There’s no denying that it can be difficult to learn how to prevent dents in vinyl plank flooring, but we’ve researched the best methods available to give you all the knowledge you need.
Our favorite method is to take lots of care when moving heavy items, particularly furniture, as this is the most common reason for dents in the first place.
This isn’t the only solution though, so keep reading to find out the causes for dents in vinyl plank flooring, and the other precautions you can take to prevent them.
What Causes Dents On Vinyl Plank Flooring?
To understand how to prevent dents in vinyl plank flooring it is crucial to first know the causes for dents, as this will make preventing them much easier.
Moving Heavy Objects
If you have ever moved a large piece of furniture you will understand just how heavy it can be.
When combined with the fact that most furniture has 4 legs, there is a lot of force going through a small area. If you place a piece of furniture down too quickly while moving this can be a recipe for dents.
Other heavy objects such as washing machines and fridges are just the same – you really need to be cautious when handling heavy objects around vinyl plank flooring.
Office Chairs
Another source of dents can be office chairs, especially those that aren’t protected correctly with caster wheels.
Just think about how often you move around on your office chair, and how much weight that is putting through each of the wheels. Over time the vinyl below will become damaged and eventually dented.
Heavy Objects In General
Some stationary objects that are heavy can cause dents over time just through the amount of force that they apply to the floor below over time.
This is very uncommon, but it can occur if there are structural problems with the floor, to begin with.
Easy Ways To Stop Dents On Vinyl Plank Flooring
Let’s have a look at the some actionable steps you can take to keep your floor free from dents.
Take Care When Moving Heavy Items
Whenever you need to move heavy objects such as furniture, fridges or other appliances make sure to place them down as gently as possible.
While vinyl plank flooring does have a large weight limit, this can be exceeded momentarily if you place something heavy on it with force behind.
Protect Chairs And Other Furniture With Caster Cups/Furniture Pads
Office chairs and furniture legs are also places where dents are likely to happen, so you should protect them with appropriate furniture pads or caster cups.
Other heavy stationary objects like fridges or washing machines should also have protection to keep the floor below safe.
What Problems Can Dents Cause?
If you have dented your vinyl plank flooring you may be wondering how serious the problem is. Luckily, dents are not a huge problem but they can cause some problems over the long run that you should be aware of.
Damages The Seal
If you have indentations on your vinyl plank flooring this means that the seal is likely broken.
This layer keeps moisture out and provides protection for the layers below, so if it becomes damaged then your floor becomes more vulnerable to moisture damage and scratches.
In day to day life, this means you will need to take more care when cleaning your floor, as well as cleaning up any spills near to the indentations as soon as possible.
Aesthetic
Aside from damage to the seal, dents are not aesthetically pleasing at all.
This is more of a personal preference, but if you are concerned about the way your floor looks then dents certainly won’t make it look any better. Luckily most dents are caused by moving furniture, which means they should be well hidden by furniture legs.
Trip Hazards
Dents are naturally a trip hazard, especially larger ones.
An uneven surface is never something that you want, and it can be particularly dangerous for elderly people as well.
Can You Get Indentations Out Of Vinyl Plank Flooring?
We always recommend getting in touch with a flooring specialist if you encounter dents on your vinyl plank flooring.
However, if you are confident with DIY methods and want to give them a try for yourself, there is a method that you can use that requires a heat gun and putty knife. Please only try this method if you are willing to take a risk, and we assume no responsibility for any damage you may cause.
Simply follow the steps below if you want to get an indentation out for yourself.
- Apply gentle heat with a heat gun from a safe distance away, usually a foot or two. Make sure to heat very slowly, as you can damage the vinyl if you overheat.
- Begin working the indentation out using the putty knife, working from the outside towards the centre. Take care with how much pressure you apply, and use the blunt end so you don’t cause any scratches.
- While working the indentation out keep heating very gently, and eventually, the dent should disappear.
Final Thoughts
Although you can get indentations out of vinyl plank flooring with a DIY method, it is much easier to prevent them in the first place.
If you have any other techniques that you have tried then please get in touch and let us know.