09/01/2026
“But I thought vinyl plank was waterproof?” 💧
We hear this all the time — and this is why I always tell customers:
Vinyl plank is only as waterproof as the floor underneath it.
This bathroom is in a rental property where water was getting underneath the vinyl plank and went unreported for quite some time.
The vinyl itself may be waterproof, but that doesn’t mean the entire flooring system — or your home — is waterproof.
Water can travel underneath floating vinyl plank, where you may not see it. In this case, it damaged the plywood subfloor and continued down into the ceiling below. Take a look at that ceiling. 😳
Waterproof flooring does not mean waterproof installation.
Bathrooms especially need to be watched for leaks around toilets, tubs, showers and plumbing. If you notice water where it shouldn’t be, a soft spot, movement, discoloration, or anything that just doesn’t seem right — don’t ignore it.
Catching a leak early can mean the difference between a relatively simple repair and replacing flooring, subflooring, drywall and more.
Carpet & Tile by the Mile
Almost 30 years of flooring experience — and we’ve seen what water can do.