Yes. Most houses in Jacksonville sit on a concrete slab, and vinyl plank is one of the most common floors we put over one. The plank itself is waterproof. A spill, a wet dog, or a mopped floor won't make it swell the way laminate or wood would.
But "waterproof plank" and "waterproof floor" aren't the same thing. Florida slabs pull moisture up from the ground all year, and the plank can only do its job if the slab underneath is dry enough, flat enough, and has a vapor barrier between it and the plank. When the waterproof stuff fails, it's almost always because of what's under it, not the plank.
We've been putting floors on Jacksonville slabs for 30+ years. Here's what actually matters.
Good vinyl plank won't soak up water. That's why it works so well in Florida kitchens, laundry rooms, and houses with pets and pools. What it can't do is stop moisture coming up through the concrete from the ground. That moisture has to go somewhere. If there's no barrier and no way for it to escape, it can get trapped under the floor, where it can lead to musty smells and planks that don't sit right.
Water also finds its way in from the edges: a leaking dishwasher, a shower that splashes past the tub, a pool door left open in a storm. The plank won't be hurt, but water sitting under it is still water sitting under your floor. For the full comparison of which floors hold up to water, see waterproof vs water-resistant flooring.
Floor prep is part of our all-in vinyl plank price. We usually spot slab problems at the measure, so they're on your written price up front. In the rare case something bigger turns up once the old floor comes up, like cracked concrete or old glue that won't come off, we stop and tell you on site, with a price, before we keep going. More on that in what if the subfloor needs work.
A brand-new slab can hold a lot of water. Concrete takes a long time to dry out, and a new house that goes from build to move-in fast can still be drying from the inside. Some people are surprised by this. It seems like a new house should be the easiest floor in the world to cover. It's the reason we test every slab, new or old, and talk through the reading with you before we start.
Testing is how you find the slab that isn't ready yet, and it's a lot better to find that out before the floor is down than after.
Our vinyl plank runs $8–$17 per square foot all-in: material, install, floor prep, vapor barrier, quarter round, the strips between rooms, and furniture moving. Good is $8–10, Better is $10–13, and Best is $13–17. About 800 square feet usually comes out around $6,400–$10,400.
Tearing out the old floor is separate: $0.35 a square foot for carpet, $0.75 for old sheet vinyl, vinyl plank, or laminate, and $4.00 for tile or hardwood. Tile costs more to remove because it has to be broken up off the slab and the slab cleaned up underneath. See our vinyl plank installation page for styles and colors.
“Their crew was on time, careful with our furniture, and clearly knew what they were doing, no shortcuts, no mess left behind.”
— Zach, vinyl plank and bathroom tile, Google review
“We elected to have them jack-up all of our old ceramic tile, which is typically not a pleasant experience. But, Gator's install crew did a great job with getting it done fast”
— Jennifer, vinyl plank throughout her first floor, Google review
Yes, with prep. Vinyl plank is one of the most common floors over Florida slabs, but it needs a vapor barrier between the slab and the plank, a moisture test first, and a slab flat enough that the planks do not flex.
The plank itself is waterproof and will not swell from spills or mopping. The floor as a whole is only as good as the install. Moisture coming up from the slab, or water getting under the edges, can still cause problems if the slab is not prepped and protected.
Over a concrete slab, yes. Florida slabs pull moisture up from the ground all year. Gator Carpet and Tile includes the vapor barrier in its vinyl plank price of $8 to $17 per square foot all-in.
Usually because the slab underneath has dips or humps that were not leveled before install. The planks flex over the low spots, which feels hollow and can break the click joints over time. Moisture under the floor can also cause planks to sit unevenly. Leveling is priced by the job based on how much compound it takes; about one bag per 200 square feet is average.
Gator Carpet and Tile installs vinyl plank for $8 to $17 per square foot all-in, including floor prep, vapor barrier, quarter round, transitions, and furniture moving. About 800 square feet runs roughly $6,400 to $10,400. Removing old tile is $4.00 per square foot extra.
Book a free in-home measure. It takes about 20 minutes, and you get a written all-in price for vinyl plank, prep and vapor barrier included.
Get a Free Estimate Call 904-262-7304