Resilient Flooring
CSI Division 09, Finishes
Non-textile, non-masonry floor coverings that stay somewhat flexible underfoot, vinyl composition tile (VCT), luxury vinyl tile or plank (LVT and LVP), rubber, and linoleum among the common types, each with different durability, moisture tolerance, and maintenance requirements, distinct from carpet or hard tile.
Why it matters
Resilient flooring's performance depends heavily on the subfloor's moisture condition, installing it over a concrete slab that hasn't cured long enough or hasn't been tested for moisture emission can cause the adhesive to fail and the flooring to bubble or delaminate within months.
On a real project
A flooring contractor tests a new concrete slab's moisture emission rate before installing VCT, confirming it falls within the flooring manufacturer's specified limit rather than assuming the slab is dry enough simply because it looks and feels dry to the touch.
Who this matters most to
A specialty flooring installer places resilient flooring, testing subfloor moisture before starting. A QA/QC Inspector may require documented moisture test results before flooring installation is approved to proceed.
Where this goes wrong
A contractor installs LVT flooring over a concrete slab without testing its moisture emission rate, assuming enough time has passed since the pour. Trapped moisture vapor breaks down the adhesive bond within a few months, and large sections of flooring begin bubbling and lifting, requiring the flooring to be removed and reinstalled once the slab actually dries out.
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