Why LVT floors come loose (and how to prevent it in Spain)

Waarom PVC vloeren loslaten in Spanje (en hoe je dit voorkomt)

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) flooring is a popular choice for homes and apartments on the Costa Blanca. It is durable, low-maintenance, and performs well in the Spanish climate.

However, in practice, we regularly see LVT floors developing problems over time. Planks come loose, joints open up, or the floor starts to move.

Important to know:
This is almost never caused by the quality of the LVT itself.

In most cases, the problem lies beneath the floor.

The real problem is the subfloor

Many properties in Spain have concrete subfloors or existing tiled floors. At first glance, this seems like a solid base.

But appearances can be misleading.

Common issues we encounter:

  • subfloors that are not fully dry
  • residual moisture trapped beneath the leveling compound
  • poorly prepared existing tiles
  • weak adhesion between layers

LVT flooring is thin and follows exactly what happens underneath.
If the base is not right, problems will eventually appear.

Common mistakes when installing LVT flooring

These are the most frequent mistakes we see in failing installations:

1. Installing too soon after leveling

Leveling compound may feel dry on the surface but still contain moisture internally.

If flooring is installed too soon, that moisture has nowhere to go.

Result: adhesive failure and open joints.

2. No moisture testing

Surprisingly, this is often skipped in Spain.

Without testing, you simply don’t know what is happening in the subfloor.

And guessing with a floor worth thousands of euros is… not a great strategy.

3. Using the wrong adhesive

Not all adhesives are suitable for the Spanish climate.

High temperatures and fluctuations require the right adhesive choice.

The wrong adhesive can lose its grip over time.

4. Poor subfloor preparation

Dust, grease, old adhesive residues, or insufficient sanding lead to poor bonding.

It may seem like a minor detail, but this is exactly where things go wrong.

Why this happens more often in Spain

Climate plays a major role:

  • higher temperatures
  • faster surface drying
  • larger day-night temperature differences

This makes a floor appear “ready” much sooner than it actually is.

How to prevent LVT flooring from coming loose

The good news: this is almost always preventable.

Key steps:

  • properly assess the subfloor
  • perform moisture testing
  • use the correct primer and leveling compound
  • allow sufficient drying time
  • choose the right adhesive (fiber-reinforced or 2-component)
  • follow a proper installation system

Our approach at Port of Altea

We don’t start with the floor. We start with the foundation.

We assess the subfloor, perform measurements where needed, and only then determine the correct system and materials.

Sometimes that means slowing clients down.

Not always popular… but it’s why our floors stay in place.

Conclusion

An LVT floor that comes loose is almost never “bad luck”.

In most cases, it is caused by:

  • poor preparation
  • incorrect materials
  • working too fast

If you want an LVT floor that not only looks good at installation but still performs years later, everything starts with what you don’t see.

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