In short: SPC flooring planks are fully waterproof but the click joints are only water resistant, so SPC suits kitchens and most bathrooms but not showers or open balconies. SPC costs KSh 2,200 to KSh 2,900 per sqm at Excel Deco, Summit House, Moi Avenue, Nairobi.

What waterproof means here

Soak an SPC plank in a bucket for a week and it comes out the same size. That is what makes it safe in kitchens and rentals where floors get mopped every day.

Where water can still cause trouble

Click joints are tight but not glued. A leak that sits for days can seep through to the screed. The SPC is unharmed but a damp base can smell or grow mould. Dry it out, re lay the planks and it is as good as new.

Bathrooms

SPC works in bathrooms if you seal the edges with silicone and avoid standing water around the shower. Tiles remain the safer choice in a wet room with no shower tray.

Compared with laminate

Laminate is a wood fibre board. One overnight spill lifts the edges for good. If water is a worry, SPC is the right choice.

What to do the moment water gets on your SPC floor

Spills happen. A pot boils over. The washing machine hose slips. A child knocks a jug off the table. The planks will not mind, but the joints and the floor below need a little help.

1. Stop the source. Turn off the tap or the machine first. Then deal with the floor.
2. Wipe the surface. Use a dry cloth or a squeegee. Push the water towards a door or drain, not towards the walls where the expansion gap sits.
3. Check the edges. Pull off the skirting or threshold strip near the wet spot if water ran under it.
4. Lift a few planks if needed. SPC clicks apart. Lift the row nearest the wall, dry the screed with a fan for a day and click the planks back.
5. Smell test. A damp smell a week later means water is still trapped. Lift again and dry for longer.

That last step is why we fit SPC as a floating floor with no glue. You can open it up, dry it and close it again without buying a single new plank.

Cost worked out: a kitchen in a two bedroom flat in Kilimani

Take a kitchen that measures 3 by 2.5 metres. That is 3 x 2.5 = 7.5 sqm. Add 8 percent for cuts around the cabinets and the door and you get 7.5 x 1.08 = 8.1 sqm.

• 4mm SPC at KSh 2,200: 8.1 x 2,200 = KSh 17,820
• 5mm SPC at KSh 2,500: 8.1 x 2,500 = KSh 20,250
• 6mm SPC at KSh 2,900: 8.1 x 2,900 = KSh 23,490

Fitting is quoted on WhatsApp once we see photos of the floor. For a kitchen, 5mm is a sensible middle choice. It feels solid under a fridge and takes daily mopping well. If the same flat also needs the living room done, ask for one quote so all the boxes come from one batch. Our kitchen flooring page shows the other options side by side.

A checklist before you lay SPC in a wet room

Most water problems with SPC start before the first plank goes down. Run through this list first.

• Fix any leaking pipe, sink trap or tap. A slow drip under a cabinet will find the joints.
• Check the screed is dry. New houses in Kitengela or Ruiru often have screed that is still curing. Lay a plastic sheet on it overnight. If the underside is wet in the morning, wait.
• Keep SPC out of the shower area itself. Stop it at the shower tray or tile step.
• Run a bead of clear silicone where the floor meets the bath or the shower step. This keeps splashes out of the edge gap.
• Put a mat at the sink and the bathroom door to catch drips. Our anti slip mat price guide lists sizes and prices.
• Leave the 8 to 10mm gap at every wall. Never fill it with grout or cement.

Wet spaces where we would pick something else

SPC is a strong choice for kitchens, laundry areas and most bathrooms. Still, it is not the answer to every wet space. Here is where we steer people elsewhere.

• Open balconies and rooftops. Rain sits on them for hours and sun bakes them. Go for grass or decking instead. See artificial grass for balconies.
• Car washes and wash bays. Water runs all day. Rubber mats made for the job are better.
• Inside the shower. Tiles stay king here.
• Ground floors with rising damp. Fix the damp first. No floor finish will cure it.

If you are still weighing up options, our guide to the best waterproof flooring in Kenya compares SPC, vinyl and rubber for each room.

Want to see it fitted before you buy?

Real jobs filmed on site by our team. Tap play and watch how the work is done.

Want the same in your space? Chat on WhatsApp

Shop the products on this page

SPC Flooring Click LockKSh 2,200Herringbone SPC FlooringKSh 2,799Laminate Flooring 8mm and 12mmKSh 1,799Commercial Carpet Tiles, Office & High Traffic Modular FlooringKSh 2,499

Questions buyers ask

Can SPC flooring be mopped?

Yes, daily if you like. Wring the mop out well.

Is SPC good for bathrooms?

Yes with sealed edges. Avoid floors that stay wet all day.

What about kitchens?

SPC is the most popular kitchen floor we sell. Spills wipe up and it does not stain.

What if there is a flood?

Lift the planks, dry the floor, click them back. The planks survive.

Does SPC swell if water gets under it?

No, the planks themselves do not swell because the core is waterproof. The risk is trapped water on the floor below, which can smell or grow mould, so lift the edge planks and dry it.

Can I use SPC on a balcony?

Only on a fully covered balcony. Open balconies and outdoor tiles get standing rain and strong sun, so artificial grass or WPC decking suits them better.

Do I need to seal the joints of SPC?

No, normal mopping and spills are fine without sealing. In a bathroom, a line of silicone where the floor meets the bath or shower step is a good extra step.

Shop and read next

• SPC click lock flooring
• Waterproof flooring options
• What is SPC flooring?
• Bathroom flooring