q about vinyl plank flooring

[Anonymous]

I'm asking about this for my son. He's an adult and rarely accepts my information as fact but sometimes it works. He also has anxiety and OCD traits have always been pretty strong.

So he had vinyl plank flooring installed last fall. lately there is very slight gaps opening up, which can be attributed to some major structural work that turned out to be needed during a remodel (he bought the house 3 years ago and moved in 2 years ago, and it was built in the 1880s). I think the brand is Stonecrest.
First thing he noticed was a very thin clear layer was peeling off in some areas. Not sure what kind of coating is used but seems like that could be the case, but would not expect it to peel.
Since then he has noticed spots that on first glance look look like they could be part of the wood grain pattern (it's a light wood pattern with a lot of grain) but if he scrubs hard they come up. I don't know how deep into the vinyl the coloring goes, so I don't know if he could actually be scrubbing away some of it--he's been scrubbing on hands and knees because he says not all dirt gets picked up by the mop pad and Bona. I can sort of make out some areas that just look like faint smudges as well.
I suggested applying a sealant, to which his response was flooring is not supposed to need that and he thinks entire floor needs to be replaced.

So end result--any experience with this kind of flooring, what it us susceptible to, what they don't tell you about care and maintenance?

[Anonymous]

Just back off and let him handle his own floor. I’m sure he can call the manufacturer. You don’t need to be involved in this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just back off and let him handle his own floor. I’m sure he can call the manufacturer. You don’t need to be involved in this.

I was not looking for advice about family relationships. I was looking for what people who are familiar with the flooring experience. Yes, it is a product question the manufacturer be able to advise him on (or not). But real world experiences are also helpful.

[Anonymous]

THs sounds like an oCD thing

[Anonymous]

Are the planks separating and now there are gaps between the planks? If so, they were not properly installed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the planks separating and now there are gaps between the planks? If so, they were not properly installed.

If he had structural work done, the flooring can separate.

[Anonymous]

Op, what kind of meds he is on. I think this is not as big of an issue that parents need to be involved for a grown up son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, what kind of meds he is on. I think this is not as big of an issue that parents need to be involved for a grown up son.

For years I wasn't, but he also developed a lot of serious medical problems in the last couple of years so the situation has changed drastically (he is currently getting SS disability) and his coping abilities have declined. There's a fair amount of help he just needs with daily stuff and that's the reality. There's no real med for OCD-he takes Buspar but with the medical stuff includes things with some neuro effects and side effects. Before this stuff happened, he would call to say hi and catch up or drop in once a week or two. As for the floor, it is hard for me to tell what could be a problem with the product vs someone's obsession, I have never had this flooring (his is also a very light colored wood pattern). There definitely was an area where some very very thin (too thin to be wear layer) was peeling off, similar to a peeling sunburn No idea what that coating would have been. I did so some research to learn about this type of flooring and told him to call and find out what thickness the wear layer is supposed to be. And if there's gaps (too narrow to put a steak knife in, but you can see if you get down to look) a sealant designed for the product would be a good idea I think. Anyway, he is not using a rough pad or any scouring chemicals, just the mop pad, so it's unlikely he's damaging the pattern at all.