How to Patch a Vinyl Floor

You can repair or replace vinyl sheet flooring and vinyl tiles with excellent results if you know the proper technique.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Replacement Vinyl
• Brooms
• Masking Tape
• Sponges
• Masking Tape
• Blow Dryers
• Rolling Pins Or Hand Roller
• Vinyl Adhesives
• Pencils
• Pencils
• Yardsticks
• Utility Knife
• Utility Knife
• Putty Knives Or Notched Trowel
• Scrapers
• Straightedges
• Pencils
• Sponges

1. Measure the damaged area.

2. Find a lumberyard, home-improvement center or floor-covering supply house that carries the pattern of vinyl flooring you need. Purchase enough sheeting or tile squares to repair the damaged area. (Always keep any scraps for future repairs.)

3. Use a sharp utility knife to cut a piece of new vinyl flooring that is larger than the damaged area if you're repairing sheet vinyl flooring. Use a straightedge to keep the blade vertical. Replace whole squares if you're using 12-by-12-inch square tiles.

4. Line up the pattern of the new piece with the pattern along the edges of the damaged area.

5. Tape the replacement piece of vinyl over the damaged area with masking tape. (Make sure the new piece is secure and will not slip when cutting.)

6. Use a sharp utility knife to cut through both layers of vinyl. Cut an area just larger than the damaged spot. (This way the hole and replacement piece will be the same size.)

7. Remove both pieces of vinyl. Heat the old vinyl with a blow dryer to soften the adhesive before prying it up.

8. Clean debris and old adhesive from the floor with a putty knife. You can soften the old adhesive with a heat gun or blow dryer. Use a broom or vacuum cleaner for final cleaning.

9. Apply adhesive to the floor with a notched trowel or putty knife.

10. Press the new patch firmly in place starting at the center and working toward the edges to get all the air bubbles out from under the patch.

11. Wipe excess glue from the edges with a damp sponge.

12. Roll the patch firmly with a rolling pin or hand roller. Wipe the edges one more time to remove any excess glue.

13. Let the adhesive dry well before allowing heavy traffic back in the repaired area.

Tips & Warnings

• The cleaner the floor under the patch, the smoother the finished job will be. Any raised areas will wear faster than the rest of the floor.
• Some adhesive can have potentially harmful vapor - provide proper ventilation in your work area.
• Always make sure to cut away from your body when cutting vinyl flooring.

on 11/22/2005 If the floor under the tile is damaged by water or something else, you can paint it with an oil based primer before laying the glue. Give it time to dry first!