How to Repair or Replace a Vinyl Floor
Vinyl floor tiles that are damaged or coming loose can be handled in one of two ways: You can replace just the tiles that are damaged or loose, or you can use the opportunity to pull up the rest of the tiles and replace the whole floor. For the first approach, take a sample tile to your floor dealer, get a match, and install the tiles where needed, with adhesive. Replacing the whole floor is a more involved project, but can dramatically transform the room. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Floor scraper
- Razor scraper
- Broom
- Tape measure
- Chalk snap line
- Carpenter's square
- Floor tile adhesive
- Notched tiling trowel
- Tile cutter
Instructions
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1
Take up the old tiles with a floor scraper, getting under one, popping it up, then working out from there on the edges of each of the remaining tiles. Follow up with a razor scraper to take up any residual material.
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2
Sweep the floor of all dust and debris, using a broom.
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3
Divide the floor into four quadrants with a chalk snap line, with two intersecting lines. Set a carpenter's square at the intersection and adjust the lines as needed to be square.
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4
Apply floor tile adhesive over a few square feet of the floor, at the intersection of the lines, using a notched trowel. The lines should still be visible through the adhesive.
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Press a vinyl tile into the adhesive, in one of the corners formed by the lines. Use your palms to press it down firmly.
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Lay additional tiles off the first one, butting the edges tightly together. Build out from the center toward the edges of the room in a grid pattern, spreading more adhesive as needed. Cut the end tiles at the perimeter of the floor on your tile cutter to fit. Let the tiles set for 12 hours before walking on them.
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