There are few flooring materials that are as versatile or as commonly used as polyvinyl chloride – otherwise known as PVC or vinyl.
It is:
- Durable
- Water resistant
- Insulating
- Simple to install
- Can take on any kind of colour or pattern
But no building material is perfect, and with vinyl floors comes a particular problem called plasticiser migration, which can cause vinyl to badly stain, crack or warp.
As a base material, PVC is a very tough, strong, hard resin. In order to make sheets of flooring vinyl that are softer and more flexible, chemicals called plasticisers are added to the hard resin. However, these chemicals can give rise to problems, both with the adhesives that glue the vinyl to the floor, and with rubber products that may interact with the vinyl surface over time.
When vinyl is made, the resin and plasticiser are held together through electromotive forces as a solid solution. Over time, the plasticiser chemical in the vinyl migrates out and is absorbed into surrounding compounds, and rubber is of the most common materials that causesplasticiser migration.
Some examples:
- A rubber mat placed on a vinyl bathroom floor may eventually leave a yellowish stain where the mat was in contact with the vinyl surface.
- When the plasticiser migrates into the adhesive, breaking it down and rendering it ineffective.
Plasticiser migration can happen anywhere over time, but pressure, heat and moisture will speed up the process. This may result in:
- Severe staining
- Brittleness
- Cracking
- Bubbling – all of which can be avoided.
To avoid these issues when installing vinyl flooring, avoid rubber and latexbased glues – use a polyurethane or other non-reactive adhesive instead.
Preventing surface staining is also simple. Avoid using rubber products, such as mats or chair feet protectors on vinyl floors. With the right knowledge and a little care, your vinyl floor will remain in great condition for years to come.