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How to fix
larger tears and burns in vinyl flooring
LARGER TEARS AND BURNS
If you have larger tears or burns, you will need to do a
little bit more.
Repairing a section of vinyl flooring is closely related
to replacing a ceramic tile, except that you make the
“tiles.” You will cut out the damaged area and glue in a
patch cut from matching flooring. Here’s how.
How to fix larger tears and burns in vinyl flooring:
1. Clean the section of flooring to be replaced thoroughly
with soap and water or lacquer thinner. Then wait until it
is completely dry.
2. Take a piece of replacement flooring and cut it
slightly larger than the damaged area. If the flooring is checkered or patterned, make sure your replacement piece
matches the pattern.
3. Place this piece over the damaged floor and secure it
to the floor with masking tape.
4. Take a utility knife and carefully cut through both
sections of flooring. This will ensure that your re
placement piece will be the exact same size. Use your
ruler to make straight lines if you have a straight
pattern. If you have an asymmetrically patterned floor
(like flowers), trace around an item in the pattern.
Following the pattern (such as cutting around a flower)
will hide any seams that might otherwise show.
5. Remove the masking tape and both pieces of flooring.
Discard the damaged piece. If the piece is stuck to the
floor, use your utility knife to pry the edges free, and
scrape underneath with a scraper until you have set it
free.
6. Make sure the area underneath the removed piece is
clean and free of debris. You may need to scrap off any
old glue.
7. Wearing rubber gloves take vinyl adhesive with your
notched trowel and spread it on the area. If the area is
too small to use a trowel, use a fork to create similar
lines. Look at the manufacturer’s instructions on the
adhesive and allow it to set up for the appropriate amount
of time.
8. When the adhesive is ready, carefully set the
replacement piece of vinyl in place. Press on it lightly
and gently. With a damp cloth, wipe away any excess
adhesive that creeps up.
9. If you press too hard on vinyl it will pick up
irregular pressure and make a dent. The best way to set
the patch level and into place is to cover it with a cloth
and put a flat-surfaced weight on top of it, such as a
large book. Keep this weight in place for as long as the
manufacturer’s instructions indicate the adhesive needs to
completely cure.
10. When the vinyl is cured (it may take a couple of
days), remove the weight and the cloth. Clean away any
excess adhesive with a damp cloth. You may need to re move
pesky adhesive with lacquer thinner.
11. Use your finger (wearing a rubber glove) and lightly
smooth out the edges, if needed.
Too big to repair? When vinyl flooring is badly
worn or the damage is widespread, the only answer is
complete replacement. Although it’s possible to add layers
of flooring in some situations, it probably won’t look
that great.
TIPS:
- Keep dirt from getting trapped
in grout lines by sealing them about once a year.
- Small cracks in the grout can
easily be fixed. Major cracks in grout joints, however,
indicate that movement of the floor may be at fault.
Whenever you remove tile, check the Underlayment. If
it’s no longer smooth, solid, and level, repair or
replace it before replacing the tile.
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