Water
Is SPC flooring waterproof?
Yes. SPC planks are 100% waterproof. The important part is knowing exactly what that sentence covers, because a waterproof plank is not a waterproof room.
Short answer
The plank itself is waterproof: its stone-plastic core has no wood fiber, so water cannot make it swell, soften or delaminate. Water that sneaks past the perimeter and runs beneath the planks, water rising through the subfloor, vapor coming up out of a slab, and plumbing leaks are a different problem. They still need to be stopped and dried, because a floating floor is not a moisture barrier.
What "100% waterproof" covers
- Spills and splashes at the sink, dishwasher and tub, wiped up in normal time
- Damp mopping with the cleaner your product's care guide allows
- Pet accidents and water bowls, cleaned up promptly
- The plank surviving a soak. If planks get wet, they will not swell. That is why a plank can often be lifted, dried and reinstalled after a leak, which a wood-based floor rarely survives
What it doesn't cover
- Water that runs under the floor. Click joints and perimeter gaps are not sealed against standing water. Water that gets underneath sits on the subfloor, out of sight
- Slab moisture. Concrete can push water vapor up from below. The plank will not care, but trapped moisture under it can lead to odor, mold or problems with adhesives and pads. Test the slab before you install. See SPC over a concrete slab
- Mold after a leak. Mold grows on wet organic material and dust under a floor, and on drywall and baseboards. The plank being waterproof does nothing for the wall cavity next to it
- Everything around the floor: baseboards, door casings, cabinets and the subfloor are not waterproof
If you have a leak
- Stop the water at its source and shut off the supply if needed.
- Remove standing water and wipe the surface dry.
- If water ran under the floor, it has to come out. Pull the baseboard and lift planks from the nearest wall so the subfloor can dry. Floating click floors are made to be taken apart this way; slide the joints apart rather than prying, so the locks don't break.
- For anything more than a small spill (a supply line, a water heater, a slab leak), call a water-mitigation company to dry the area properly before the floor goes back down.
Waterproof SPC vs "water-resistant" laminate
Laminate looks similar from above, but its core is high-density fiberboard: wood fiber pressed with resin. Many laminates now have water-resistant surfaces, treated cores or tighter joints, and they hold up well to everyday spills for a period of time. But wood fiber that soaks long enough will swell, and swollen fiber does not shrink back. SPC's core cannot swell because there is no fiber in it. The Lab's Water Test tank below shows the difference.
The 3D Lab
The Water Test tank
Fill the tank and watch both boards soak.
Pick a layer to read what it does.
Illustration, exaggerated for clarity. Real movement is far smaller and depends on the product and the room.
The 3D Lab stays off on this device (reduced motion, data saver, low memory or no WebGL2). The illustration above and the text on this page cover the same ground.
Where a waterproof plank makes the most sense
Kitchens, laundry rooms, hall baths, entries from the pool or yard, and any house with pets. In full bathrooms, follow the installation guide's details around tubs and toilets; some guides call for a flexible sealant in the perimeter gap in wet areas.
When you are ready to see waterproof boards in person, see the waterproof SPC lines at Vegas Flooring Outlet.
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See SPC in person at Vegas Flooring Outlet
Walk the full-size boards at 4039 Spring Mountain Rd, compare wear layers side by side, take samples home, and book a free in-home measure.