How to Repair a Seam on a Vinyl Floor

Vinyl floor seams that have come unglued should be fixed immediately to prevent further damage. When not glued in place, foot traffic can destroy the edge of the vinyl, making it nearly impossible to create a seamless floor. In addition, gaps in the vinyl flooring can allow water to seep into the subflooring and create permanent damage.

Things You'll Need

• Vinyl adhesive
• Seam sealer
• Vacuum
• Masking tape
• Wood block
• Damp cloth
• Wax paper
• Stack of books

Instructions

1. Purchase a seam-sealing kit and vinyl adhesive from your local home improvement store. Make sure the kit comes in a finish that matches your floor.

2. Clean the area around the open seam thoroughly by vacuuming underneath the vinyl tile and scraping away any dried glue build-up from the prior installation. If the vinyl tile won't bend easily enough to clean underneath, heat the tile with a hairdryer to loosen. It is important to get rid of every speck of dirt; even one grain of sand can create a small bump in the flooring.

3. Protect the area surrounding the ripped seam by covering it with masking tape so that only the broken seam is exposed.

4. Apply the adhesive to the underside of the vinyl tile and press down to create a bond with the subfloor. Use a block of wood to smooth the surface. Apply weight while you wipe away any excess adhesive with a damp cloth.

5. Place a piece of wax paper followed by a piece of plywood and a stack of books or other weighted objects onto the wet seam and let it dry for at least 10 hours.

6. Remove the weight from the seam and apply the seam sealant in a straight line along the mended seam.

Tips & Warnings

• If there has been extensive damage to the floor and it can't be resealed properly, you'll need to also purchase a metal transition strip and install it over the damaged vinyl. These strips are commonly installed in doorways and other areas of the home where there is a transition between vinyl, carpeting or hardwood flooring.

References

• Repair and Reglue Sheet Vinyl