Fast Fixes for Vinyl Floors

By: Merle Henkenius (Page 2 of 3)

Photos by: Merle Henkenius

A snagged chair leg floor ripped open this section of sheet-vinyl flooring. The remedy is to install a replacement patch.

Secure the replacement patch over the damaged area with 2-in.-wide masking tape. Be sure the pattern lines match.

Use a straightedge and utility knife to cut through the patch and the flooring below. For a neater repair, cut along pattern lines.

Remove the damaged section of flooring and spread mastic onto the plywood subfloor with a notched trowel.

Press the replacement patch onto the mastic, cover it with wax paper and then weigh it down with a few books.

Mix equal amounts of the two-part seam sealer. Then squeeze it into the joints using the special applicator bottle.

Pry up the damaged tile with a stiff-blade putty knife after softening the tile's adhesive with an electric heat gun.

Scrape the subfloor completely clean of all residual adhesive and bits of broken tile so the replacement tile lies perfectly flat.

Peel the protective paper off the back surface of the replacement tile to expose its pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Set one edge of the tile in place, then slowly lower the tile onto the subfloor. Firmly press it down with a rolling pin.

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PATCHING SHEET VINYL
To repair flooring using the double-cutting technique, start by taping the replacement patch over the damaged area (photo 2). Be sure to position the patch so that its pattern aligns exactly with the pattern on the flooring. Place a straightedge (a steel rule or framing square works well) on top of the patch. Line it up right in the center of one of the pattern lines. Then use a utility knife to cut along the straightedge through both the patch and the flooring (photo 3). For best results, use a brand-new blade and hold the knife in a perfectly vertical position. Make the remaining cuts around the patch the same way, cutting along the flooring's pattern lines.

Next, remove the patch and peel up the damaged section. If your floor is perimeter-bonded, the piece will come up easily because it isn't glued down. If it's fully adhered, scrape up the piece with a putty knife or scraper. Proceed by spreading mastic onto the plywood subfloor with a notched trowel. On perimeter-bonded floors, also lift up the flooring around the cutout and spread mastic under the edges (photo 4). Then press the patch into place (photo 5), cover it with wax paper and weigh it down with a few heavy books. Wait at least 24 hours for the mastic to dry. Then apply liquid seam sealer to all the joints around the patch (photo 6). The result will be nearly undetectable.