Posted on September 5rd, 2026

By John Cunningham, Certified Flooring Inspector | Cunningham Flooring Specialists

Most flooring failures don't start on installation day — they start in the slab.

A Case That Looked Fine Going In

We recently inspected a commercial LVP (luxury vinyl plank) installation that looked fine at the time it went in. Concrete moisture and pH both tested within range before installation.

Over three years later, the flooring started showing open joints, raised edges, and a hollow sound underfoot.

What We Found

When we investigated, we found white mineral deposits at the adhesive line — a classic sign of moisture working its way up through the slab over time.

Pre-construction photos showed no vapor barrier under the concrete. Without one, ground moisture can migrate through even a slab that "passed" testing on day one.

The Lesson

A moisture reading is a snapshot, not a guarantee. Conditions change, and a slab without a vapor barrier is a liability that may not show up for years.

If you're a contractor, dealer, or property owner dealing with a flooring claim, an independent inspection gives you documentation that holds up — not just an opinion.

Cunningham Flooring Specialists — Independent inspections. Unbiased results. Documentation that holds up.