LVT floor question

[akpolaris]

I just installed approx 350 sq ft of LVT in an efficiency apartment. It is a floating floor with spacers supposed to be installed at the walls. In some areas I needed to nail it down to get a solid lock of the pieces as I butted them up to each other. Due to some sloppy outside perimeters I wasn't able to get stable spacers installed. What if any problems should i look for due to the nails being used

 

[blue-5]

Was the floor uneven? Why the nails?

 

[akpolaris]

Was the floor uneven? Why the nails?

1 area was a doorway. Every time I tried to seat the **** ends they shifted or pushed away from connecting. The was a long wall that did the same thing. There I couldn't get spacers to seat due to the uneven decking where it met the sill plate. so I used some nails to secure the receiving piece of flooring allowing that initial run to receive the 2nd run

 

[akpolaris]

No body has any insite into long term effects of nailing an LVT floor?

 

[Rusted Nut]

It will probably split or warp, they are design to float.

 

[paulsomlo]

I think it depends on the distance between the nail and the closest constrained edge or the distance between the nails. If it's vinyl throughout (no wood), It'll pull at the nails as it expands and contracts with temperature. Running some numbers says it shouldn't move more than maybe an 1/8" over a 10 foot span and a 30 deg F temp difference. That's not accounting for any movement associated with moisture, but I don't know if that product is sensitive to that. I wouldn't think that you have anything to worry about.

 

[duneslider]

Frankly, it doesn't depend. The manufacturer says NOT to do it, there is a reason for that. It very likely will have issues but you've already done it so leave it and and wait and see. Hang on to some extra stuff in case you need to repair it later.

 

[rlitman]

No body has any insite into long term effects of nailing an LVT floor?

It depends on the floor itself, and the size of the room. Vinyl will expand and contract with changes in temperature, so it is usually recommended to allow it to float, however some manufacturers actually allow glue down installations. Read the fine print of the manual. And next time, don't use nails, or if you must, nail through a drilled oversized hole to allow for some movement while you hold the floor down.

 

[The Cobbler]

this is one more reason to add my list of " Why I like glue down LVT better than click"

 

[duneslider]

this is one more reason to add my list of " Why I like glue down LVT better than click"

There are all sorts of issues that can happen with glue down too. Nothing wrong with either option when you follow manufacturer guidelines.