flooring does not contain any wood or wood fillers, so leaks and floods will not damage the product. It is important that you still take steps to care for your flooring when a leak or flood occurs. If your waterproof flooring is exposed to a leak or flooring, it is important that the water gets cleaned up as soon as possible. If the water has made it to the subfloor, you can carefully remove your flooring by sliding the boards apart at the joints, letting both the subfloor (if concrete) and the planks dry out completely and then re-install. If your subfloor is wood, you may also have to replace and damaged areas before re-installing. This is one of the biggest advantages of choosing a waterproof floor over a water-resistant flooring.
- Water-Resistant: If you experience a leak or flooring on your water-resistant flooring, it extremely important that you address it as quickly as possible. Water that reached the core of the flooring can cause it to swell and leave damage that cannot be fixed. If you catch the leak or flooding quickly, you can pull up your flooring carefully, and clean up as much of the spill as possible and check the flooring for any damage. Allow the plank to dry out completely and re-install any boards that have not sustained damage. This process much be completed much quicker with water-resistant flooring than with waterproof flooring because it is still susceptible to water damage.
Protecting Your Floors
Whether you select a waterproof or water-resistant flooring, there are still additional steps you can take to try to avoid water damage:
- Use a moisture barrier: Waterproof flooring comes with an acoustic, antimicrobial backing attached. This backing it added to help with sound, moisture and add additional cushion, but this kind of flooring can still benefit from additional moisture control. Installing a plastic moisture barrier will simply add an additional layer of protecting for your flooring. Although it is not always required for your warranty on a waterproof flooring, is it important to take time to consider if it’s a good idea for your installation. Water-resistant floors almost always require additional moisture barrier. Take time to read your warranty and installation guidelines to help you make the best choice for your application.
- Check Moisture levels: whether your select a water-resistant or waterproof flooring, checking moisture levels prior to installation is always a good step to take. Make sure subfloor lands within the outlined moisture levels in your installation guidelines prior to install.
- Check for leaks: Take the time to check for any ongoing or potential leaks in your installation area. Check faucets, showers, washer, and dishwasher for any damage or potential issues and address before you install.
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