If you claim in ads that your plastic-based flooring is waterproof, water resistant, or can be used in areas where flooring gets wet, take note: Tests conducted at labs run by Clemson University and the Tile Council of North America found that all 25 products they examined supported mold growth.

Twenty-two of the 25 products came with product warranties disclaiming damage from mold or excessive moisture, the study’s authors note. On the other hand, ceramic tiles tested didn’t support mold growth.

The plastic-based product category includes LVT, LVP, WPC, stone polymer composite, clay polymer composite, and rigid core board. The authors suggested the products that grew mold should contain warnings promoting dry use only, or at least indicate the possibility of potential mold growth. Read more >