Help Vinyl Floor Has Huge Bubble!

pixie340

my kitchen floor has been down about 5 years. in the past month it developed a slight "lump" and a squeak ,felt like a loose board. then it rapidly went from bad to worse- 3ft by 2ft bubble. when you walk on it it gives. It was installed over luan. Is it possible that the luan has buckled?? There is also a smaller bubble on the other side of the kitchen. This is on the second floor over the laundry room. Please help!

Tom R

Sounds to me like your luanne de-laminated, - - in other words, - - the glue between the layers gave up it's grip, - - sometimes installers use interior luanne instead of the exterior that should be used, - - in any event, - - time for a new floor.

housedocs

Sure sounds like a subfloor problem to me, probably caused by water getting to the subfloor sheeting, luan huh, never cared for it as an undelayment.

__________________
"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure". -Mark Twain

ccoffer

sounds like a leak to me.

Floorwizard

Luan has been known to be a part of alot of problems.
Manufacturers usually drop warranties when it's used.
I suggest tearout of underlay, reinstall new AC Plywood, and then a new sheet of vinyl.
you should be good.

__________________
------------------------
"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

pixie340

we opened up the "bubble" and there is deffinently moisture between the layers of luan. pulled the dishwasher stove etc. cannot find a leak. we did have a leak under the sink a few years ago, could moisture have been trapped that long and only now causing a problem??? thank you for all the responses!

ProWallGuy

Could it be steam/humidity from the washer/dryer below?

__________________
Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

Tom R

Yes, - - it definitely could have, - - and probably did cause the problem, - - and I think ProWallGuy's theory was also a contributing factor, - - that was also my initial thought before you had mentioned any leak.