How to Repair Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is well-known for its resiliency. It’s sturdy against general wear and tear. But even though it stands up well to abuse, it’s not invincible.

Damage happens, even on the toughest pieces of vinyl. When it does, you want to know how to repair vinyl flooring damaged by basic wear and tear without starting over from scratch.

There are many types of vinyl flooring. The way you make repairs to the vinyl will depend on what type you have. Here are quick guides for each style of vinyl flooring to help you have an easier time making repairs.

Minor Scratches & Imperfections

Minor scratches and imperfections can easily be fixed with liquid seam sealer or a vinyl repair kit sold at any home improvement store. All you will need to do is fill in the scratch with the liquid seam sealer and let it dry. Follow the repair kit directions to get an exact match for the vinyl!

Floating Vinyl Floors

Many floors “float” these days. That means they planks or tiles click together over the subfloor instead of getting glued down.

If your vinyl flooring is floated, you can unhook the undamaged planks or tiles until you reach the one that needs to be replaced. Then, you can easily make the replacement with your spare vinyl flooring before reapplying the original, undamaged pieces.

Here’s how:

  1. Find the closest wall to the damaged plank. You want to unclick as few vinyl pieces as possible to reach the one that needs to be replaced.
  2. Remove the baseboards.
  3. Start lifting and unhooking the vinyl flooring from the wall toward the damaged area.
  4. Remove the damaged plank or tile and replace it with one that has been acclimatized to your room (It’s helpful to save any leftover planks from installation).
  5. Click the planks or tiles back into place. Push them down to ensure they lock securely.
  6. Reinstall the baseboards.

Glue-Down Vinyl Floors

If your vinyl flooring was glued down, you can’t unclick it and only replace one tile. You need to take a different approach in repairing the damaged area.

To do this, you’ll need to cut a small section along the “grout” lines. Here’s how to do it with minimal risk for further damage.

  1. Measure the replacement patch you’ll use to replace the tile or plank area.
  2. Tape the piece over the damaged area. Make sure it is perfectly aligned with the pattern.
  3. Use a heat gun or blow dryer to heat the tile, allowing the adhesive to loosen.
  4. With a utility knife, cut the patch using the tile as a guideline.
  5. Position the new piece of vinyl in its new area. Use double-sided tape to ensure it does not slip or slide out of place.
  6. Use a seam roller to push down on the edges and secure it in place.

Repairing your vinyl floor might seem like an impossible job. With the right tools and these instructions you’ll be able to make any repairs you need and have a beautiful looking floor for years to come.

Have questions? Need a little bit of extra help? We’re here for you. Start a chat with one of our flooring experts in the box on this page and get a fast answer to your vinyl flooring questions.

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