New flooring can transform the look and comfort of your home—but only if it’s installed correctly. If the work is rushed or poorly executed, issues will quickly appear. Whether you’ve chosen luxury vinyl tile (LVT), carpet, or laminate flooring, spotting early signs of poor installation helps you take action before bigger problems develop.
LVT: Key Signs of Installation Mistakes
Luxury vinyl tile is popular for its resilience and water resistance. However, even tough materials like LVT rely on correct fitting to perform well.
- Gaps Between Tiles or Planks
Poorly aligned tiles leave noticeable spaces. These gaps collect dirt and moisture, which can lead to mould and further lifting.
- Edges Curling or Lifting
When corners peel or edges lift, it often means the installer didn’t use enough adhesive or failed to prepare the subfloor properly.
- Uneven or Soft Spots
If parts of the floor feel uneven or spongy underfoot, the installer may have skipped proper levelling of the base layer.
- Noisy Planks
Clicking or creaking sounds while walking typically mean the planks haven’t been clicked in securely or lie loosely on an uneven surface.
Carpet: Warning Signs of a Poor Fit
Carpet offers warmth and softness, especially in bedrooms and living areas. But if the installer cuts corners, the flaws become obvious.
- Rippling or Buckling
A properly stretched carpet stays smooth and flat. When it ripples or forms waves, the fitter likely didn’t use a power stretcher.
- Visible Seams or Frayed Joins
Well-fitted carpet has nearly invisible joins. If seams stand out or begin to fray, the installation lacked care and precision.
- Loose or Exposed Edges
Edges should tuck neatly under the skirting or hold firmly with grippers. If they lift easily, the fitter didn’t secure them properly.
- Uneven Underlay
If the carpet feels bumpy or inconsistent, the underlay may have shifted or been installed unevenly.
Laminate: Common Indicators of Poor Installation
Laminate flooring is stylish and affordable, but it requires accuracy during installation. When fitted poorly, faults appear quickly.
- Gaps or Raised Edges
Boards should lock tightly together. Visible gaps or overlapping edges suggest the installer didn’t connect them correctly.
- Planks Lifting
Laminate needs space to expand and contract. When planks lift at the corners, it often means the installer skipped the expansion gap.
- Movement or Creaking
Loose or noisy boards usually point to a poorly prepared subfloor or misaligned underlay.
- Pattern Misalignment
Many laminate designs have repeating woodgrain or tile patterns. When these don’t align, it spoils the appearance and reveals a rushed job.
Conclusion
Poor flooring installation leads to obvious and avoidable problems. Whether you see curling vinyl tiles, buckled carpet, or shifting laminate planks, these signs show that something went wrong during fitting. Addressing these issues early protects your investment and helps restore both comfort and appearance. A skilled installer can advise whether repairs are possible or if a full refit is the better option.