The IICRC WRT body of knowledge explains thatsheet vinyl flooring acts as a vapor barrier, significantly restricting moisture vapor movement from the subfloor beneath it. Because evaporation is inhibited, subflooring beneath vinyl cannot be effectively dried while the covering remains intact.

As a result, the WRT manual states that the most effective and reliable method is toremove and discard the vinyl flooringto allow direct access for drying. This enables airflow, temperature control, and dehumidification to act directly on the wet subfloor.

Perforating vinyl is unreliable and may cause additional damage without ensuring adequate vapor release. Placing an air mover at an edge does not overcome the vapor barrier effect. Simply adding equipment without removing the barrier does not resolve the drying limitation.

Removing vinyl aligns with the WRT principle that vapor barriers must be addressed to achieve effective drying and prevent hidden moisture from causing secondary damage.