5 Flooring Mistakes We See Every Week (And How to Avoid Them)

We get the calls almost daily.

A homeowner frustrated because the flooring they bought online and installed is now gapping.
A business owner dealing with buckling and worried an employee or customer is going to trip. 
Someone who thought they were saving money… now facing a much bigger problem.

And almost every time, it comes back to the same thing—a missed step, a shortcut, or advice that didn’t quite tell the whole story.

Flooring is the foundation of your home or office.
Unlike your walls or ceilings, it’s in constant use—walked on, lived on, tested every single day.

So when something goes wrong, it doesn’t just impact how your space looks…
it affects how it functions.

After 50+ years in this business, we’ve seen just about everything.
Here are the five most common flooring mistakes we help people solve—and how to avoid them in the first place.

1. Skipping Subfloor Preparation 

Subfloor preparation is the most important part of your installation—and unfortunately, the part you can’t see under your existing flooring. 

With the rise of floating floors like laminate and luxury vinyl plank, subfloor condition matters more than ever. Any debris, movement, or unevenness underneath will translate directly to the surface.

That can mean:

• Squeaks and soft spots
• Visible imperfections
• Locking systems failing
• Cracking, buckling, or gapping

Even more importantly, manufacturers require specific flatness and moisture standards. If those aren’t met, warranties are often void.

We’ve seen it time and time again—skipping proper prep to “save money” almost always leads to repairs that cost far more than doing it right the first time.

2. Ignoring Moisture Levels

Moisture is one of the biggest threats to your flooring—and one of the most overlooked.

Unchecked moisture can cause:

• Warping, cupping, and buckling
• Adhesive failure
• Mold and mildew growth
• Damage to subfloors and surrounding materials

And yes—it will void your warranty.

For hardwood in particular, maintaining a stable indoor environment is critical:

• Relative humidity: 35%–50%
• Temperature: 60–80 degrees

Your flooring doesn’t live in isolation—it reacts to the environment around it.
Ignoring moisture is one of the fastest ways to shorten the life of your investment.

3. Improper Maintenance

This is where we see a lot of well-intentioned mistakes.

Walk down any cleaning aisle and you’ll find dozens of products claiming to be “safe for your floors.” But many of them either:

• Leave behind buildup that dulls your finish
• Or slowly strip the protective layer away

And then there are steam mops…

I cringe every time I see one advertised as safe for hardwood, laminate, or vinyl plank—because it simply isn’t.
Steam and flooring do not mix.

And a simple rule we always share:
Would you clean your great-grandmother’s wood furniture with a bucket of water?

Your wood floors are no different.
Treat them with the same care, and they’ll last for decades.

4. Not Acclimating Your Flooring

Acclimation is the step many people rush—or skip entirely.

It’s the process of allowing your flooring to adjust to the temperature and humidity of your home before installation.

Without it, you risk:

• Shrinking and gapping
• Buckling and expansion issues
• Long-term product failure

And once again—skipping this step can void your warranty.

Flooring needs time to “settle in” before it’s installed. Skipping that time can undo the entire project.

5. Improper Installation

This is the big one—and often a combination of all the others.

Improper installation can include:

• Skipping subfloor prep
• Ignoring moisture levels
• Failing to acclimate
• Using the wrong adhesives, fasteners, or underlayment
• Not allowing for proper expansion space
• Installing cabinets or islands over floating floors
• Poor carpet stretching or seaming

We’ve seen it all over the past five decades—and some of it is truly hard to believe.

If you’re installing yourself:
 Read the manufacturer guidelines
 Watch tutorials
 Ask professionals questions

If you’re hiring:
 Make sure they’re experienced and insured
 Or work with a trusted local business that stands behind their installers

Because installation isn’t just a step…
it’s the difference between a floor that lasts and one that fails.

Here’s the part we want every customer to know:

Most flooring problems aren’t product problems.
They’re process problems.

And they’re almost always preventable.

At Dave Griggs’ Flooring America, this is where we live.
We don’t just sell flooring—we guide you through every step:

✔️ Helping you choose the right product for your lifestyle
✔️ Ensuring proper subfloor prep and moisture testing
✔️ Coordinating experienced, trusted installers
✔️ Educating you on care so your floors last

Because we’ve seen what happens when those steps are skipped—and we believe you deserve better.

For over 50 years, our goal has been simple:  Do it right. Do it honestly. And stand behind it.

That’s why we’re proud to be the place where friends send friends. 

Together let's do it right the first time—even the parts no one sees. That’s where the difference is.

-Michele