Problems With Peel 'N Stick Floor Tile

Also called self-adhesive vinyl tiles, peel and stick tiles are typically less expensive than traditional vinyl, costing about a dollar per square foot.

Bubbling

One of the most common problems with peel and stick tile is bubbling. Bubbling occurs after the flooring has been applied and typically refers to pockets of air that sometimes occur between tiles and the sub-floor. In most cases, bubbling is caused by poor initial adhesion due to a wide variety of factors, including an uneven sub-floor surface or excess moisture on the sub-floor surface.

Shifting

If you've installed peel and stick tiles and they've shifted, leaving gaps between the tiles, you probably left a space or gap somewhere when you installed the tile originally. Unlike laminate, self-adhesive vinyl tile is installed flush against each wall and spans the entire room or space. No excess gaps are left around the wall. If you left even the smallest gap between your wall and your tile due to a difficult cut or other factor, over time your vinyl tiles will shift, leaving gaps between the tiles.

Rolling Edges

Depending on the age and composition of your tiles, rolling edges can become a problem as self-adhesive vinyl tiles get older. The adhesive ages and releases at the corners. In some cases, adhesive may not stick, causing corners to roll from first installation, but this is typically only a problem with older or very poor quality brands.