Layered Flooring

9/28/2018 (Permalink)

There were multiple layers of flooring in this home that had a severe water damage. Normally ceramic tile can be saved when drying a home, for the simple fact that it is a natural stone. We have extraction mats that lay over the stone and they remove any harbored water within and the wood subfloor beneath, since wood is also a natural material and will release water. Unfortunately, when this home was remodeled, they laid ceramic tile over top of vinyl flooring. Vinyl acts as a vapor barrier and will hold water between the ceramic tile and the subfloor. Since this layer existed, all of the tile had to be removed and the vinyl also had to be removed in order to dry the subfloor properly. Multiple layers of flooring like this can cause mold growth since it traps water within the layers. So when you remodel your home, remember it is worth the extra time to take out the old flooring first instead of laying over top.