How to Repair Damaged Sheet-Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl-floor manufacturers typically offer extensive stain-removal guides, but if your sheet flooring is permanently stained or damaged, you can cut out the damaged area and patch it.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Flooring Material
• Seam Coater Or Sealer
• Wallpaper Roller
• Adhesive And Notched 1/16-inch (2-mm) Disposable Spreader
• Reinforced Masking Tape
• Vacuum
• Rolling Pin
• Utility Knife With New Blades
• Chisel
• Stiff-blade Putty Knife
• Straightedge

Patching a fully adhered floor

1. 

   Cut an oversize patch of flooring saved from the installation with a utility knife (see A). If you don't have any, you can cut some from a hidden area. Use tape to place the patch over the soiled area after carefully aligning the patch's pattern with the floor's.

2. 

   With a straightedge as a guide, slice through the two layers (see B). Use a new blade and a firm stroke to assure a single, clean cut. Lift off the patch and pry up the adhered damaged section with a stiff-blade putty knife. Scrape off all adhesive from the substrate with a chisel. Don't damage the seam edges.

3. Test-fit the patch. Apply adhesive to it with a notched 1/16-inch (2-mm) disposable spreader and press the patch into place with a rolling pin. Wipe up any adhesive that squirts from the seam. After 30 minutes, apply the recommended seam coater or sealer with the applicator provided. Don't walk near the repair for 24 hours.

Patching a perimeter-fastened floor

1. Apply reinforced masking tape 2 inches (5 cm) wide on the outside edge of the pattern you're removing to limit shrinkage when you make the cut. Double-cut as described above, and vacuum the underlayment in and around the cutout section.

2. Lift up the flooring to apply a light coat of adhesive 4 inches (10 cm) wide and centered on the seam. Firmly press the flooring into the adhesive and roll it with a rolling pin. Level the seam with a wallpaper roller.

3. After 30 minutes, apply the recommended seam coater or sealer with the applicator provided.

Tips & Warnings

• Some vinyl tile, tile backing and adhesive installed prior to the mid-1970s may contain dangerous asbestos. If your floor is this old, obtain a copy of the booklet "Asbestos in Your Home" by calling the Environmental Protection Agency at [phone] or downloading it from www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/asbestos.html.

• Seam sealers are very flammable. Extinguish all flames, including pilot lights in the area, and open windows and doors for ventilation.